Marvel's Spider-Man 2

I played Spider-Man 2018 on PS4, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorite games. It was incredible, and I had absolutely no complaints. This year, I played Spider-Man 2, which was also amazing. However, over time, I found myself getting bored. While it introduced a lot of new features and was packed with action, it felt repetitive. I started to miss the simplicity of Spider-Man 2018, along with its better story and perfectly paced rhythm. So, after beating Spider-Man 2, I decided to go back and play Spider-Man Remastered. Despite it being my third playthrough, I'm actually enjoying it more.

Spider man 2 should be a 10, but it's not. It has higher highs than the first game, but lower lows.

In terms of combat, if you enjoyed the previous game than you'll love this because it's even better, in fact, most mechanics in this game are great and improved from the first game. Something that doesn't improve are the puzzles, and, considering that the puzzles are so prominent in this game I'm honestly so suprised at how bad they are. They are easy, dumb and pointless. They are literally filler with no individuality. In fact, that goes for most of the saide quests in this game. Some hint at other villians and have fun teasers, plus the flame missions are genuinely worthwhile and fun, but the rest is a little bit plain and monotonous. Not bad, just, not good. Traversal is also like the best out of any other game of all time here so there's that I suppose. Boss fights are a major improment over the first game, even if I feel the spectacle was inconsistent between some of the battles.

In terms of story, there is much to love, but a lot to hate. I fell like Kraven is severely undercooked, he's the main villian in the game and yet you spend hours on end fighting his stupid goons and only see him for 6 scenes. I feel like they played his cards wrong considering that his actual charachter was really well made and his themes and concepts were riveting. Venom is underused, there's no doubt. He's in it for 5 missions and is totally wasted in this game. His motives don't make sense and whilst Harry's could have been really good, there isn't much sense in his motivations. Now, this is because of the symbiote effect on people in the game. It doesn't expand in inner problems from the characters, but makes them up when they have the symbiote. Therefore, there is no tension at all, because the stakes aren't there. Miles has the best arc in the game by far, it's well developed and makes a lot of sense. Peter (who is predominantly the protagonist in the game) isn't well developed however, for when he's in the symbiote there are no stakes, as I mentioned earlier. The writing is corny at times, but it's okay because the voice acting is spot on.

I don't dislike the game at all, it improves so much and core aspects are really good, but it has its gaps in its greatness where the first game doesn't. I still prefer this one, however.

Spider-Man 2 is really good, but not as good as the first game. Of course, It looks better, and plays better (with some sweet features in the gameplay), as we would expect from a game of the next generation, but the narrative, even if great at some times, is not as round as it was on the previous game.

With two protagonists the lack of focus is a problem, as are the annoying missions with regular characters that we have been spared of in Miles' solo game.

Some of the antagonists are not well developed in the script, and the game suggests that the developers don't want to make more games with Peter, to give Miles the spotlight, wich, if comes to be, I really dislike, to be honest.

In the world of superhero video games, few titles have captured the essence of their comic book counterparts as brilliantly as the Spider-Man series from Insomniac Games. The sequel, "Marvel's Spider-Man 2," takes everything that made the first game great and amps it up to create an even more exhilarating and immersive experience. From its compelling narrative to its stunning graphics and enhanced gameplay, Spider-Man 2 swings onto the scene as a must-play title for fans and gamers alike.

The story in "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" is a true standout. It continues the tale of Peter Parker and Miles Morales, now working together as Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, respectively. The game introduces a new and formidable antagonist, Kraven the Hunter, who challenges the two heroes in unexpected ways. Additionally, the return of Venom adds complexity to the narrative, as the character grapples with his newfound powers and responsibilities. The writing is sharp, and the character development is top-notch, creating a rich and emotionally resonant storyline that keeps players invested from start to finish.

One of the game's most striking features is its jaw-dropping graphics. The previous installment was a visual feast, and Spider-Man 2 takes it to the next level. The city of New York is more vibrant and detailed than ever, with dynamic weather effects and realistic lighting that make swinging through the city an absolute joy. The character models, too, are incredibly lifelike, with an attention to detail that makes it feel as if you're controlling the web-slinger himself. The cutscenes seamlessly blend with the gameplay, ensuring a visually cohesive and immersive experience.

