It has been five years since Insomniac’s “Spider-Man” video game hit the shelves, and the long-awaited sequel has finally arrived. On Oct. 20, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” was bought by millions of people worldwide.
The sequel carries on many elements from the first game as well as from its spinoff, aptly titled “Spider-Man: Miles Morales.”
“Spider-Man 2” boasts a grandiose story that makes the player feel like they are moving around through comic book panels.
This time around, the player has the choice to play as two spider-men. They have the option to play as Peter Parker or Miles Morales.
The story of “Spider-Man 2” let go of the first game’s emotional storyline and opted for a story more in line with a Spider-Man comic book. I enjoyed the story and felt that the team at Insomniac offered a nice balance for our two heroes.
When the player starts the game, they are greeted with the villainous Sandman. Peter Parker is greeted by an old friend, Harry Osborn. Osborn has been going through an experimental treatment, which is a suit that heals the wearer, giving Osborn superpowers.
Armed with his new powers, Osborn teams with Spider-Man to defeat one of the Rogues, Kraven the Hunter. The team meets their match as Kraven the Hunter stabs Spider-Man and nearly kills him. Fortunately, Osborn’s suit attaches to Spider-Man, and he is healed.
Throughout the next couple of days, Spider-Man’s personality changes and he becomes more violent. After a fight with the Lizard, Spider-Man finds out from Dr. Connors that Osborn’s suit is an alien symbiote, akin to the comics’ depiction of Venom. Spider-Man eventually loses control, and the suit almost takes full command of him. Miles Morales is the one that must save Spider-Man from himself.
I feel that the game serves as a fantastic adaption of the comic’s symbiote storyline. The video game’s choice to change the identity of Venom to Harry Osborn gave Spider-Man a more emotional angle.
“Spider-Man 2” is not a perfect game. I have a few gripes with it. In the first Spider-Man game, the player had a variety of web-based gadgets. For instance, we had the “Web Bomb,” and the “Impact Web.” In “Spider-Man 2” we still have gadgets to work with, but they are more technological than what we had previously. These gadgets are simply not as fun as what we had in the first game.
Aside from a few flaws, the game is a fun time to play through and a joy to finish, and the characters are as charming as ever. If you are a Spider-Man fan, there is a good chance you will enjoy “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.”
Review: “Spider-Man 2” is amazing, spectacular with unlimited possibilities
About the Contributor
Reed Lindsey, Staff Writer
Reed Lindsey is a junior English major. Reed is currently a staff writer for The Reflector.
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