Highlights
- Insomniac's Spider-Man games have a reputation for including Easter eggs and references to the wider Marvel universe.
- The appearance of the Sanctum Sanctorum, home to Doctor Strange, was a highlight in the previous games and returns in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 with a few changes.
- In a mission involving Black Cat, players visit the Sanctum Sanctorum and encounter portals, ultimately confirming the existence of Doctor Strange in Insomniac's universe.
One of the biggest highlights of Insomniac's first two Spider-Man games was their vast array of Easter eggs and references, many of which hinted at a wider Marvel universe. Across both games, players could find Avengers Tower, Nelson and Murdock's attorney office, Jessica Jones' Alias Investigations, Josie's Bar, and a few other well-known Marvel locations that long-time fans would definitely recognize. But while these were great, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 takes things just a little step further.
One of the most iconic Easter eggs in both the first Marvel's Spider-Man and Miles Morales was the appearance of the Sanctum Sanctorum, a now instantly recognizable Marvel landmark that fans know to be the home of Doctor Strange and the rest of the New York sorcerers. Finding the Sanctum Sanctorum was a big highlight of many fans' first playthrough, and it was also fun when players would happen to swing past it, acting as a constant reminder that Insomniac's Spider-Man existed in a wider Marvel universe. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 takes this one small step further, just shying away from a full Doctor Strange cameo.
Every Doctor Strange Reference in Marvel's Spider-Man 2
The Sanctum Sanctorum makes another big appearance in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, returning in the exact same spot as it was in the last two Insomniac Spider-Man titles. Though the building's appearance looks largely the same, its iconic stained-glass window has had a slight rework, with it now sporting a brighter yellow coloring as opposed to the last games' darker orange/red look. But that's far from the only Doctor Strange reference this time around.
Early on in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, players will take control of Miles Morales as he attempts to track down Black Cat and warn her of Kraven and his army of hunters. After tracking Black Cat's movements to a rooftop, Miles discovers a safe that gives a hint at where the fan-favorite antihero has run off to, finding a piece of paper that mentions a mysterious artifact known as the Wand of Watoomb. Even the most casual Marvel fans will likely be able to guess that this artifact is related to Doctor Strange, and it only acts as the starter to a phenomenal main course.
Upon arriving at the Sanctum Sanctorum, players are tasked with taking down all of Kraven's hunters lurking in the surrounding area. While dispatching Kraven's goons, players will be able to see and hear various loud bangs and otherworldly noises coming from inside the Sanctum, presumably being the sorcerers inside trying to stop Black Cat from escaping with the artifact. After taking out Kraven's gang, Miles spots Black Cat at the top of the Sanctum, exiting via an orange portal that'll be instantly recognizable to any MCU fans.
Black Cat then leads the player on a wild goose chase through Spider-Man 2's New York City, opening up a number of portals along the way that instantly transport both Black Cat and Miles to various parts of the city and beyond. The mission ends with Black Cat explaining that she needed the wand to teleport herself to Paris in order to escape Kraven and meet up with her girlfriend, and Miles reluctantly agrees to help her.
Staying true to her word, when the coast is clear, Black Cat opens up a portal to Paris and hands the Wand of Watoomb back to Miles. Once she's gone, the wand disappears from Miles' hands amidst an array of bright orange sparks, and a note is left in its place. Written by Wong, the note thanks Miles for retrieving the wand, stating that "The Doctor and I owe you one," directly confirming the existence of Doctor Strange in Insomniac's universe.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is available now on PS5.
