The Podcast Beyond crew discusses the Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Review, focusing on the open world gameplay, missions, and lack of interactivity. They compare it to other open world games and explore the depth and expectations of Spider-Man 2. They also discuss the addition of Harry Osborne to the cast and the theme of familial relationships in the game.
The writing and depth of the Spider-Man characters are praised, while side missions and open world activities lack innovation.
The game explores themes of disappointing loved ones and the impact of maternal figures.
The portrayal of villains like Craven is intense and captivating, but there is a desire for a more dynamic criminal presence in the open world.
Deep dives
Review of Spider-Man 2
The podcast episode features a review of Spider-Man 2. The hosts discuss the overall rating of the game, which was an 8 out of 10. They highlight the strong writing and the depth of the Spider-Man characters, but also mention the lack of innovation in side missions and open world activities. The combat and traversal mechanics are praised for their smoothness and satisfaction. The hosts mention that the game explores themes of disappointing loved ones and the impact of maternal figures in the lives of the main characters. They also discuss the addition of Harry Osborne as a character and the emotional depth of the story. Overall, while some aspects of the game fall short, it is considered a great Spider-Man experience.
The Execution of Story and Gameplay
The hosts appreciate the strong writing and humor in the game, highlighting the funny and authentic interactions between characters. They discuss the balance between being Spider-Man and having to disappoint loved ones, emphasizing the challenges that come with being a superhero. The combat mechanics are praised for feeling satisfying and impactful, while the stealth mechanics are found to be less engaging. They mention the deep themes explored in the game, such as the importance of maternal figures in the lives of the main characters. Overall, the hosts admire how the game takes bold risks, even if it deviates from traditional Spider-Man lore.
Villains and Open World Exploration
The hosts discuss the portrayal of the villains in the game, with special mention of Craven and the intense encounters with him. They acknowledge the absence of major villain threats in the open world and express a desire for a more dynamic and challenging criminal presence. The open world activities are criticized for lacking innovation, relying on repetitive tasks from the previous game. However, the hosts appreciate the improvements in traversal mechanics and the visual design of the open world. They mention the inclusion of Harry Osborne as a well-integrated character and the satisfaction of unlocking new abilities and gadgets. Despite some shortcomings, the hosts maintain that the game offers a fun and enjoyable Spider-Man experience.
The Impressive Fast Travel System
Spider-Man 2 introduces the best fast travel system in video games. It is lightning-fast, instantaneous, and offers pinpoint accuracy. Players can fast travel directly to their desired locations, even to collectibles, with no load screens. The system enhances the overall traversal experience in the game.
The Strong Characterization of Venom and Craven
Spider-Man 2 delivers on the highly anticipated appearances of Venom and Craven. Venom's design is visually stunning, capturing the iconic character's menacing presence with attention to detail on saliva, teeth, and tongue. Craven's portrayal is equally impressive, showcasing a brooding gravity and outstanding performance. Both villains connect deeply with the overall story and elevate the game with their captivating narratives.
The Podcast Beyond crew joins Simon Cardy with a deep dive into our Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Review. There's so much to unpack here from the good, the bad, and the ugly with Spider-Man 2's technical achievements, how it differs from previous Spider-Man entries, and things we wish Insomniac improved on. This has been one of the most anticipated PS5 games of the year, and it's finally here! Could it be the best superhero game of all time, or does it just fall short? Strap in, true believers!
