I just swung through Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC, and Insomniac Games nailed it. Backed by PlayStation Publishing LLC, this epic ride soars. In particular, the stunning ray-traced skies and smooth web wings drew praise. For example, one Steam user said the graphics feel “beautiful” and the gameplay “awesome.” However, some felt the full price demands more content. While I agree extra side stories would help, as someone who loves open worlds, I still felt thrilled chasing hidden positions in Queens.
While exploring, I dove into every nook of New York. Notably, Insomniac Games built two new boroughs: Brooklyn and Queens. Throughout my playthrough, I logged side quests, backpacks, skill tokens, and base takeovers. Eventually, I hit all 300+ collectibles. Although a user noted grinding isn’t needed to progress, the main story flows naturally without forced farming. Still, I enjoyed hunting down that last badge. Moreover, Nixxes Software’s PC port ran smoothly on my custom rig, so no glitch held me back.
When it came to combat, I broke down melee and gadget combos with care. Switching between Peter’s symbiote powers and Miles’ bio-electric strikes felt sharp and responsive. According to developer interviews, the team aimed to deepen combat with high-tech upgrades. Testing the DualSense adaptive triggers on PC added real tension, especially during charged web shots. On higher difficulties, enemies hit hard. Yet, skillful parries and venom blasts still carried the day, marking this as a great evolution from the 2018 Spider-Man.
Because I enjoy speedrunning, I sought route limits. In one session, I discovered a glitch in a Queens variant that let me clip through a subway wall, shaving seven seconds off my patrol. Even so, the open world still rewards tight routing. Although some Steam feedback mentions minor bugs, none delayed my record attempts. With unlocked framerates and NVIDIA DLSS 3, I easily hit 120+ fps, and that raw speed helped me time jumps and boosts for world records.
Next, let’s cover mechanics. Swinging gains Web Wings for gliding, guarding works with a button hold, and you can weave through tight city blocks. This movement reminds me of Sunset Overdrive’s fluid style, yet it feels more grounded. Since the map links dynamically between boroughs, exploration remains seamless.
I made sure to test every gadget—web grenades, electric webs, and venom mines—and each evolved with the game’s design. As a result, census hideouts now demand tactical choices, keeping encounters fresh compared to past titles. Developers from Insomniac confirmed they wanted more environmental interactivity, letting you toss cars to break walls or flip lampposts onto enemies.
From a competitive standpoint, those fights stand out. You can cancel animations into venom powers, mimicking high-level combos from fighting games. Consequently, the action genre moves forward on PC. In fact, I compared it to Devil May Cry 5, and Spider-Man 2 matches that combo depth while adding an open world.
I also discovered zip-line skips to bypass crowded streets. For instance, I tested four main story missions under ten minutes each. These moves feel intentional rather than glitchy, aligning perfectly with the game’s pacing.
Story-wise, Peter and Miles juggle life’s challenges while fighting Venom, Kraven, and The Lizard. As Insomniac’s writer noted, they wanted emotional weight. You genuinely feel Peter’s guilt and Miles’ loyalty. One Steam user even praised the tale as “good” and “emotional.”
The dialogue stays punchy, and I read every codex entry. Because Marvel lore blends seamlessly with grounded writing, scenes with MJ and Ganke deepen bonds. While pacing rarely drags, a few side arcs feel like filler, though they enhance the city’s living atmosphere.
Character growth becomes especially important in hardcore play. By earning XP in story missions, you unlock talents, a system reminiscent of RPGs like The Witcher 3. This design offers real choice in combat style.
Cutscenes, thankfully, remain skippable after the first playthrough. Using that skip, I reran key fights and tested strategies, keeping my momentum intact. For speedruns, such control is essential.
Visually, the art direction shines. Nixxes Software optimized ray-traced reflections, shadows, and ambient occlusion flawlessly. Furthermore, the engine handles ultra-wide resolutions with ease. PC gamers have praised both unlocked framerates and NVIDIA DLSS 3 support, and I even spotted Intel XeSS compatibility.
The color palette shifts from bright park scenes to dark lab corridors, ensuring each borough feels unique. I once froze mid-swing to admire a sunset over the East River—what fans on Steam call a “reality blur.”
Performance modes allow you to choose quality or speed. On my AMD GPU, FSR 3.1 upscaling locked in 60 fps at 4K, proving PlayStation Publishing’s Nixxes team optimized the PC port smartly.
Even at 3440×1440 and 144 Hz, I experienced no slowdowns, which made time trials ultra-smooth. As a result, PC players can fine-tune settings for faster loads and smoother runs.
Audio and music deserve equal praise. The soundtrack blends heroic brass with modern beats, with dynamic tracks ramping up during boss fights.
Sound cues play a tactical role—when you hear a growl, you know Venom is close. Voice acting remains stellar, with Yuri Lowenthal and Nadji Jeter excelling as Peter and Miles.
The DualSense haptics over USB deliver subtle vibrations for every punch, letting you feel each impact. This immersion boosts reaction speed during tense battles.
In speedrunning, I even timed swings using audio cues. A specific whoosh before landing became my signal to refine jump timing, shaving off split-second delays.
Characters feel authentic. Peter’s humor and Miles’ youthful energy ground the drama. Moreover, the diverse supporting cast reflects Insomniac’s commitment to inclusivity.
Watching Morales grow into a hero felt rewarding. I also revisited side stories about everyday New Yorkers, which tied neatly back to the main arcs, making you care about the city.
Kraven’s fierce dialogue challenges you mentally, while The Lizard’s tragic path adds moral complexity. This depth emerges from consistently strong writing.
For speedrunners, character unlock challenges add incentive. Beating bosses in under two minutes unlocks unique suits, fueling replay sessions.
When it comes to challenge settings, you can pick easy, normal, or hard. Even on “easy,” a Steam reviewer noted it remains engaging. The curve suits both casual and veteran fans.
Optional crime sectors gradually ramp difficulty, so no sudden spikes ruin progress. In Hardcore mode, the hidden HUD and tougher enemies push veterans to master every skill, yet it feels fair.
For my own runs, I created a custom difficulty—keeping damage active but removing HUD clutter—to speed target acquisition.
Replay value shines bright. You can chase alternate suits, NG+ modes, and hidden story beats. Personally, I’ve clocked 50 hours so far.
I still need two base takeovers and every suit token, but I’ll return to test all skill combos. These extras add genuine life to the city.
New Game Plus lets you reassign skill trees for fresh builds, extending combat mastery. I’m already planning 100% runs with trophy guides, optimizing routes to keep me coming back.
Final Thoughts: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 sets a new benchmark for open-world action. Insomniac Games delivers a heartfelt story, while PlayStation Publishing and Nixxes Software polish the PC port to near perfection. It blends top-tier visuals, tight controls, and deep combat.
Thorough players are rewarded with rich side missions and collectibles, while mechanics push boundaries with layered combos and adaptive controls. Hardcore gamers find real depth, and speedrunners enjoy skips, challenges, and high-FPS optimization.
Fans of Spider-Man 2 will enjoy similar action-packed open-world adventures like Batman: Arkham City with its fluid combat and gadget variety, Ghost of Tsushima’s stunning landscapes and swordplay, Horizon Zero Dawn’s rich lore and massive machines, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s dynamic exploration and settlement building, and Dying Light 2 Stay Human’s thrilling parkour, day-night combat, and player-driven choices.
