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Writer's pictureTHEODYSSEY

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: A JOURNEY TO GREATNESS

The dynamic duo of Spider-Man and Miles Morales swing through the sunny skies of a futuristic New York City.
Image via INSOMNIAC GAMES / SONY

Marvel's Spider-Man has received some of the highest ratings video games have ever seen. The vast majority of gamers are pleased with the video game adaptation of the Spider-Man comic book series.


There’s something incredible about swinging around a city, exploring side quests, completing tasks, defeating enemies, learning new skills, and engaging in immersive cut scenes. When played on the right console, particularly coupled with a 4K TV, the graphics are outstanding.


The action fight scenes in all of the Spider-Man games since 2018 have really allowed game developers to test the limits of their creativity. When it all comes together, gamers feel like they are playing a masterpiece, which is apparent from all the positive comments and reviews about the game series.


Ape Odyssey is a game analysis blog delivering the latest video game reviews. We rely on our gaming community’s insights to produce the latest and most relevant content for our fans and subscribers. Learn more tips and tricks from our blog page and apply them to the next video game series you decide to play!


Let’s explore more about Marvel's Spider-Man.



A Comprehensive Review of Marvel's Spider-Man (2018)


A thrilling boss battle scene from Spider-Man 2, featuring a formidable villain in an epic showdown against Spider-Man.
Image via INSOMNIAC GAMES / SONY

Marvel's Spider-Man, which was developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, swung (pun intended) onto the gaming scene in 2018 as an exclusive title for the PlayStation 4. It delivers an unparalleled superhero gaming experience and masterfully balances a compelling narrative, breathtaking visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics, earning widespread acclaim from critics and players alike.


What makes Marvel's Spider-Man so amazing is its gripping narrative. Players meet an older, more experienced Peter Parker, navigating the dual challenges of being Spider-Man and managing his personal life. The storytelling is a mixture of classic Spider-Man lore and some original elements, creating an emotionally engaging narrative from start to finish. The character dynamics, especially Peter Parker's relationships with Aunt May, Mary Jane, and other important characters, are well-developed and add intensity to the overall narrative. Game analysis blogs note that one of the standout features of the game is its fluid and intuitive web-swinging mechanics. 


Navigating the open-world New York City is not just a means of transportation but an exhilarating experience. The attention to detail in the city's environmental design is remarkable, including iconic landmarks, changing weather, and a dynamic day-night cycle that adds realism to the game. The city is not just a backdrop or visual representation of NYC but a living entity contributing to the gaming experience.


Combat in Marvel's Spider-Man involves a fair bit of acrobatics, web-slinging, and gadgetry. Gaming community insights make it clear that the combat system is not only visually spectacular but also offers a satisfying level of depth. Players can seamlessly switch between different combat styles, rely on a variety of gadgets, and pull off jaw-dropping combos. The integration of Spider-Man’s abilities, including his Spider-Sense and the use of environmental objects in combat, adds strategic depth to enemy encounters.


The game's expansive open world provides a playground for exploration and side activities. From stopping petty crimes to tackling more complex challenges, players can lose themselves in the vibrant and bustling streets of New York City. Side quests and collectibles offer extra layers to the narrative, providing context to the world and rewarding players for their curiosity.


The voice acting, particularly Yuri Lowenthal's portrayal of Peter Parker, is a striking aspect of the game. The voice actors bring the characters to life, and the witty banter between Spider-Man and his adversaries adds humor to the experience. The soundtrack is composed by John Paesano and complements the high-intensity action and emotional beats of the narrative, enhancing the overall cinematic feel of the game. Many game analysis blogs talk about how Marvel’s Spider-Man is almost a movie experience.


The game also excels in the attention it gives to its villains. It features a mix of iconic and lesser-known villains from Spider-Man's extensive rogues gallery. Each villain is given their moment to shine, contributing to a narrative that keeps players immersed in their seats. The design and execution of these villains are superb if you consider the visual elements and the villains’ roles in the story, exhibiting the game studio’s commitment to delivering a top-tier superhero experience.


Post-launch support for Marvel's Spider-Man further solidified its status as an evolving game. Insomniac Games released downloadable content (DLC) expansions that continued the story, introduced new challenges, and expanded the array of suits available to players. This commitment to ongoing support demonstrated the developer's dedication to keeping players engaged and satisfied long after the game's initial release. Overall, Marvel’s Spider-Man set the stage for the following games, which were released in 2020 and 2023.



A Comprehensive Review of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020)


A scene from Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales of Miles Morales tackling an opponent.
Image via INSOMNIAC GAMES / SONY

Building on the success of its predecessor, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales swings onto the gaming scene as an expansion for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. 


Developed (again) by Insomniac Games, this installment shifts the focus to Miles Morales, offering a fresh perspective, a new set of abilities, and an emotionally charged narrative that explores themes of identity, responsibility, and cultural heritage.


The narrative of Miles Morales is a standout element of the game. It masterfully connects Miles' personal journey with his responsibilities as the new Spider-Man. The storytelling addresses Miles' Afro-Latino heritage, adding cultural depth to the character and the world around him. The game captures Miles' struggle to balance expectations with his desire to forge his own path as a hero.


