It has been five years since the original Marvel Spider-Man game was released on the PS4, and three years since Miles Morales joined the Spider-family. A new installment, Marvel Spider-Man 2, is set to release on the PS5 on October 20th. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with everything you need to know before playing the game.

Story / Timeline

Marvel Spider-Man 2 is set on Earth 1048, roughly nine months after the Tinkerer appeared in Miles Morales’ adventure and 19 months after Peter Parker first donned the Spider-Man suit. The significance of this timeline lies in how past events and characters will influence the new story. The central plot revolves around Norman Osborn, who is desperate to save his son Harry from a mysterious illness. Additionally, a new villain, Craven the Hunter, arrives in New York. Peter Parker also finds himself struggling with a new black suit that appears to be corrupting him.

Combat System

The combat system in Spider-Man 2 has undergone various upgrades. Players will find that Miles and Peter have distinct abilities and separate upgrade trees. For instance, Miles has unique bioelectric powers, whereas Peter gains new abilities from his mysterious black suit. Additionally, there is a shared tech-based upgrade tree for both characters. The L1 and R1 buttons will be used to control these powers, enabling a diverse set of strategies during combat.

Choose Your Spider-Man

In Spider-Man 2, players can switch between Miles and Peter at any point, thanks to a quick swap mechanic. While some story missions will require a specific Spider-Man, for the most part, players can choose who they want to play as. The game utilizes this mechanic in an engaging way, as you can encounter the other Spider-Man while exploring New York.

Spider-Sense

An update has also been made to the Spider-Sense feature. The visual cues are now designed to help players understand which attacks can be blocked and which cannot. For instance, a blue tingle warns the player of unblockable attacks, while a red tingle indicates an attack that can be parried.

Fast Travel

The fast-travel feature has been improved, allowing players to instantaneously travel to any point on the map. This feature is unlocked as players progress through the game and is attributed to the faster SSD inside the PS5 console.

Traversal

With a more expansive map, the game introduces faster swinging animations and catapult points on rooftops to aid in quicker traversal. Additionally, new winged suits provide a gliding ability, further enhancing movement options.

District System

The world in Spider-Man 2 is divided into distinct districts or boroughs. Each district has its own set of missions and objectives, and unlocking them is essential for enabling fast travel.

New Locations

Spider-Man 2 includes several new locations, including Queens and Brooklyn. Iconic places like Miles’s Brooklyn Visions Academy and Peter’s old haunt, Midtown High, are also featured, along with a visually intriguing Coney Island fun fair.

Civilians

The game portrays a more bustling New York, thanks to the power of the PS5. An increased number of civilians and more detailed high-rise interiors make the city feel more authentic.

Game Length

According to Insomniac’s Ryan Smith, Spider-Man 2 will have a similar length to its predecessor, roughly around 15 to 20 hours for the main story. Side missions and dynamic events could extend gameplay by an additional 5 to 15 hours.

Suits, Lots of Suits

Over 65 suits can be unlocked in the game, featuring designs inspired by comics and movies. Interestingly, each suit offers four color palette swaps, essentially providing over 200 suit options.

Villains

The game boasts a robust line-up of villains, including Venom, Craven the Hunter, Lizard, Black Cat, and many more. Each villain presents unique challenges, making the game more captivating.

Prequel Comic Book

A comic book serves as a prequel to the events in Spider-Man 2, highlighting conflicts with new villains Tarantula and the Hood. It also details J. Jonah Jameson’s return to the Daily Bugle, setting the stage for the game’s story.

Graphics Options

The game supports various graphical options, ranging from Dynamic 4K at different frame rates to a 1440p mode targeted at 120 fps. Ray tracing is used across all settings for more realistic lighting and reflections.

Accessibility

Spider-Man 2 excels in offering multiple accessibility options, ranging from colored outlines to adjustable battle speeds, making the game accessible to a wider audience.

Final Thoughts

Marvel Spider-Man 2 brings forth a compelling story, an expansive world, and a detailed combat system. The improvements are notable, making it an essential title for the PlayStation 5 library. By exploring the new story arcs, updated combat mechanics, and graphical improvements, players can expect a comprehensive Spider-Man experience.

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