“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” for PlayStation 5 – Reviews and recommendations

The first two “Spider-Man” games by Insomniac Games (creator of “Spyro” and “Ratchet & Clank”) were fantastic. Not only was it craftsmanship of the very best kind. They also had a history fully on par with the popular films, and a soul and warmth that can only come from people with real passion for the license they’ve got in their laps. All this can be said about “Spider-Man 2” as well. I’m probably not the only one breathing a sigh of relief at that. HEAVY TEAM: We get to know Peter Parker (tv) and Miles Morales well in “Spider-Man 2”. Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive WEEEEEEEEE! The wing suit is an absolutely beautiful novelty in Spider-Man 2. Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Peter’s on-and-off girlfriend Mary Jane Watson naturally features in the intimate and emotional narrative served up in “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2”. Facsimile: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Norman and Harry Osborn are regulars in the Spiderman universe, both as Peter Parker’s close friends and as enemies in the form of the villain Green Goblin. Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Our two heroes are not always happy, and have plenty of both physical and mental challenges to deal with in the new game. Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Double dose of Spider-Man The story continues after “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” (2020), and New York City has to deal with the fact that they have two superheroes in a spider suit – with the trotter Peter Parker, and the young Miles Morales behind the masks. True to tradition, a new supervillain arrives in town, this time the military macho guy Kraven and his army of soldiers and stacks of war technology and weapons. But Kraven is not the only supervillain you meet, the game offers tough opposition in both larger and smaller sequences. TOUGHER THAN THE TRAIN: Kraven the Hunter is a real macho supervillain. In “Spider-Man 2”, he adds his hunting grounds to Manhattan. Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Venom, known to many from the films of the same name, also has a role to play in the story. Photo: Marvel/Sony Interactive There are many really great sequences in the game, where both Miles Morales and Peter Parker have to work together. Like here, against Sandman. Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive The fight against Sandman in the opening sequence, for example, is very stylish. And then it is possible that Venom himself will visit. There is no cooperative mode here, instead you choose which of the two you want to control fairly freely. In important sequences, they also act together and cooperate in battle – it is partly directed and partly interactive, and it works beautifully and seamlessly. And comfort and bear how intense these action sequences are. The combat system is so well-crafted, acrobatic and stylish that even small side missions become grand. Peter and Miles each have their own unique powers, and here you get to play with them all. On bosses and throughout the main story it just completely takes off. ACTION-FILLED: Exciting gameplay as Miles Morales searches for a drone while the two Spider-Men work to wipe out an enemy.Sony Interactive Fly high – and fast The exploration of Manhattan, one of the very best of the game series, has also become several notches cooler, with a new wingsuit and higher speed than before. Not only is it ridiculously fun to swing, jump and fly through the city, there are also challenges and upgrades to be found everywhere. As an action game, in other words, “Spider-Man 2” is excellent. But it is when the developers take us down on the tarmac that the game takes on real weight. BEAUTIFUL: New York City is both beautiful to look at and rewarding to explore in Spider-Man 2.Sony Interactive We get to know Peter and Miles well. Peter is torn between the desire to have a normal job and to be in charge of a huge city of millions. Miles watches his friends choose universities while he himself stares at a blank application document. I mean, it’s not exactly a given that a superhero game has scenes where you go for a bike ride with your best friend. “Spider-Man 2” has many such sequences, which brings the spectacular down to ground level in a beautiful way. Almost top score “Spider-Man 2” has indisputable qualities, it is really fun to play and it has a tone and a warmth that hits well. At the same time, I think it might be too familiar and formulaic. DARK: Venom makes his entrance in Spider-Man 2, which eventually also spills over into Spider-Man’s powers.Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive I’m not disappointed, as expectations are met to such an extent, but after an endless series of Marvel movies in theaters and two good game predecessors, there is not much that surprises me here. Because it is certainly possible to innovate in an otherwise rather tired genre. The brilliant “Spider-Verse” animated films have proven that, and thus the list is set high. “Spider-Man 2” doesn’t exactly fly above that list. But it is well-made, fun and exciting, and it has a very broad appeal. It is hardly possible to give a more definite recommendation. news reviewer: Photo: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Title: “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” Developer: Insomniac Games Publisher: Sony Interactive Platform: PlayStation 5 Age limit: PEGI 16 Released: 20 October 2023



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