Summary
AAA sequels nowadays are always at an unfair crossroads: continue onward with mechanics established in their predecessors and inevitably get compared to them as a result, or choose to completely reinvent themselves and risk alienating anyone who fell for the franchise’s previously established direction.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2chose the former approach and did so well, choosing to enhance traversal and combat to a terrific level at the cost of being remarkably similar toMarvel’s Spider-Man.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2does feature both playable Spider-Men, parries, and a wealth of other new features, but it also lacks in content once players roll credits. Like its predecessor,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2is an easy Platinum for better or worse, and its post-launch updates unfortunately don’t guarantee any substantial content will be added like the original game’s episodic City That Never Sleeps DLC. Insomniac’s plate is full enough as it is and it likely wants to move on to developing those titles, but if any game deserved anElden RingShadow of the Erdtree-sized DLC it isMarvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Skins Might Not Be Enough as Post-Launch DLC
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s New Game Plus updateis wonderful to finally see and it arriving with new suits is to be expected from Insomniac after growing accustomed to pepperingMarvel’s Spider-Man’s with random suit updates after launch. Moreover, two ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s new suits, Fly N’ Fresh, support Gameheads for a period after they’re available in-game.
The Hellfire Gala suits are a welcome addition, too, but overall this update is only launching with a New Game Plus feature and more skins without any big story-related DLC announcement. If this iswhat’s to be expected ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 2updates in the future, there may not be a huge incentive to leap back in.
Of course, Insomniac was never obligated to supplyMarvel’s Spider-Man 2with post-launch DLC and especially not anything within the scope ofElden Ring’s upcoming expansion, butMarvel’s Spider-Man’s episodic DLC packs were phenomenal and the sequel has some clear layups as to which characters and events it could expand its story with.
Insomniac’s Unsolicited Roadmap Makes a Large Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 DLC Unlikely
Unfortunately, becauseInsomniac suffered an insidious ransomware hackit’s already made plain what the developer’s plans are concerning theMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchise, let alone other Marvel endeavors it has planned. This could always be subject to change, of course, but at the moment there’s no reason to believe Insomniac will be diverging from it if this slate has already been decided upon and is actionable.
In that case, it appears as ifMarvel’s Spider-Manwill only be getting a couple more entries: astandalone Venom spin-off, presumably something similar to theMiles Moraleshalf-sequel, and a thirdMarvel’s Spider-Manmainline game. If Insomniac was also working on a massive expansion toMarvel’s Spider-Man 2it would either be public knowledge by now or revealed as part of this hack, leavingMarvel’s Spider-Man 3with quite a few loose threads to wrap up before the web-slinging series eventually hangs up Spider-Man’s tights.
It would be great to seeMarvel’s Spider-Mancontinue onward from Insomniac, but the studio may have its sights set on Wolverine and the X-Men now anyway. Spider-Man would feel out of place as the only non-mutant in an X-Men ensemble, and yet the fact thatMarvel’s Wolverineis reportedly part ofMarvel’s Spider-Man’s canonmeans any sort of odd crossover between these games is entirely plausible.
Either way,Marvel’s Spider-Manneeds ample time to bookend the stories and developments it established in its sequel, and a Shadow of the Erdtree-sized DLC would have been a perfect vessel for that. Rather, perhapsMarvel’s Spider-Man 3will get that opportunity instead.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
