Insomniac Games has shown itself to have a knack for making great superhero games because Marvel has trusted it with some of its most prized IPs. Spider-Man, released in 2018, showed gamers just how addictive web-swinging through New York City can be, and its success on the PS4 has spawned a PC port that is set to release in August this year. For more superhero fun, gamers can also look forward to Insomniac's Wolverine, which is still in early development, and Spider-Man 2, which is expected to release in 2023.
With Spider-Man 2, gamers are expecting Insomniac to innovate on the foundation the first game laid, and it will likely do that. However, that does not mean the sequel should not retain all the good things from its predecessors. One of the interesting things Insomniac did was give Miles Morales his own game, which let gamers see New York City through the eyes of Peter's protégé. It was a refreshing twist on the Spider-Man formula, so Spider-Man 2 should feature a Miles Morales-specific DLC where gamers can spend some time with Miles without Peter getting in the way.
Spider-Man 2 Is on the Way
After Spider-Man's success, it is no surprise that Insomniac has a sequel on the way. Gamers got their first proper glimpse of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 in 2021 during Sony's PlayStation Showcase event. Thanks to the power of the PS5, it is a visual delight, and more detail than ever is visible on Spider-Man's suit. Interestingly, the trailer shows Spider-Man making use of his Iron Spider legs, which may be a nice addition to his arsenal. Though the Iron Spider suit exists in the original Spider-Man game, the prominence of the Iron Spider legs in the trailer suggests they will play a more prominent role in the sequel.
The trailer also makes it evident that Venom will play a big role in the game, which is good news because he is one of the most interesting villains in the Spider-Man universe. Venom is an alien symbiote who survives by invading a host. Though he grants the host powers, it comes at a terrible cost. Famously, he takes control of Peter Parker who embraces Venom at first but separates from him when he learns of his true nature. Kraven the Hunter is also hinted at, but he will likely be a minor enemy next to Venom.
The trailer features two Spider-Men, with the second one being Miles Morales. After having proved himself in Spider-Man Miles Morales, he appears to be willing to take on far more responsibility, including taking on villains like Venom. The appearance of Miles Morales suggests that he will play a prominent role in the sequel, which is good to know, as he is an interesting character whose life story opens up many potential. Reception to his appearance has been met with excitement by many gamers, with some speculating that it may open for Spider-Man 2 co-op gameplay (although scarce details suggest otherwise)
Although Miles Morales will play a bigger role in this official numbered sequel, he should still get a DLC with Peter out of the picture. Peter has a magnetic personality, and his witty quips and sincerity make it hard to not like him. With Peter around, Miles will always be just a sidekick, and to some degree, that is all he may prove to be in the upcoming Spider-Man game. However, in a DLC, Peter can find some excuse to go on holiday again (or at least exit the picture), and gamers can get to explore Miles more without worrying about Peter's shadow.
Miles Morales Has Some Pretty Cool Powers
Whether playing as Miles or Peter, being Spider-Man is fun. Web-swinging through the city is one of the most exhilarating forms of travel in an open-world game, and fast travel does not seem worth it when players can soar through the sky and do stunts to get to their destination. Combat is also very satisfying, and launching enemies in the air before stringing together combos never gets old. While both Peter and Miles have some great powers, Miles has a few extra powers that would be great to expand on in a Spider-Man 2 Miles Morales DLC.
Both Peter and Miles get their powers through a spider bite, but Miles' spider grants him a couple of extra abilities. Unlike Peter, Miles has bio-electric powers, which translates into some pretty shocking moves. Using Venom, not to be confused with the enemy, he can stun groups of enemies and blast through big brutes with ease. Moves like Venom Punch and Venom Slash are powerful ways to make light work of foes, and with his electric flair, Miles' moves just look better than Peter's. Miles' Venom powers come in handy when he is dealing with the Underground, and Insomniac could find new ways to weave in his powers into a Spider-Man 2 DLC. Sure, it's likely to expand some in the base game, but a proper DLC could show off more.
Miles is also able to use Camouflage which, for a short amount of time, makes him invisible. Using this ability, he can approach stealth missions in a completely different, and arguably more fun, way than Peter does. While Peter has to crawl around corners and creep up from behind, Miles can simply make himself invisible, take down an enemy, and flee while the other enemies are left confused. Although it can feel like Miles' powers make him overpowered at times, it ensures that playing as Miles feels distinctly different from playing as Peter. It would be a pity if there was not a DLC where players could go wild with just Miles again.
Insomniac has a busy schedule ahead, but that is not anything new for the studio. Expectations are high for Spider-Man 2, especially with Venom making an appearance. Venom is the one villain who can truly wreak havoc in all spheres of Peter's life, including his personal life, so gamers may be in for an emotional tale. Hopefully, the game gets a Miles Morales DLC, so that gamers can get another in-depth exploration of Miles outside of Peter's shadow.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is expected to release in 2023 on PS5.