Video game developer Insomniac Games blew the world away with its take onSpider-Man.Marvel’s Spider-Manon the PS4 wasa revolutionary step forwardfor the wall-crawler in the world of video games after several mediocre attempts starting in 2007 withSpider-Man 3. AlthoughSpider-Man: Web of ShadowsandSpider-Man: Shattered Dimensionsprovided solid Spidey experiences, they were both still overshadowed at the time by 2004’sSpider-Man 2game which fans believe is a superior game.
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OnceMarvel’s Spider-Manentered the arena, the internet was set ablaze by diehard fans ofSpider-Man 2and fresh loyalists toMarvel’s Spider-Manover which one stands as the best Spider-Man video game of all time. This list will address the positives and negatives of both games and why fans prefer one over the other.
10Spider-Man 2: Nostalgia Factor
Change is hard for some people and somefans hold on to the nostalgiathat this classic Spider-Man game provides them. It takes them back to a simpler time when Tobey Maguire was still the only Spider-Man and the movie franchise hadn’t been killed yet by the widely-pannedSpider-Man 3.
While nostalgia can cloud people’s memories of how good something actually was in the past, that is not the case with this game, asSpider-Man 2is without debate an exceptional addition to the Spider-Man video game collection, regardless of whether or not you believe it’s better thanMarvel’s Spider-Man.
9Spider-Man PS4: Graphics
Marvel’s Spider-Manis one of themost beautiful looking gamescurrently available to console gamers. Web-swinging through New York City has never felt or looked better in a Spider-Man game, with this setting a precedent going forward of what developers need to achieve when building a video game based on a popular superhero character.
It’s not just the city though, as each and everyone one of the costumes available in the game has incredible amounts of details added to them that make them stand out individually.
8Spider-Man 2: Citizens In Distress
AlthoughMarvel’s Spider-Manfeatured its own version of this gameplay aspect, it largely just feels like a recycling of the “Citizens in Distress” missions available to players inSpider-Man 2with better graphics and more detailed character animations.
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From preventing in-store robberies to saving injured citizens, to stopping an assault,Spider-Man 2gave players a solid level of crime-fighting freedom long beforeMarvel’s Spider-Mandid. While the missions available in the Ps4 game are more exciting due to advances in technology,Spider-Man 2deserves credit for introducing these ideas first.
7Spider-Man PS4: Gadgets
One major flaw ofSpider-Man 2is its lack of Spidey gadgets to use that call back on many different moments from Spider-Man’s run in the comics and films.Marvel’s Spider-Mandid an excellent job of incorporating the usage of gadgets into combat,much like theBatman: Arkhamfranchise.
Taking advantage of Spidey tech like web-bombs and trip mines feels satisfying, allowing players to use them in active combat or when in stealth and picking off enemies one by one.
6Spider-Man 2: Better Default Costume
Early pushback againstMarvel’s Spider-Maninvolved gamers not being impressed by Insomniac Game’s take on Spider-Man’s costume. For many fans, the suit was too far removed from the classic Spider-Man costume and the overabundance of white on the suit looked odd for some.
AlthoughMarvel’s Spider-Mandefault costume grew on some players, many still prefer the classic look that Sam Raimi did an excellent job replicating in his Spider-Man movies, which was later used as the template for the games.Marvel’s Spider-Manlarge selection of costumeswill be addressed later in this list.
5Spider-Man PS4: Developed Supporting Characters
A major advantageMarvel’s Spider-Manhas overSpider-Man 2is its usage ofsupporting characters from Spider-Man’s long history. Characters like Mary Jane are given so much more depth than fans have ever seen in a video game, and she even stands up against live-action versions of the character.
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Incorporating Miles Morales beforeSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Versewas released showed Insomniac Games' confidence in the character and their role for him. Other standouts include Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus who is just as compelling and developed as Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock in the filmSpider-Man 2.
4Spider-Man 2: More Satisfying Web-Swinging
First and foremost,Marvel’s Spider-Manprovides an amazing web-swinging experience for both gamers and fans of Spider-Man the character. However, the web-swinging in the PS4 games feels more based in “reality” and attempts to realistically portray the physics behind Spider-Man’s web-swinging.
On the other end of the spectrum,Spider-Man 2’s developers had little concern for web-swinging realism which makes that gameplay aspect feel much closer to the movies and comic books, allowing for better and faster control of Spidey while moving around the city.
3Spider-Man PS4: Huge Selection of Costumes
An unforgivable sin that Spider-Man 2commits is its glaring lack of alternate costumes for Spider-Man to use, which is especially shocking considering this was a feature used in Spider-Man games that came before the 2004 iteration.
Marvel’s Spider-Manblew fans away with its huge selection of costumes to unlock, each with their own unique ability. There’s a costume here for every Spidey fan to fall in love with, especially the cel-shaded one that makes Spider-Man look like he stepped out of a comic book and right onto your PS4.
2Spider-Man 2: Combo-Based Fighting System
TheBatman: Arkhamgames are given all the credit in how they reinventedcombat in action games, which is partly earned. That said,Spider-Man 2doesn’t get enough respect for laying the early groundwork for what theBatmangames would perfect years later, featuring a similar attack-dodge-counter fighting system.
With its combo fighting system that allowed for more complex and intricate fighting abilities,Spider-Man 2features more satisfying combat thanMarvel’s Spider-Manas it doesn’t revolve around a very simple attack button-dodge button pattern than can be spammed fairly easily with little skill involved.
1Spider-Man PS4: Fresh, New Story
What makesMarvel’s Spider-Manstandout aboveSpider-Man 2for many gamers is its engaging and compelling story that keeps you locked-in from start to finish.Spider-Man 2largely just replicates the storytelling from its companion film in truncated fashion, whereasMarvel’s Spider-Mancreates its own version of Spider-Man’s lore and breathes fresh life into it.
The world Insomniac Games has built with its Spider-Man franchise is exciting and fans can’t wait to see where things go next.
NEXT:10 Marvel Characters Who Need Their Own Video Game (Like Spider-Man Has)
