Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 may still be a fair bit away from release, but fans have been keeping themselves busy by theorizing about the highly anticipated sequel. Some have suggested potential new features like a suit crafting mechanic for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, while others have focused more on the narrative and which characters they want to see make an appearance.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will have plenty going on its main story, with both Kraven the Hunter and Venom set to serve as major antagonists in the upcoming game. Insomniac will also have two protagonists in the form of Peter and Miles to juggle, with fans surely hoping to see some exciting battles where the two team up. While there are many members of Spidey’s Rogues’ Gallery that could fight the two heroes at the same time, Sandman might just be the best choice.
Creating an Unforgettable Opening For Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
While Sandman is not as iconic as a Green Goblin or Doc Ock, and lacks the ability to carry an entire narrative on his own, he has always been one of the most memorable Spider-Man villains when it comes to combat. Usually, Peter has to use his intellect to his advantage and find a way to take down a foe that cannot be damaged, with water being the usual tool he resorts to. With Sandman able to get massive in size and deliver an array of attacks, he could be a perfect boss fight.
To get more specific, Sandman should not just be a boss encounter in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 - he should also be used as the opening setpiece. Both the original Marvel’s Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales delivered unforgettable openings, with Peter taking down Kingpin and Miles working alongside his mentor to battle Rhino. Before Venom and Kraven even make their presence known, players should fight against Sandman, with the opening showing that both Miles and Peter are now on equal footing.
The encounter could begin with a traditional boss fight between Peter Parker and Sandman, with the villain starting off in his regular-sized, human-like form. After he takes enough damage, he can enter his second form, absorbing more sand and becoming massive. From there, he could run through the city, leaving a wake of destruction and forcing the original Spidey to give chase. Hearing the explosions and screams, Miles Morales could swing over, with players taking control of the younger hero for the second half of the encounter.
With Sandman being too strong to beat with mere punches and kicks, Peter could focus entirely on getting him wet and limiting his movement while Miles dodges attacks. Once Sandman is forced to enter into a more solid state, Miles could beat down the supervillain, delivering some electricity-powered punches via his Venom strikes. Peter and Miles could then come together for a flashy finishing move, with both contributing an equal amount of damage to take down the boss.
With a Marvel’s Spider-Man collectible confirming that Peter has fought Sandman in the past, the villain has every reason to hold a grudge. Opening the game with a spectacle-heavy fight against a massive, powerful Sandman is also a great way to set the tone for the game, establishing both its heroes in the process. With two Spider-Men set to be featured within the sequel, making sure that players get a hang of Miles and Peter’s gameplay early on will be essential. With basic tutorials being boring, and the first two games beginning with exciting setpieces instead, it makes sense to continue this trend with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 - and Sandman is a perfect candidate for an opening sequence.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is scheduled to release in 2023 on PS5.
