After the big PlayStation 5 reveal, it’s not very surprising that one of the console’s biggest selling points was the announced Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It is expected to release as a launch title for Sony’s new console and will no doubt be a big reason why many gamers will be waiting to preorder the machine.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales isn’t a true sequel, however, in that – aside from the obvious graphical enhancements and load time speeds – it will likely be reusing a lot of the original 2018 game’s assets. This doesn’t mean that the developers Insomniac Games don’t have the ability to surprise its fans with lots of twists, turns, and a new set of villains. Let’s take a look at five villains we want to see in Miles Morales’ adventures and 5 we don’t.
10 Want: The Prowler
One of the biggest story arcs in the Miles Morales comic books is his complicated relationship with his uncle Aaron Davis AKA The Prowler. The Prowler arc is what helped defined Morales’ character and cemented his own legacy in the Spider-Verse.
For many fans of the comics, Aaron Davis is the closest thing that Morales’ Spider-Man has to an arch-enemy in the series, and in many ways serves as the antithesis of Peter Parker's Uncle Ben. The most important aspect of the whole Prowler arc is how Miles breaks free of his uncle’s manipulation to become his own man which is totally in sync with the new game’s tagline “Be Greater, Be Yourself”.
9 Don’t Want: Kingpin
Wilson Fisk AKA The Kingpin has a knack for getting himself out of jail and back to control the criminal underworld of New York City. So it wouldn’t be at all surprising if he makes a return in Miles’ Spider-Man game after the events of the first game.
The Kingpin is a great villain in the Marvel comics and on-screen. However, the character has been a villainous presence in far too many Spider-Man video games already. He’s made an appearance in nearly every Spidey game since the early 90s. The big man has also appeared in The Punisher video games, LEGO Marvel Superheroes, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, and more. It’s fair to say that the fans need a break.
8 Want: The Bombshells
In the Ultimate Spider-Man comics The Bombshells are a mother and daughter pair of supervillains that play a huge part in Miles Morales’ story. This is mainly because of the relationship that develops between Miles and the daughter Lana.
There was a lot of time and effort that went into showcasing the relationship between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson in the original Spider-Man game. Naturally, the relationship dynamic which would develop over time between Lana and Miles has the be potential to be far more interesting than the soap opera-like drama of Peter and Mary Jane’s on-again-off-again text messages.
7 Don’t Want: Shocker
The Shocker is usually considered something of a B-Grade supervillain in the Spider-Man comics. While he does give Spider-Man the occasional bit of threat he’s never really seen as much of a threat. He like The Kingpin is another character that has appeared in several Marvel games as a sub-level boss fight.
Furthermore, Miles’ energy-based powers like the “Venom Blast” and the "Mega Venom Blast" would easily debilitate the likes of The Shocker. Bosses and sub-bosses should definitely present a sense of danger to the player in the new video game and The Shocker just doesn't cut it.
6 Want: Venom
While it’s true that the Venom character has had his fair share of appearances in Spider-Man video games of the past, his absence was definitely felt in the 2018 game. As a result of the reference at the end of the original game, it’s very likely that they will keep the character to square off against Peter Parker’s version in the sequel.
However, the variation of the Venom that Miles Morales encounters in the Venom War story arc could still be a great way to introduce him into Insomniac's own unique universe.
5 Don’t Want: Kangaroo
Frank Oliver AKA Kangaroo is a mob boss that rises in the place of The Kingpin and takes over his criminal empire. So with The Kingpin in prison, it may make sense that Oliver would take his place in Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
However, from a gameplay perspective Oliver, like The Kingpin uses brute strength in a fight which would often lead to him making mistakes for Spidey to exploit. Unfortunately, this means that the inevitable boss fight against Kangaroo would play out far too similar to the one against Fisk.
4 Want: Mysterio
The supervillain Mysterio is one of Spider-Man’s oldest foes in the comics and cartoons. The character was even the main antagonist in Spider-Man: Far From Home. In the comics Peter Parker’s Spider-Man and Miles’ version team up to fight Mysterio in the multi-dimensional Spider-Men story arc.
The two had great chemistry in the comics which would translate well into the video games for a team-up fight with Peter & Miles taking on Mysterio. Taking into account Mysterio’s powers, the missions could be akin to the Scarecrow Nightmare scenarios in the Batman: Arkham series.
3 Don’t Want: Omega Red
Omega Red has long been known as a mutant enemy of the X-Men. In Miles’ universe, he doesn’t have the metallic look from the original comics but he does still possess the ability to attack with tentacles that come out from his arms.
The biggest issue with this is, his abilities in a video game boss fight may end up being too similar to the fights against Dr. Octopus in the original Spider-Man game. The expanded story featuring Miles needs to do everything it can to avoid the repetition that was present in the original game.
2 Want: Green Goblin
It seems that Insomniac’s version of Spider-Man is avoiding the use of parallel universes to create a good teacher and student relationship between Parker and Morales. However, that doesn’t mean that they still can’t throw in a tragedy or two into Spider-Man: Miles Morales too.
The Ultimate Spider-Man comics completely shocked fans when Peter Parker’s version of Spider-Man (spoiler alert) died at the hands of the Green Goblin. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility for Insomniac to try something similar too as the first game dealt with loss.
1 Don’t Want: The Sinister Six Reborn
The Sinister Six Reborn is a new group of villains that places Miles Morales’ uncle Aaron as its leader under the new guise of the Iron Spider. The villainous team also includes Bombshell, Hobgoblin, Sandman, Spot, and Electro.
While there’s nothing wrong with this version of the Sinister Six, yet another version of this team setting itself up as Spider-Man's primary antagonistic force could be in serious danger or retreading old ground. While it may be difficult to avoid a feeling familiarity in Miles’ story, Insomniac Games need to avoid making the game feel like it's the same game reskinned.