Highlights

  • Venom: Lethal Protector will likely follow a similar formula to Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, focusing on one character and establishing them in the Marvel universe.
  • The game is expected to have a shorter length, similar to Miles Morales, allowing for a quicker release and keeping fans satisfied until Marvel's Spider-Man 3.
  • Developing Venom's character and potentially Eddie Brock's character will be a key focus in Venom: Lethal Protector, setting up their role in future installments of the franchise.

After an unfortunate ransomware attack aimed at Insomniac Games, many of the developer's planned releases were disclosed to the public. While the lineup of games includes both Wolverine and Marvel's Spider-Man 3, both of which fans expected, the name of one release has come as a bit of a surprise to the gaming community. The game in question, allegedly titled Venom: Lethal Protector, brings with it clear implications — namely, that it will likely feature Venom as a main playable character. However, the game's name also reveals some similarities it may share with one of its predecessors: Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Venom: Lethal Protector, simply due to the nature of its title and its leaked game length, seems to be more like Miles Morales than Marvel's Spider-Man​​​​​​. After all, this Venom half-sequel has been given a subtitle, just as Miles Morales was given for his game. This implies a shared formula, including a more streamlined focus on one character that will likely return in future installments, rather than a narrative filled with various subplots. This is ultimately the right call for Insomniac to make, as it will undoubtedly please fans and contribute to the ongoing success of the Marvel's Spider-Man franchise for a number of reasons.

Marvel's Spider-Man The Perfect Villain For Insomniac's Venom Game Isn't Actually Carnage
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The Perfect Villain For Insomniac's Venom Game Isn't Actually Carnage

While it sounds like Carnage will be the main antagonist of Insomniac's leaked Venom game, another Symbiote-related nemesis could fit even better.

Venom: Lethal Protector Should Serve as an Introduction for the Anit-Hero

Venom: Lethal Protector Will Likely Give Venom His Own Story

While the character of Miles Morales was first introduced in Marvel's Spider-Man, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales was more of a proper introduction for the young superhero and served as his first standalone title. During this installment, his character was thoroughly developed, more so than he might have had the chance to be in one of the mainline games.

Ultimately, developing Miles' character in his standalone title benefited the series moving forward, as it allowed the subsequent mainline installment to focus more on Peter again and his relationships with Harry and Mary Jane. In the same way, Venom: Lethal Protector being more like Miles Morales means it will likely act as an introduction for the anti-hero that will establish his place in Insomniac's Marvel universe moving forward.

Insomniac's hack disclosed valuable information about its upcoming releases, including a 2025 release for Venom: Lethal Protector with an expected story length of about 8–10 hours, and a projected 2028 release window for Marvel's Spider-Man 3 .

According to HowLongToBeat, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales takes around 7.5 hours to complete, with about 10 more dedicated to completing everything the game offers. Venom: Lethal Protector's length is supposedly similar, which also suggests it will serve as little more than a character development opportunity for Venom, both in fleshing out his character as a whole and the anti-hero he has yet to become in Insomniac's Marvel universe, rather than delving into any more significant narratives concerning other characters.

Another thing to consider is Venom: Lethal Protector's possible connection to the comic book run of the same name that features Eddie Brock as its main character. If Insomniac has decided to go the route of making Eddie Brock the man behind the mask in Venom: Lethal Protector, the game will likely spend more time developing Eddie's character, rather than solely focusing on Venom. That being said, Venom is so much a part of Eddie that the symbiote would play a significant part in shaping Eddie's character anyway. Furthermore, considering Miles' more central role in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 following his standalone title, Venom and possibly Eddie would then play a key role in Marvel's Spider-Man 3 as well.

Venom: Lethal Protector Will Release Sooner Than the Next Mainline Installment

A benefit of Venom: Lethal Protector being more like Miles Morales is its projected release date of 2025. The game is shorter, and its narrative is most likely more streamlined than a mainline installment, both of which make it easier for Insomniac to move it through production quicker and out into the world sooner rather than later. This will undoubtedly please many fans of the franchise who were immediately ready for more when the credits rolled at the end of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and provide something that should whet their appetites until Marvel's Spider-Man 3 releases in 2028.

In short, Venom: Lethal Protector being more like Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the right call for Insomniac and the Marvel's Spider-Man franchise. The decision not only provides Venom with the chance for a thorough and captivating introduction but also allows for an earlier release date, which will keep the series alive much longer in the evolving and ever-growing world of superhero games. By drawing inspiration from the formula and structure of Miles Morales, Venom: Lethal Protector looks poised to establish a compelling tale for the anti-hero that will surely capture the attention of seasoned fans and newcomers alike.