Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (2023): The Review
Overview
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 swings higher than its predecessors, layering in fresh traversal tricks like the Web Wings and slick new combat abilities that make the action feel both familiar and excitingly new. The game shines in Performance Mode at a buttery 60 frames per second, but occasional bugs, crashes, and a few underwhelming elements across the board keep it from reaching true perfection.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
The Positives ✅
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 takes everything great from the previous games and cranks it up a notch. The introduction of new traversal mechanics like the Web Wings completely changes how you move through New York, letting you glide between rooftops with the kind of freedom you didn’t even know you wanted. Add to that enhanced combat abilities and a variety of gadgets, and suddenly, taking down a gang of goons or facing off against a symbiote-powered villain feels smoother, sharper, and more satisfying than ever. The game strikes this beautiful balance between familiarity and freshness, you’re never lost, but you’re constantly discovering something new, whether it’s a cool finishing move, a hidden collectible, or a dynamic web-swing combo.
Visually, the game is nothing short of stunning. From the sleek character designs, Peter, Miles, Venom, Kraven, to the incredibly detailed New York City skyline, every frame looks alive. The symbiote’s writhing design, the fluid animations for tag-team finishers, and the subtle touches in civilian behavior all make the city feel lived-in. And it’s not just pretty; the Performance Mode keeps everything at a smooth 60 frames per second, so the action never feels janky even when chaos erupts on the streets. Insomniac clearly put thought into the sound design too, Peter’s heroic trumpets, Miles’ modern beats, the roar of combat, and the dynamic voice acting all immerse you deeper into the superhero experience.
On top of that, the game nails the Spider-Man story formula. Peter and Miles aren’t just web-slinging machines; they’re people with struggles, losses, and relationships that matter. The story dives into their personal journeys, Peter dealing with Aunt May’s death, Miles processing his father’s absence, and the villains are iconic in their own right. Kraven’s obsession with the ultimate hunt, Venom’s menacing presence, and the brief touches of horror in stealth sections all feel meaningful and set up future expansions beautifully. Combined with a massive selection of suits, unlockable abilities, and engaging side content, Spider-Man 2 makes exploration, combat, and character progression feel rewarding and endlessly fun.
The Negatives ⚠️
That said, the game isn’t perfect. Bugs and glitches rear their heads more than they should, from visual clipping and lingering effects on Spider-Man’s model to the occasional mission-breaking bug that forces a restart or fast travel. Sometimes the game even credits you for completing an encounter while it’s still in progress, annoyances that temporarily yank you out of the action. Even minor visual inconsistencies, like some human NPCs’ faces looking “off” compared to the otherwise polished models, pull you out of the cinematic moments. And while the cutscenes and animations for Spider-Men and villains shine, a few in-game character animations—especially Mary Jane in combat, can feel weirdly resilient for a non-superpowered human, making the suspension of disbelief wobble.
Then there’s the pacing and campaign length. While the story is concise and engaging, clocking in at roughly 24 hours for a full platinum playthrough, some may find it short, especially considering the $70 price tag. The campaign wraps things up cleanly, but there’s a sense that some secondary characters and plot threads could have been expanded to give the city, and the story, more depth. And although the combat variety is excellent, juggling multiple enemy types at once can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly during high-intensity fights where timing and dodging are crucial. The game throws everything at you at once in moments, and without mastery of the skill tree, it can feel like a trial by fire.
Finally, there are aspects that feel a little “been there, done that”. While the game’s sound, side missions, and collectibles are polished, most are evolutions rather than revolutions. The dynamic soundtrack, the heroics, and the side content are all excellent, but they don’t completely reinvent the superhero open-world formula. If you’re a die-hard comic fan or someone who’s played the previous Spider-Man games to death, you might notice that some sections are very much “more of the same,” albeit significantly better executed.
The Experience 🎮
Playing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 feels like strapping into the full Spider-Verse. There’s this rush of freedom the moment you swing between skyscrapers with the Web Wings, soaring over streets alive with citizens, vehicles, and chaos below. It’s thrilling, addictive, and somehow still relaxing in the way that only Spider-Man traversal can be. Whether you’re zooming to a side mission, gliding across a glowing skyline at night, or chaining together finishers on a gang of enemies, there’s a rhythm to the city and your movements that makes you feel like Spider-Man, not just a player controlling him.
What makes it stand out further is how the game blends heroics and personal stakes. You’re not just stopping crime for the sake of points or XP, you’re making choices that reflect Peter and Miles’ struggles. Moments of triumph feel earned, and moments of loss, frustration, or moral decision-making hit emotionally. You’re constantly reminded that being a superhero isn’t just flashy fights; it’s responsibility, sacrifice, and balance. From swinging past iconic landmarks to engaging in intimate cutscenes with friends and family, the game gives you both the spectacle and the heart of Spider-Man’s life.
Finally, the side content and replayability keep you hooked long after the main story wraps. Collectibles, suit unlocks, and stunts make the city feel alive, and the speed and fluidity of movement mean it never feels like a grind. Even mundane tasks, rescuing civilians, completing side quests, exploring rooftops, carry that satisfying Spider-Man momentum that makes you want to keep going. By the end, you’re left with the feeling that the city is yours to protect, and the game has done its job so well that you can’t wait to return, swing by swing.
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