Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has officially been revealed, and based on the trailer’s comments and view count, fans of Insomniac’s series seem to be thrilled with what was shown. A team-up move seemingly confirms combo finishers that involve both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, while some updated suits make it clear that Insomniac is willing to expand upon what already worked. The reveals of Venom and Kraven confirm a massive rogues’ gallery for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, giving fans the chance to theorize about how the story will play out.
However, one interesting part of the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 reveal trailer that is not being discussed nearly enough is Peter’s Iron Spider legs. The original wall-crawler is shown using this upgrade throughout the reveal, seemingly confirming that it will be a key part of his arsenal in the next game. While it was a Suit Power in the original Marvel’s Spider-Man, the focus on the extra Iron Spider appendages in the trailer implies that they will be more than just another suit-related upgrade in the sequel. Still, Insomniac will need to make sure that to avoid a situation where the Iron Spider legs are too powerful.
The Danger Of Broken Iron Spider Legs In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
While the Iron Spider legs were nice to see in Marvel’s Spider-Man, they were not the most broken Suit Power available to Peter. That honor goes to Web Blossom, the Marvel’s Spider-Man Suit Power tied to the repaired Classic suit. The move could instantly wipe out an entire group of enemies, ending a tough fight or random crime with the press of a button. While it is good to feel powerful in singleplayer games, this suit power went a bit too far, as it was so strong that players had no reason to use the other suit-related abilities.
If the Iron Spider legs are too good in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, they could overshadow the rest of Peter’s tech. Even worse, they could prove to be stronger than Miles’ Venom powers, making the younger Spidey weaker and less interesting to control as a result. One criticism of the MCU’s version of Spidey is the plentiful tech seen in his suits, with the Iron Spider being a prime example of this. The Iron Spider being so strong in the films has made it hard to believe Peter would use other costumes, and it is so effective that some feel it takes any sense of danger out of his fights. With the Iron Spider seemingly written out of Spider-Man: Far From Home for that reason, Insomniac needs to make sure that this addition to Peter’s Advanced Suit is not a step too far.
Why The Iron Spider Legs Are A Necessary Addition To Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
At the same time, Insomniac must ensure that the extra legs are a worthwhile addition to Peter’s moveset. While an element of difficulty is still important, the legs need to feel like an exciting addition to the hero’s arsenal. One way to do this is to have them on a cooldown like Miles’ Venom attacks, with combos and dodges charging them up. This way, once Peter builds up enough of the meter, players can let loose with the legs for a set amount of time. New combos and special finishers could be opened up, making them something to work towards in every fight.
After Spider-Man: Miles Morales released, it became clear that something like the Iron Spider legs was a must for Peter’s moveset in the sequel. Miles is simply more fun to play than his mentor, as the Venom strikes add an extra layer to his gameplay that Peter does not have. With the lightening and camo helping Miles stand out, though, Peter needed something different. The Iron Spider legs do fill that void, as they give Peter something extra to make his combat stand out from Miles’.
Clearly, Insomniac Games has a tough balance to keep between the legs being too strong or too weak. They need to be powerful and fun to use without completely overshadowing Peter’s other gear or Miles’ Venom powers. When factoring in other suit-related abilities and different enemy types, making the legs work well in every battle likely becomes even tougher. Still, Insomniac’s work on the Marvel’s Spider-Man games thus far should have fans confident that the studio will find a way to make the Iron Spider legs balanced.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches in 2023 on the PS5.