Releasing alongside Sony's console later this fall, Spider-Man: Miles Morales will be a standalone story in the same universe as Marvel's Spider-Man on PS4. Mixed comments between a Sony executive and Insomniac Games led people to be confused as to whether or not this game would be DLC or a standalone game, but the truth is that Spider-Man: Miles Morales' length is ideal for a specific reason.
While the length of the game is often compared to Uncharted: Lost Legacy or Halo 3: ODST, Spider-Man: Miles Morales shouldn't disappoint fans because it's likely a tie-in to the true numbered Spider-Man sequel. Based on the ending of the first game, it's clear that there's more Spider-Man in store, but dedicating an entire story to Miles' character first makes a lot of sense. Plus, it's also an indication of what's potentially to come in the mainline sequel later on.
Miles Morales' Time to Shine
Towards the end of Marvel's Spider-Man on PS4, the game teases that Miles Morales will eventually get his own Spidey-powers at some point. This is solidified with the scene of Peter moving into his new apartment, and Miles shows Peter his newly acquired agility, as well as his eagerness for training in the DLC. This is obviously a nod towards what's to come, but many fans were surprised to see Miles receive his own standalone game in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Many fans figured Miles Morales would presumably show up in Spider-Man 2, which on all accounts is still likely, but for Miles to get his own standalone release was a welcome surprise.
Miles getting his own story on the PS5 is such a clever idea for a number of reasons. Miles Morales is one of the most adored iterations of Spider-Man in the character's history, evidenced most recently by Into The Spiderverse's massive success. Miles getting his own story to tie into the similar success of Spider-Man on PS4 is perfect for the character. Miles gets the respect and story treatment he deserves, untethered from Peter Parker's story to give Miles his opportunity to become the web-slinging hero. Not only that, but it's the perfect way to re-acclimate players to Spider-Man gameplay before the assumed sequel to Peter's story comes out on PS5.
The Future of Spider-Man
There's also the question of whether Spider-Man: Miles Morales is meant to be a taste of what's to come in the next mainline Spider-Man game as well. With the tease at the end of the first game, fans likely assumed that Miles would either be a playable character or heavily involved in the next Spider-Man game's story. This could still remain true, even though Spider-Man: Miles Morales will be a standalone game. One interesting theory is that this could potentially lead into multiple playable protagonists in the next mainline Spider-Man game, akin to that of Grand Theft Auto 5. A more apt comparison would be the duality between Infamous: Second Son and Infamous: First Light.
For Spider-Man: Miles Morales, fans only know for sure that Peter Parker is indisposed for some reason, and that Miles needs to become Spider-Man in the meantime. Despite not knowing why, it does serve as a proper justification for not only Miles to flex his skills as the hero, but also opens up the possibility for him as a playable character in the next sequel. Considering his relationship with Peter based on the first game, why else would Miles be given the reigns to Spider-Man unless he's going to be involved in the conflict moving forward. It would make sense assuming the next threat is exactly what was teased in Spider-Man PS4's post-credits scene.
Embodying Spider-Man as Miles Morales in a standalone game would be the perfect lead up to both him and Peter fighting a common enemy in the mainline sequel. Both Peter and Miles embody a very different version of Spider-Man, one that's not a sidekick of the other in any way. They're two very independent versions of the hero that exists in two different timelines, but in PS4's Spider-Man they exist in the same universe. It's an interesting dynamic, one that hopefully doesn't relegate Miles into a partner role for Peter. Both are iconic version of Spider-Man that both deserve their time in the spotlight, something Spider-Man: Miles Morales seems to be hinting at.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales releases holiday 2020 for PS5.