Visually, Miles Morales takes full advantage of the PlayStation 5's capabilities. The game showcases incredible graphics, improved load times, and enhanced visual effects, delivering a next-gen experience that immerses players in the vibrancy of New York City. Game analysis blogs talk about the web-swinging feature and how it has been improved for the PS5, offering a superior sensory experience for gamers.


Innovative suit powers distinguish Miles Morales from its predecessor. Miles' unique abilities, including invisibility and bio-electric attacks, offer new strategic possibilities in combat while reflecting his distinct identity as a superhero. The cultural soundtrack, featuring a diverse range of music styles, contributes to the authenticity of Miles' world, adding an extra layer of immersion.


Gaming community insights reveal that the emotional storytelling in Miles Morales is almost a highlight, exploring the complexities of Miles' relationships with his family, friends, and mentors. The game introduces moral choices and consequences, allowing players to influence the storyline while maintaining autonomy in Miles' journey. This aspect of the game’s storytelling makes it replayable and personalizes the overall experience.


Miles Morales successfully integrates elements from the ‘Spider-Verse’ comic storyline, embracing the multiverse concept to showcase the diversity of Spider-People. This inclusion not only pays respect to the broader Spider-Man concept but also opens the door to exciting possibilities for future stories within the Spider-Man gaming universe.


Accessibility features are another area where Miles Morales excels, ensuring players of all abilities can enjoy the superhero experience. The game's photo mode is a returning feature from its predecessor and allows players to capture and share stunning in-game moments, enabling creativity and community engagement.


Post-launch content and updates for Miles Morales continue the trend set by the first game. Insomniac Games has provided additional suits, challenges, and expansions, keeping the player community engaged and excited for what the future holds. The game's seamless transition between PS4 and PS5 exhibits the benefits of cross-generational play, allowing players to experience Miles' journey with superior visuals and performance on the latest console.


Overall, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales left a positive impression on gamers, creating excitement and anticipation for the latest game releases.



A Comprehensive Review of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (2023)


A striking scene of Spider-Man suited up in a new and improved suit, poised to leap from the NYC skyline in the pouring rain.
Image via INSOMNIAC GAMES / SONY

Miles Morales created high expectations for gamers, who were eagerly anticipating the next release in 2023. The reviews for Spider-Man 2 have been vastly positive since the game has exceeded expectations and delivered another Spider-Man, a larger map, enhanced combat mechanics and fight sequences, and an exhilarating display of emotional immersion.


Game analysis blogs have only one criticism for the latest game installment, which is that it is not that long to complete. This was a bit of a bummer for players who were looking forward to hours of gameplay. However, if you focus too much on the main storyline, you will find that the game is not as long as you imagined. 


Despite this, players can pursue all of the side quests and acquire new skills from every corner of the map before deciding to progress the main story. Doing this allows them to enjoy the entire experience, including the graphics, combat sequences, cut scenes, and skill-tree enhancements and upgrades.


There is no denying that Marvel’s Spider-Man has done it again and delivered the best game yet. Gaming community insights have stated clearly that everyone is really happy with how the game turned out and the improvements added by Insomniac Games. With something spectacular, there isn’t much room for improvement, right? Actually, it turns out that there are endless ways to enhance the gameplay and overall experience, which is exactly what Insomniac Games delivered with the latest Spider-Man game.


Many gamers weren’t exactly sure how the combat could be improved even further. There is only so much you can do to improve fight sequences between Spider-Man and common enemies encountered on the map. However, the game has at least maintained the same level of fun as previous releases, contributing to an immersive experience.


Spider-Man can effectively dodge and parry attacks, rely on new acrobatic finishers, and deliver incredible combos while keeping the fights as aesthetic as possible. Gaming community insights point out that Spider-Man 2 doesn't have as much stealth as you'd expect. Spider-Man typically has the ability to defeat enemies silently and without being noticed, so the new installment provided something different from its predecessors. Although it's fairly easy to take out certain enemies using stealth, the game propels you into taking massive action, such as fighting a group of enemies at once and mastering your parries and dodges.


The game's antagonist Venom in an epic confrontation with Spider-Man and Miles Morales that players can experience in Spider-Man 2.
Image via INSOMNIAC GAMES / SONY

Spider-Man 2 is slightly different from its predecessors in that it has a greater variety of enemies to fight. Players will encounter enemies wielding flamethrowers, baseball bats, guns, and lasers, restricting their movements and challenging their combat skills. Figuring out exactly what works makes this game captivating, as players need to adopt the right strategies to minimize damage.


Following the release of Spider-Man 2, gaming community insights reveal the excitement and the willingness to engage in discussions. Reviews are coming through, providing insights into the game's mechanics, storyline, and overall gaming experience. As players immerse themselves in the sequel, their expectations are being met—and in some cases—exceeded.


The visual elements of the PS5 are on full display, with stunning graphics and lifelike animations contributing to the game's immersive world. The ability to play with both Peter Parker and Miles Morales is praiseworthy since it adds depth to the story and provides unique gameplay perspectives. 


Overall, the seamless integration of action and storytelling has captivated fans, solidifying Spider-Man 2 as a standout title on the next-gen console. As players swing through the digital streets of New York, the game's success not only meets but also surpasses the expectations set by its predecessor, establishing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 as a must-play for fans of the superhero genre.


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Ape Odyssey is a game analysis blog that specializes in providing the latest video game reviews. Our expertise lies in taking our gaming community’s insights seriously and producing the most relevant and exciting content in the gaming world.


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