Warning: Minor Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2has officially released, and for most fans and critics, the game did not disappoint. Improvements to combat and traversal mean that the game plays better than any other Spider-Man title, and the PlayStation 5’s power ensures it is a technical marvel on top of that. The story is full of stellar performances from the entire cast in addition to memorable missions and genuine surprises, and none of the game’s side activities feel like filler. However, despite there being so much to praise,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2is suffering from one complaint: it lacks replayability.
Clearly, Insomniac Games is aware of this complaint, as the developer has already promised that new game plus and mission replay will come after launch. With no precise release date, though, fans could be stuck waiting for a while. This is a shame, as it means players have nowhere to make use of their unlocked suits and fully upgraded heroes apart fromMysteriumsand Random Crimes. While players can be patient, many will be wanting to keep playing, and starting over from scratch is not ideal for everyone. Fortunately, Insomniac has a way to make the wait more bearable: adding replayable activities.
Activities Are a Perfect Solution to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Replayability Problem
Replayable Hunter Bases Can Give Spider-Man 2 Players The Big Fights They’re Missing
Considering thatSpider-Man: Miles Moralesoffered players an option to replay bases, it’s truly strange that the feature was not present in the latest game. Players loved having the opportunity to challenge themselves with bases, as they could do a bit of stealth before seeing how they fare against waves of strong enemies. Why this replayable option was removed is unclear, but its absence is felt - especially with players still waiting for New Game Plus. Further, with combat challenges limited to the Mysteriums only Miles Morales can visit, players have very little to do with a fully-leveled Peter after the story, as they will clear theRandom Crimefights in seconds.
The Mysteriums in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are replayable, serving as the only replayable activity type despite only being accessible by one of the game’s heroes. It’s strange that Insomniac thought to make this activity replayable, but not the Bases or Symbiote Nests.
Replayable Bases, and perhaps the Hunter Blinds required to locate them, could put a band-aid over the game’s lack of replayability until new game plus and mission replay are integrated. Players looking for a long fight that puts their combat prowess to the test can swing right into a Base and draw the attention of every enemy in the area. Alternatively, those looking to enjoyMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s stealthwould surely welcome replayable Bases, as there are essentially no places to experience the stealth mechanics once the story and Bases have been cleared. While players may grow bored with replaying bases after a few clears, it would at least give them a place to enjoy bigger fights and stealth sequences - as well as a reliable way to snag the Web Line Trophy post-game.
Some of Spider-Man 2’s Other Activities Should Also Be Replayable
However, though Base replays should be a priority, and would hopefully be something that Insomniac Games can implement quickly and easily, the developer should not stop there. It could also make some of the game’s other activities replayable, as players would surely appreciate a second go at the Unidentified Targets traversal challenges. TheSandmanMemory Crystal fights could be fun to replay, too, as battling the sandy foes could make a nice change from the Hunters and Symbiotes.
Speaking of Symbiotes, second only to Bases are the Symbiote Nest activities, as holding off waves of aliens while protecting sonic charges made for a thrilling activity. Like Bases, these put players’ combat skills to the test, and they could be a great way for both Miles and Peter fans to have some post-story fun if they were tweaked to be replayable. While not every activity needs to be given this treatment, as the Prowler Stashes,EMF experiments, Photographs, and Spider Drones are best experienced once, the other activity types should be replayable just like the Mysteriums. Assuming that this is easier for Insomniac than crafting a full new game plus mode, it could be a great way to keep fans busy while they wait for that update to arrive.
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.
