Marvel's Spider-Man (2018): The Review
Overview
Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man is everything a great superhero game should be: fluid, exciting, and full of heart. This Spider-Man adventure puts players in the shoes of an "experienced" Peter Parker, balancing the responsibilities of being New York’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man while facing off against a growing threat led by Mister Negative. With incredible web-swinging mechanics, cinematic combat, and an emotionally charged story, Spider-Man delivers a fantastic experience that captures the essence of the beloved hero. While side content and open-world design could have used more variety, the core experience is nothing short of spectacular.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
The Positives ✅
One of the game’s biggest strengths is how good it feels to move. Web-swinging through New York is just pure fun. It’s smooth, fast, and somehow never gets old. Insomniac really nailed the physics and momentum in a way that makes even getting from point A to B an exciting thing on its own.
Combat is another high point. It builds on that Arkham-style rhythm but adds Spider-Man’s agility, gadgets, and web-based takedowns to the mix. The result is a system that’s not just fluid, but genuinely creative: fights are flashy, dynamic, and never feel like you’re just button-mashing your way through.
The story surprised me with how emotional and grounded it was. It’s not just superhero shenanigans, it’s also a strong Peter Parker story that balances big action moments with real personal struggles. You're meant to actually care about what’s happening, which makes the key story moments hit harder.
New York itself is a joy to swing through. It’s bright, detailed, and reactive – pedestrians cheer you on, cars honk, and you feel like the city is watching as you go. From the skyline to the smaller neighborhoods, it all feels alive.
The villains also shine in this superhero story. Mister Negative brings something fresh to the table, and classics like Kingpin and Doc Ock are handled with real care and intensity, even if some are underutilized. And the suit customization is a nice bonus: tons of options, each with their own flair and abilities, so you can really make this Spider-Man feel like your Spider-Man.
The Negatives ⚠️
As fun as the open world is at first, some of the side activities start to feel pretty repetitive over time. Stopping random crimes, clearing out enemy bases, and hunting down collectibles can get a little formulaic, especially if you’re going for 100%.
The stealth sections are another weak spot. The missions where you play as MJ or Miles feel slower and less interesting compared to the main gameplay. They break up the pacing, but not always in a good way: it’s hard not to wish you were back swinging around as Spidey instead.
There are side missions scattered throughout the city, but not many of them stand out. A few offer nice character moments, but most don’t feel as developed or memorable as the main story beats, which is a bit of a missed opportunity.
Boss fights, while flashy, don’t always deliver mechanically. A lot of them come down to the same dodge-then-web routine, and there’s not much variation in how they play out. They look great, sure, but gameplay-wise, they could’ve been more distinct.
The Experience 🎮
Marvel’s Spider-Man is a love letter to the web-slinger, delivering an emotionally rich story, jaw-dropping traversal, and thrilling combat. Insomniac successfully captures the essence of both Peter Parker and Spider-Man, making for one of the best superhero games ever made. While the open-world activities and side content could have been more varied, the sheer joy of swinging through New York and taking down villains more than makes up for it. Whether you're a lifelong Spidey fan or new to the character, this is an adventure that shouldn’t be missed.
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