Summary
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, like many other first-party Sony games, has been rumored to be getting a half-sequel that serves as a checkpoint between it and the next full-fledged release. Since it’s just a rumor, it’s not clear whichSpider-Man 2character will helm the half-sequel, but there’s a good chance that the black alien symbiote will make an appearance.
Spider-Man 2sets Miles up to be the star of the potential half-sequel, but last year’s Insomniac ransomware hack may suggest a slightly different direction: one of the projects exposed is something calledVenom: Lethal Protector, which seems to be a game starring the titular antihero. ThisLethal Protectortitle could in fact be the half-sequel, but even if it’s a feature-length game, a half-sequel with a playable Venom could bridge the gap between the fullVenomgame andSpider-Man 2. This would lead to some unique and hopefully markedly different gameplay mechanics.
What Playing as Venom Could Be Like in a Spider-Man Half-Sequel
Venom’s Traversal Abilities
Insomniac has developedexceptional traversal mechanics in itsSpider-Mangames, building movement around a system that is easy to pick up, but with enough of a skill ceiling to stay interesting over several hours. Satisfying locomotion is something that a lot of players expect from an Insomniac superhero game, and while Venom’s movement will be necessarily and fundamentally different from Spider-Man’s, there’s still room to implement some on-brand, polished traversal.
Players get a brief glimpse of how Venom moves during his playable chapter inSpider-Man 2. As might be expected, the symbiotic hulk can close dozens of feet in a single leap, land with a definitive, earth-shaking thud, and sprint at terrifying speeds.Venom’s primal and out-of-control symbioteessence is reflected in how he moves, so doubling down on this in the half-sequel or his solo game would make him fun to control while being a refreshing step away from the graceful and elegant web-swinging of the Spider-Men.
This likely won’t just be superficial, though; the mechanics of controlling Venom should be considerably different from controlling Peter or Miles. Perhaps he could be more difficult to maneuver, with certain penalties for excessive environmental destruction. A common criticism of movement inMarvel’s Spider-Mangames is that it’s not challenging enough, so perhaps Insomniac will address this by making Venom’s movement harder to master.
Classic titles likeHulk: Ultimate DestructionorPrototypecould be good jumping-off points for Venom’s traversal mechanics.
Venom’s Combat Needs to Be Weighty in a Spider-Man Half-Sequel
Insomniac didn’t hold back when crafting theshort snippet of Venom gameplay inSpider-Man 2, putting the villain’s brutality front and center. Venom is a swollen, destructive mass, capable of flattening anyone who doesn’t have superhuman abilities of their own. Venom’s finishers and special abilities are particularly gruesome, with players able to tear enemies apart or rip into them with Venom’s razor-sharp teeth.
The next time players step into Venom’s shoes, this level of brutality in combat will have to be retained. Expanding on combos and core mechanics is a given, but Insomniac should keep the focus on offensive abilities—it wouldn’t make too much sense for Venom to be flying around combat arenas, gracefully dodging like Spider-Man.
In keeping with this general design philosophy, Venom’s combat abilities will probably incentivize constant damage output, perhaps through more combo-activated abilities and very few long-range options.Venom’s physicality is key to his persona, so more moves involving teeth, claws, and body slams seem likely.
Insomniac usually doesn’t develop games with wrecking-ball protagonists like Venom, so it will be interesting to see how the studio tackles the iconic symbiote host, as his gameplay will surely be considerably different from Spider-Man’s. Whether he appears in a half-sequel toMarvel’s Spider-Man 2or a full game, Venom’s fearsome nature needs to permeate both combat and traversal mechanics.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
