Warning: Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.By being careful about what was shown in its marketing, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was able to surprise players in a number of ways. Peter getting the Anti-Venom suit was a shocker, as was the Agent Venom suit briefly appearing before Harry Osborn lost control. Kraven killing off villains from the previous games, Carnage and Chameleon being set up for the future, and even a crossover with Sony’s Spider-Verse film franchise all came out of nowhere. However, one of the most charming surprises was the flashback sequences starring a teenage Peter Parker.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 features three flashback sequences, one of which was even tied to a side mission, showing how much effort Insomniac Games put into the open-world title’s optional content. One of these flashbacks highlights Peter’s relationship with Harry Osborn as the two sneak into their high school, while another shows Peter Parker getting his job at the Daily Bugle. The best flashback of the bunch shows Peter and Aunt May having an important conversation, with the scene doing a phenomenal job of highlighting why Aunt May had such a good influence on the original Spidey. With Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 likely set to feature a sendoff for Peter Parker, a series of optional flashbacks could be a great way to celebrate the character before he is retired.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2's Daredevil Confusion Could Be a Happy Accident For Insomniac
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 fans recently got excited about a possible Daredevil teaser, and though it was likely a mistake, it should lead to something.
Flashback Activities Could Help Make Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 a Perfect Goodbye For Peter
Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 Could Add More Flashbacks To Explore Peter’s Younger Years
When thinking about potential flashbacks that Insomniac Games could include, a few things should immediately come to mind. First, showing Insomniac’s version of Uncle Ben could be an emotional gut punch, even if players see something other than his death. After all, a nice moment where Ben, May, and Peter spend the day together could hit hard if it comes after Peter has glanced at a photo, as the scene would remind players of what he has lost. Other flashbacks could follow this format, with Peter finding items or walking by areas in the city that remind him of a key moment in his life, similar to what happened in the Daily Bugle side mission.
Speaking of the Daily Bugle, more moments where Peter and J. Jonah Jameson interact would be terrific. Jameson could send Peter out to snap some photos of his favorite menace, giving players the chance to fight crime in either Insomniac’s version of the homemade suit or the classic red and blue suit that everyone loves. Players could experience Peter’s first interactions with various villains this way, who could also be given rougher versions of their final costumes that resemble their classic comic looks. Other opportunities exist with flashbacks involving Harry and Mary Jane, as the former is likely to return when the G-Serum is used and the latter is the love of Peter’s life. For Harry, an interaction with Flash Thompson that shows how strong his bond with Peter is could be fun, while Peter’s first date with MJ would be adorable.
Insomniac Games’ love for all things Spider-Man was on full display in the flashbacks of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 . Not only were the character dynamics perfectly represented, but Peter even had a haircut straight out of the Ultimate Spider-Man comics, which surely put a smile on the face of longtime fans.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 Having a Flashbacks Activity Could Continue a Positive Trend
While some wish that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was longer, the quality over quantity approach taken by Insomniac Games meant that side activities like The Flame missions were on par with the gameplay of the main story. Story-heavy flashback sequences would continue that success, as they could turn out to be the most popular optional activities in the franchise because of how beloved Peter is. Insomniac Games has stated that Miles Morales will be the main Spider-Man in the games going forward, making it likely that Peter will turn his semi-retirement into a full one at the end of the next entry in the series. Optional flashbacks would be perfectly timed, then, as Peter would naturally be reflecting on his superhero career before he hangs up his webshooters.
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.
