Highlights

  • Insomniac's Marvel games have been a turning point for the studio, allowing it to showcase its talent via the Spider-Man license.
  • Fans can expect more Marvel projects from Insomniac, with rumors suggesting potential post-launch DLC or half-sequels for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, possibly focusing on Venom. The studio has paved the way for sequels, spinoffs, and other games set in the Marvel universe.
  • While Insomniac's focus on Marvel games has been successful, it could have a detrimental impact on the studio's other franchises like Ratchet and Clank. Some fans worry that sticking to only making Marvel games may limit the studio's creative freedom and lower its output for other IPs.

Truly great Marvel games used to be very far and few between. Obviously, there have been some big Marvel video game hits over the last few decades, with 2004's Spider-Man 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine being some of the most memorable, but these games came out years after one another, and what came in between was often pretty mediocre at best. Insomniac almost single-handedly turned that around, delivering three incredible Marvel games in a row, with a fourth hopefully right around the corner.

Insomniac's Spider-Man series has been great across the board, and while they're definitely not perfect, they deliver pretty much exactly what fans want time and time again. First time really ever it feels like Marvel games are finally reaching the high bar set by the Batman: Arkham series, and naturally, many fans don't want to see that come to an end. But Insomniac continuing to focus solely on Marvel games could be a bit of a double-edged sword for the studio and its long-time fans.

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Insomniac's Focus on Marvel Games Could Be a Double-Edged Sword

Insomniac Clearly Thrives on Marvel Projects

Insomniac Games has always been an extremely talented studio. Coming out of the gate swinging with the well-received PS1 game Disruptor, Insomniac's next title was none other than Spyro the Dragon, which Insomniac followed up with Ratchet and Clank, which in turn was followed up by the Resistance series. Insomniac Games has rarely had any true misses, and over the last five years or so, it's finally been given the recognition it rightfully deserves, rising to the top of the ranks of PlayStation's first-party studios thanks to its incredible work on the Marvel's Spider-Man series.

Though Insomniac's games have always showed passion and talent, it's never been more evident than it has been with the Marvel's Spider-Man series. Every side quest, story detail, character arc, special ability, and alternate costume in Marvel's Spider-Man proves that Insomniac is clearly very passionate about the Spider-Man license, and when that combines with the studio's high level of talent and experience, it culminates in something truly special.

Though fans haven't seen much from it yet, it seems almost guaranteed that Marvel's Wolverine will show just as much passion from Insomniac. And that might not be the only Marvel project on Insomniac's slate. According to recent rumors, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 may be receiving some post-launch DLC, or maybe even a half-sequel, potentially focusing on Venom. And this could only be the start of Insomniac's partnership with Marvel, with plenty of routes already paved for sequels, spin-offs, and other games set in its universe using characters like Daredevil. However, some fans might see that as a bad thing.

Insomniac's Focus on Marvel Could Be Detrimental to the Studio's Other Franchises

While Insomniac is clearly very passionate about its Marvel universe, and it's producing some of its best titles using the license, some fans wouldn't be happy if Insomniac just stuck to making Marvel games only. If Insomniac sticks to only making Marvel games, then there's no denying that it would massively impact its output for other franchises like Ratchet and Clank. Fans would also like to see dormant franchises like Resistance and Sunset Overdrive come back, but a focus on Marvel games could stop this from happening. It would also probably dissuade the studio from trying to produce any games based on original IP, at least on the scale of a AAA project. Insomniac sticking to just making Marvel games might end up snuffing out the studio's creative freedom in the long run.