Insomniac struck gold with Marvel's Spider-Man nearly 5 years ago, delivering an experience that felt both fresh and familiar for longtime fans of the wall-crawler. With Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on the horizon, fans are looking forward to seeing how Insomniac will improve on an already solid formula. Teasers for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 have shown one key distinction from the original, and that's the ability to play as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. The two Spider-Men have been shown working together in combat, with exciting combo moves that add depth to first game's already impressive fighting mechanics.
One of the biggest questions about Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is how the game will balance the use of both Spider-Men beyond what's been shown in trailers. While having both Miles and Peter to choose from may be exciting, it's important for Insomniac to make sure each hero feels distinct. Marvel's Spider-Man and Miles Morales showed how Peter and Miles' web-swinging are unique from one another, but the developer could take things a step further by differentiating their combat with new finishing moves.
How Finishing Moves Can Add Personality To Each Spider-Man
The combat in Marvel's Spider-Man and the Miles Morales spin-off was one of the strongest aspects of each game, because Insomniac understood what it had to do to make it feel satisfying. While it may draw many comparisons to Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series, the combat in Marvel's Spider-Man emphasizes the fluidity and acrobatics of Spider-Man's movement. When it comes to the exact movements of Peter and Miles, however, both characters are very different Spider-Men.
Insomniac decided to build its first game around a more experienced Peter, meaning he's both physically larger than when he first became Spider-Man, and he's more familiar with his abilities. Miles Morales showed how Miles has grown into his Spider-Man abilities, but he still doesn't have as much weight under his belt as Peter. When it comes to combat, one of the best ways to reflect this difference is through personalized finishing moves. For example, while Peter may take down foes with just enough strength to get the job done, Miles may put extra effort in because he isn't sure what he's fully capable of yet.
How Combat Can Influence Spider-Man 2's Story
With this added nuance to combat, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 can make gameplay feel distinct while also showing where each hero is in their journey. Last time fans saw Peter and Miles, Peter was still a mentor figure showing Miles the ropes while he comes into his own power. Miles will continue to grow in Spider-Man 2, and he may have to do things on his own if Peter has trouble with Venom, and Insomniac could demonstrate this growth by evolving Miles' finishing moves. If he's less confident and precise in his movements at first, the game could have him become more effective to show his newfound experience.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is one of the PlayStation's most anticipated sequels since God of War Ragnarok, and it's due in large part to Insomniac's thorough understanding of its characters. In terms of both narrative and gameplay, Peter and Miles feel like they've been ripped right from the comics, and it's essential for that feeling to carry into the sequel. If the game is set on giving players equal time with Peter and Miles, unique finishing moves will go a long way toward making each Spider-Man feel satisfying to play throughout this new adventure.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 releases in 2023 for the PS5.