Gameplay is where Spider-Man 2 truly shines. Swinging through the city remains a fluid and exhilarating experience, as it was in the first game. The controls are intuitive, making it easy for both newcomers and veterans to jump right in. What's new, however, are the combat mechanics. The addition of team-up moves between Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 adds depth and excitement to battles. The combat animations are smoother and more varied, and players can switch between the two characters on the fly, allowing for dynamic and satisfying combat encounters.

In addition to the improved combat, both Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 have their unique abilities and skill trees. This customization adds strategic depth to the game, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to their liking. Whether you prefer a more stealthy approach or enjoy going head-to-head with foes, the game accommodates a variety of strategies. The city also offers numerous side activities, from crime-fighting to collectibles, providing plenty of opportunities for exploration and engagement beyond the main story.

Another significant addition to "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" is the inclusion of a cooperative mode. Players can team up with a friend in local or online co-op to take on challenges and missions together. This feature adds a social dimension to the game and enhances the already outstanding gameplay experience. It's a great way to share the web-swinging and crime-fighting with a friend, and it's a testament to the game's versatility.

The audio in Spider-Man 2 is just as impressive as the visuals and gameplay. The music, composed by John Paesano, complements the high-stakes action and emotional moments perfectly. The voice acting is stellar, with the returning cast delivering top-notch performances. The banter between Peter and Miles as they navigate the challenges of being heroes is particularly well-executed, adding depth and humor to the characters.

If there's one aspect where Spider-Man 2 might be seen as falling slightly short, it's the length of the main story. While the narrative is engaging, some players may find it a bit shorter than expected. However, the wealth of side activities and the cooperative mode help extend the game's replayability.

In conclusion, "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" is a triumphant sequel that takes the excellence of the first game and elevates it to new heights. The compelling narrative, stunning graphics, and refined gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the superhero genre and gaming enthusiasts in general. The addition of co-op play and the exceptional audio design round out the package, ensuring that Spider-Man 2 is an unforgettable gaming experience. This is a game that not only lives up to the legacy of the web-slinger but also pushes it further into the realm of video game excellence. With great power comes great responsibility, and "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" lives up to both.

Spider-Man 2 takes everything that was great about the first game, and expands upon it; bigger map, grander story, more characters, improved mechanics, etc. The game also has spectacular set pieces, and a good variety of missions that help speed up, and slow down the pacing when necessary, including one when you go on the rides, and play carnival games at Coney Island, which is unironically one of my favorites missions in any game ever. Overall, after 100% the game, and achieving the platinum trophy, I can confidently say Spiderman 2 is now one of my all time favorite games; its gameplay is fast, fun, and has the best combat system I've ever experienced. If you're a Spiderman fan, it's definitely worth the money.

Now for the things I don't like: first off, Im not a huge on the wingsuit, as I think it takes the focus off of web slinging - seeing Spiderman soar through the skies like Superman just doesn't feel right... (although, I know Insomniac probably thought it was a necessary addition, to make traversing the larger map easier, especially since there's now a river you have to navigate across) They also brought back the dreaded forced stealth MJ missions from the first game. I know they don't want MJ to be your typical damsel in distress, but giving her an OP taser and forcing you to navigate through enemy territory while neither Spiderman is in sight for assistance, just isn't it... I'm also not a fan of the "Danacast" that returns in this game after being introduced in Miles Morales. I don't care about some random, liberal college student's opinions about what's going on in the story, just give me J. Jonah Jameson.

Performance wise; In my 24+ hours of playing the game so far, I've only suffered from one crash, but there is some gltiches that need to be patched. Like, a pivotal part of the game's narrative was ruined for me, because character models were either completely invisible, or they were just floating heads... (both in cutscenes and gameplay) There's also this really odd bug where your character model is just a small, white box? It tends to happen when switching quickly back and forth between suits.

Finally: Just like the first game, there's no option for New Game+ at launch - although, I heard that its coming before the end of the year - also, there's currently not an option to change the time of day like in the previous 2 games, (not even after beating the story...) which is disappointing. So hopefully they add that, soon, too.

In conclusion, Spiderman 2 isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. 9/10.