Warning: Minor Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has officially released, and for most fans and critics, the game did not disappoint. Improvements to combat and traversal mean that the game plays better than any other Spider-Man title, and the PlayStation 5’s power ensures it is a technical marvel on top of that. The story is full of stellar performances from the entire cast in addition to memorable missions and genuine surprises, and none of the game’s side activities feel like filler. However, despite there being so much to praise, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is suffering from one complaint: it lacks replayability.
Clearly, Insomniac Games is aware of this complaint, as the developer has already promised that new game plus and mission replay will come after launch. With no precise release date, though, fans could be stuck waiting for a while. This is a shame, as it means players have nowhere to make use of their unlocked suits and fully upgraded heroes apart from Mysteriums and Random Crimes. While players can be patient, many will be wanting to keep playing, and starting over from scratch is not ideal for everyone. Fortunately, Insomniac has a way to make the wait more bearable: adding replayable activities.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 May Hold The Answer to a Big MCU Problem
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 does a lot of things right, and one of its successes could greatly resolve a longtime complaint of the MCU.
Activities Are a Perfect Solution to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Replayability Problem
Replayable Hunter Bases Can Give Spider-Man 2 Players The Big Fights They’re Missing
Considering that Spider-Man: Miles Morales offered players an option to replay bases, it’s truly strange that the feature was not present in the latest game. Players loved having the opportunity to challenge themselves with bases, as they could do a bit of stealth before seeing how they fare against waves of strong enemies. Why this replayable option was removed is unclear, but its absence is felt - especially with players still waiting for New Game Plus. Further, with combat challenges limited to the Mysteriums only Miles Morales can visit, players have very little to do with a fully-leveled Peter after the story, as they will clear the Random Crime fights in seconds.
The Mysteriums in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are replayable, serving as the only replayable activity type despite only being accessible by one of the game’s heroes. It’s strange that Insomniac thought to make this activity replayable, but not the Bases or Symbiote Nests.
Replayable Bases, and perhaps the Hunter Blinds required to locate them, could put a band-aid over the game’s lack of replayability until new game plus and mission replay are integrated. Players looking for a long fight that puts their combat prowess to the test can swing right into a Base and draw the attention of every enemy in the area. Alternatively, those looking to enjoy Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s stealth would surely welcome replayable Bases, as there are essentially no places to experience the stealth mechanics once the story and Bases have been cleared. While players may grow bored with replaying bases after a few clears, it would at least give them a place to enjoy bigger fights and stealth sequences - as well as a reliable way to snag the Web Line Trophy post-game.
Some of Spider-Man 2’s Other Activities Should Also Be Replayable
However, though Base replays should be a priority, and would hopefully be something that Insomniac Games can implement quickly and easily, the developer should not stop there. It could also make some of the game’s other activities replayable, as players would surely appreciate a second go at the Unidentified Targets traversal challenges. The Sandman Memory Crystal fights could be fun to replay, too, as battling the sandy foes could make a nice change from the Hunters and Symbiotes.
Speaking of Symbiotes, second only to Bases are the Symbiote Nest activities, as holding off waves of aliens while protecting sonic charges made for a thrilling activity. Like Bases, these put players’ combat skills to the test, and they could be a great way for both Miles and Peter fans to have some post-story fun if they were tweaked to be replayable. While not every activity needs to be given this treatment, as the Prowler Stashes, EMF experiments, Photographs, and Spider Drones are best experienced once, the other activity types should be replayable just like the Mysteriums. Assuming that this is easier for Insomniac than crafting a full new game plus mode, it could be a great way to keep fans busy while they wait for that update to arrive.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
The sequel to 2018's Spider-Man and its Miles Morales spin-off, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a PS5 console exclusive. Insomniac's open-world game features Peter Parker and Miles Morales as dual protagonists, with the two heroes going up against the likes of Kraven, Venom, and Lizard.
