Spider-Man 2 is style over substance (and I love it)
23.10.2023 - 17:19
/ destructoid.com
/ Miles Morales
Despite Insomniac Games’ position as an industry leader, I’ve struggled to understand why its games are so beloved when they often feel so infantile. Ratchet and Clank games have never pried a smile from me, and I found it a chore to complete Miles Morales.
Through Spider-Man 2, Insomniac Games has once again set a new bar when it comes to presenting some of the most polished AAA games of the last few years. With this game, I think I may have figured out why the studio attracts so many ardent fans around the world.
There’s very little you can say to make an honest argument against the game’s performance and presentation. It offers a good array of graphical options, allowing players to decide whether they prefer framerate or fidelity. Either way, you don’t lose out on too much visual quality, as both modes feature ray-tracing. There’s also uncapped VRR available to make the most of the game performance-wise.
New York is prettier than ever, especially compared to its PS4 predecessor. As you web-swing through the city, you’re treated to impressive reflections on the cloud-tickling towers and streets populated with bustling commuters and congested traffic. It may just be one of the best-looking games on the console at the moment.
Insomniac has even had time to add a few Easter eggs for hardcore Spider-Man fans. A couple of suits reference the Spider-Verse movies, and you can even add comic book special effects to make you feel like you’re living out your favorite Spider-Man comic.
The quality doesn’t let up when it comes to the audio. Although the soundtrack is nothing special, the game utilizes 3D audio so precisely that you’re able to easily pinpoint which direction enemy attacks are coming from. When walking the streets, the sounds of the city are satisfyingly immersive, and when you close your eyes, it’s easy to imagine you’re in the Big Apple.
The game is also one of the best showcases of the DualSense controller’s features since Astro’s Playroom. The adaptive triggers make web-swinging more immersive, and the haptic feedback is so expertly used that you can feel the texture of the street under your wheels during a mission that has Peter cycling.
To top it off, the game just oozes cool. It nails its aesthetic, managing to blend Spider-Man‘s comic book history with a sleek, modern interface. The characters always have something witty to say and even the villains are deliciously devious, making encounters with them unforgettable. All of these features help make Spider-Man 2 a jewel on the PS5’s crown.
Though there’s plenty of praise that can be piled onto Spider-Man 2, I find myself unable to escape the feeling that though the experience may be a flashy one, it is ultimately superficial and