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Spider-Man video games are a lot like pizza – even a bad one is usually pretty stomachable. So when the developer takes the time to give one a little extra care, it can really take things to a different level. And that’s exactly what Insomniac did with Marvel’s Spider-Man released in 2018 for the PlayStation 4.
Insomniac and Sony have shared a strong relationship dating back to 1998’s Spyro the Dragon that continued on with the Ratchet & Clank series, but the agreement wasn’t initially exclusive. In 2014, Insomniac teamed up with Microsoft to develop a game for the Xbox One and PC called Sunset Overdrive, an over the top action-adventure title with heavy emphasis on freestyle traversal such as jumping and rail grinding. Shorty afterward, Sony reached out to Insomniac in regards to developing a Marvel game, a license that Activision had held for twenty years prior. The team decided on an original Spider-Man story, then settled in for a four-year development cycle.
The game follows Peter Parker who acquired superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Using his gift to protect the streets of New York City as a secret alter ego Spider-Man, he finds it difficult to also maintain a social life and relationship with love interest and news reporter Mary Jane. Working as a research assistant, he begins to uncover his mentor’s (Dr. Otto Octavius’) dark secret regarding the recent project he’s been a part of. The game covers a lot of ground and introduces many of the franchise’s well known characters. Along the way he meets a young Miles Morales, whose father is tragically killed before Miles is bitten himself.
Gamplay borrows heavily from the Batman Arkham series, a blueprint that fits the superhero genre exceptionally well. An RPG-style skill tree allows players to upgrade and customize Spider-Man’s abilities to their own liking, while different spider-suits each offer unique benefits. Arguably the most enjoyable traversal system of any open world game, developers absolutely nailed the Spidey’s movements. Taking lessons learned from Sunset Overdrive, the superhero’s signature swings and grapples can be executed with ease, often giving the player Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater vibes. The effortless satisfaction of zipping around almost renders the fast-travel system pointless – I think I used it twice in the entire 20 hour campaign.
The open world elements are pretty standard but well executed. Locate towers (in this case police surveillance stations) to reveal map objectives, and there are plenty of them! Each area of the map is densely packed with objectives, quests, and collectibles, ensuring players have hours and hours of things to do. Understand that this game contains a whole lot of combat, but fortunately it’s pretty smooth and engaging – even if it does get repetitive. Enemies take the form of thug organizations that control the streets. Spider-Man is able to restore peace in each neighborhood by intervening in street crimes that occur between missions. Of course, there are some epic boss fights as well, further emphasizing the player’s already immense sense of sense of power.
Marvel’s Spider-Man strengthened the working relationship between the developer and publisher, prompting Sony to purchase Insomniac in 2019 for a whopping $229 million. In 2020, the launch of the PlayStation 5 saw a spin-off using the same engine: Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Alongside this follow-up was a PS5 remaster of the 2018 original, both in place to keep audiences entertained while developing a full-on sequel. PC users received a port of the original in 2022, and as of this writing, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is expected to release in Fall of 2023.
