Being one of the most popularsuperheroes in Marvel, Spider-Man has received a ton of solo games. Combining web-swinging and action-packed combat, these games provide fans with the perfect Spidey experience. However, a major part of this franchise that elevates the gameplay even more, is the unlockables.
Providing an immersive experience, these are the backbone ofSpider-Mangames. Throughout the game, players are awarded points that can be used to unlock more items. From new suits to powerful abilities, these unlockables liven up the gameplay. So, with unlockables becoming ever more integral to theSpider-Manfranchise, here are the games that do them best.
Building upon the critically acclaimed formula ofSpider-Man 2: The Movie, Treyarch launchedSpider-Man 3in 2007. Similar toSpider-Man 2, this game was in line with theSpider-Manmovie that came out the same year. And, keeping up with the plot of the movie, it featured the iconic symbiote black suit.
Unlocked after completing certain story missions, this suit was a pure utopia for Spider-Man fans. It featured a rage mechanic similar to Kratos’ spartan rage inGod of War. When activated, Spidey can deal extra damage for the entire duration. While this suit stole the spotlight in terms of unlockables,Spider-Man 3featured many upgrades that could be unlocked as the player progresses.
Similar toSpider-Man 3, this game also featured thelegendary symbiote black suitwith the same rage mechanic. However, there was so much more going on. Between the two suits available, there were numerous upgrades that led to new combos, abilities, and increased health. So, mastering all the mechanics became even more exciting.
On top of that, multiple alternate costumes can be unlocked throughout the game. While the gameplay differences between these other costumes were minor, they added a fresh new look. Overall, all these unlockables added more depth to an already enjoyable game, making it even better.
Courtesy of theMarvelmultiverse,Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensionsfeatured four distinctSpideys from different universes. And, with more Spider-Men came more unlockables. The game had 16 unlockable suits, 4 for each Spider-Man. However, these were purely cosmetic items, with no competitive advantage.
But, since it had four different Spider-Men, each of them had different abilities. For instance, Spider-Man Noir was a 1930s-inspired stealthy version that relied on the shadows. On the other hand, Spider-Man 2099 was a futuristic version with high-tech gadgets and an aesthetic sci-fi suit. With four different characters, the game featured a ton of different upgrades. As the player progresses through the game, new combos, abilities, and items can be unlocked for each version of Spider-Man.
Widely regarded by the fans as one of thebest superhero games,Spider-Man 2was way ahead of its time. From realistic web-swinging to a detailed open-world design, it had it all. While the web-swinging is one of the most praised features of the game, the unlockable content wasn’t ignored at all. With the introduction of hero points, Treyarch built the pillar over which the recentSpider-Mangames stand.
These hero points can be earned by completing the main missions or side quests. Once acquired, players can buy new combat moves, abilities, and items through them. On top of that, the game featured many costumes, each with its own unique look and some with even unique abilities. All in all, this game set the benchmark to which all futureSpider-Mangames were compared.
Serving as a sequel to the2018 Spider-Man game, Miles Morales added even more depth to the department of unlockable items. Building on the foundation of the first game, it featured activity tokens and tech parts. These can be acquired by completing main/side quests and progressing through the game. Once the player has enough of them, they canunlock 19 unique suitswith them.
Each suit had a unique design and came with different abilities. That said, the abilities of an unlocked suit could be used while wearing a different suit as well. While the suits were a major part of the unlockables, the game had so much more to offer. Miles had different combat moves that could be unlocked as the story progresses. On top of that, numerous gadgets were introduced that could be unlocked and then further upgraded. Overall, this game took the formula of the previous game and expanded on it even more.
This game was the one that modernized theSpider-Manvideo game franchise. Developed by Insomniac Games,Marvel’s Spider-Manhad a ton of expectations behind it. And boy, it didn’t disappoint one bit. Featuring the most realistic open-world environment for aSpider-Mangame, incredible combat, and a great story, this ticked all the boxes.
However, the real showstopper was the vast library of unlockable items. The game featured 28 different suits with unique abilities and designs. This also included the iconic Undies Suit, which gained a ton of attention. Adding to that, the game featured a skill tree that could be used to unlock different abilities and combat moves. And, to top it all off, it had a ton of different gadgets that provided an immersive gameplay experience. After the legendarySpider-Man 2, this game was the next benchmark in theSpider-Mangame franchise.
Taking the spot of the firstSpider-Mannext-gen game,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2revolutionizes the franchise. It features both Peter Parker and Miles Morales from the previous games and expands on the premise set by its predecessors. Providing a dual protagonist experience, players can switch between both characters during the gameplay and enjoy the unique combat moves.
That said, the general mechanics and game-setting are the same as the previous games. However, it’s much more detailed and features an extensive library of unlockable content. Combining the suits for each character, there are a total of68 unique suits that players can unlock. On top of that, the usual gadgets, skill trees, and upgrades receive even more variety. Considering all the game provides for its fans, it makes sense why itsold a whopping 2.5 million copiesin the first 24 hours.
