Review: Spider-Man

When Marvel’s Spider-Man was released in 2018, it was nothing short of a revelation for superhero games. Developed by Insomniac Games, it took the beloved character of Peter Parker and placed him in an open-world adventure that had players feeling like they were actually swinging through the streets of New York City. As someone who’s been a Spider-Man fan for years, I couldn’t wait to dive in.

I played through the entire game on my PlayStation 4 Pro first, and later I returned to it on my PC, completing 100% of the game’s content, including all the DLCs. The experience was nothing short of incredible, and I’m here to share my thoughts on what makes Spider-Man (2018) one of the best superhero games ever made.

A Story That Feels Like a True Spider-Man Adventure

At the heart of Marvel’s Spider-Man is a story that’s rich in both heart and action. The game presents Peter Parker not just as Spider-Man, but as a more mature, seasoned hero dealing with personal challenges, responsibility, and the constant battle between his superhero and personal lives. What makes this portrayal of Peter so compelling is how human he feels. You see Peter as a college graduate, working hard to pay rent, trying to maintain relationships, and, of course, saving the city in his spare time.

The story itself is a gripping narrative that draws from Spider-Man’s comic book history while introducing fresh and exciting plotlines. From the return of classic villains like the Kingpin and Mister Negative to the emotional stakes surrounding Peter’s relationships with Aunt May and Mary Jane, every aspect of the plot is engaging and feels true to the character. The game also does an excellent job of exploring Peter’s struggles with his dual identity, providing a deep and meaningful experience that resonates with both new players and long-time fans of Spider-Man.

What I loved most was how the story progresses, feeling like a true Spider-Man adventure with all the twists, turns, and emotional highs and lows you would expect from a great comic book arc. The stakes are high, and Peter’s personal growth is handled in a way that feels earned. It’s not just about saving New York; it’s about Peter learning to grow up and accept the weight of his responsibilities.

The Amazing Open World of New York City

One of the standout features of Marvel’s Spider-Man is its incredible recreation of New York City. The world is vast, detailed, and completely alive. From the towering skyscrapers to the gritty alleyways, the city feels like a true reflection of the Spider-Man universe. Swinging through the city at breakneck speeds, you’re treated to breathtaking views of the skyline, bustling streets, and all the iconic landmarks, including Times Square, Central Park, and the Avengers Tower.

What’s even more impressive is how alive the city feels. You’ll see pedestrians walking down the street, cars moving through traffic, and vendors setting up shop in parks. The attention to detail is remarkable, and it makes New York feel like a real, living, breathing city. Plus, the sheer joy of web-swinging through it all is a thrill that never gets old. The fluidity of the movement, combined with the breathtaking visuals, makes swinging through New York one of the most enjoyable parts of the game.

Whether you’re chasing down criminals, saving civilians, or just swinging around for the sheer fun of it, New York City becomes more than just a backdrop – it’s a character in itself.

Stunning Graphics That Bring Spider-Man’s World to Life

The graphics in Marvel’s Spider-Man are nothing short of stunning. On the PlayStation 4 Pro, the game looked fantastic, but it’s even more impressive on the PC. The level of detail in the character models, the city’s architecture, and the lighting effects is top-notch. Peter Parker’s suit, in particular, looks amazing, with every stitch and detail rendered to perfection. Whether it’s the way light bounces off his suit during a fight or the reflections in puddles on the ground, the visuals elevate the game to another level.

The animations in the game are incredibly smooth, from Peter’s fluid combat moves to his acrobatic web-swinging, and it’s all wonderfully enhanced by the power of the PC version. Every moment feels dynamic, and the action is fast-paced, responsive, and breathtaking to watch. The game’s use of color, lighting, and weather effects also makes a huge impact. Watching the city transform as day turns to night, or experiencing the snow-covered streets during winter, makes the world feel all the more immersive.

A Fantastic Combat System with a Variety of Moves

The combat in Marvel’s Spider-Man is fast, fluid, and incredibly satisfying. As Spider-Man, Peter has a wide array of moves at his disposal, and the game’s combat system encourages you to use them all. The webslinging is seamlessly integrated into the fights, allowing for dynamic combat that feels like a natural extension of Peter’s powers. Whether you’re using webbing to trap enemies, performing acrobatic flips, or delivering powerful punch combos, the combat always feels fresh and exciting.

What makes the combat system truly shine is how it mixes various elements – hand-to-hand combat, web-based attacks, and gadgetry. The gadgets are especially fun to use, adding a level of strategy to the combat. Whether you’re using trip mines to trap enemies or deploying a web bomb to incapacitate a group, there are numerous ways to approach each encounter, keeping the gameplay varied and engaging.

The game also introduces a skill tree that allows you to further expand Spider-Man’s abilities, making the combat feel even more rewarding as you unlock new moves and upgrade existing ones. The variety of combat options ensures that no two fights ever feel the same, and the flow between web-slinging and combat feels smooth and exciting.

The DLCs – Adding Extra Stories and Depth

The Spider-Man game offers three major DLC expansions that add more content to the already packed game. These DLCs—The Heist, Turf Wars, and Silver Lining—explore additional stories outside of the main narrative, and they’re absolutely worth playing.

What’s great about these expansions is that they don’t just add filler content; they actually expand upon the universe and characters in meaningful ways. The Heist introduces Felicia Hardy (Black Cat) and gives players a closer look at her character. Turf Wars brings in the ruthless Hammerhead and expands the story of New York’s criminal underworld. Silver Lining adds Silver Sable and delves deeper into her motivations and character.

All three of these DLCs are well-written, with their own engaging stories and memorable characters. They also feature some great new gameplay mechanics and side missions, giving you plenty to do once you’ve finished the main story. The DLCs add hours of additional content, and they’re all integrated into the world seamlessly, making them feel like a natural extension of the game.

100% Completion: A Rewarding Journey

When I completed Marvel’s Spider-Man on my PlayStation 4 Pro, I didn’t just finish the main story—I went all the way to 100%. This meant completing all the side missions, collecting all the backpacks, taking on every challenge, and unlocking all the suits. I’ve got to say, 100% completion in this game is incredibly rewarding.

Not only do you unlock new suits (which are awesome), but you also get to experience everything the game has to offer. The side missions and challenges add a lot of depth and variety to the gameplay. The sense of accomplishment when you’ve completed everything is immense, and it adds a lot of replayability to the game. After returning to the PC version, I did the same thing, and the experience felt just as satisfying.