Summary
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s highly anticipated launch is coming next month, with the iconic superheroes' presence in gaming more prevalent than it has ever been. Following the legacy established by Insomniac’s first outing with the character and the subsequent Miles Morales follow-up,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2is set to be the polished iteration of the open-world formula thatSpider-Mangames have become known for over the years.
BringingVenom and symbiote suit Spider-Maninto the current generation while featuring Miles as prominently as Peter Parker,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2has several bold new features that separate it from its predecessor. Fast-paced combat and open-world exploration throughout New York City can serve to fully immerse players into the role of a powerful superhero, but the modernSpider-Mangames are unlikely to capture the full depth of the character outside that core gameplay.Marvel’sSpider-Man 2may be ideal for those who want to do more crime-fighting, but the future of the IP could still branch out eventually by looking to thePersonaseries for immersive social simulation.
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Spider-Man’s Alter Ego is Vital
His endeavors as a superhero protecting his home are the primary aspect of Spider-Man with appeal to many, but his civilian alter ego has always been equally important. Originally conceived as an average high schooler who coincidentally acquires his powers, the character of Peter Parker was created to be relatable to young people at similar stages in life. The drama of managing both his regular and secret life has always been essential to the tension at the heart ofSpider-Man’s most recognizable stories, making him far more than just another man in spandex who punches criminals.
The dynamic of his double life is core to the identity of Spider-Man in the vast majority of depictions, but video game adaptations of the character haven’t ever tried to adapt this into mechanics. FromWeb of ShadowstoShattered Dimensions, games over the years have put their resources into the action that Spider-Man engages in, with stories predictably revolving around serious conflicts with threatening supervillains.
Taking things further than ever,Marvel’s Spider-Manbrought a cinematic quality to its narrative with small segments focused on Peter, whileMiles Moralesdialed this up even further with its titular hero. Despite these strong representations, there has never been much specific context for the place of Spider-Man’s civilian role within actual gameplay. It’s a challenging prospect to craft systems outside of combat that are equally compelling, butPersonais a famous JRPG franchise that has proven it is more than possible.
What Spider-Man Could Learn From the Persona Franchise
Spider-Man has always fought to maintain a balance between his two distinct personalities, a dynamic that is capable of perfectly mirroring thePersonaseries of RPGs. Featuring scenarios that see players switching between combat and social simulation,Personaoffers a blueprint for a game that could breathe life into Spider-Man in a way that games have never pulled off before.
Game adaptations have merely seen players mostly facing off against enemies as the superhero, but adding a layer of social mechanics could make the player’s decisions have far more lasting consequences. Relationships and home life have always been major parts of Spider-Man’s mythos, and following in Atlus’ footsteps is a great way to make this just as important within gameplay.
Marvel’s Spider-Manand its upcoming sequel may focus on a Peter Parker who is an adult and years into his career, but the modern character ofMiles Moralesoffers the perfect chance to capture a private school dynamic that Insomniac could easily adapt withPersonainspirations for attending classes and meeting up with companion NPCs. Love, education, mentorship from Peter, and his own battles are all different aspects of Miles' life that could see equal development, while a reboot centered around Peter may one day have just as much potential.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2launches on October 20, exclusively for PS5.
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