Summary
Spider-Manis one of the most beloved fictional heroes of all time. There’s a reason why this character has received the most exposure in mainstream media out of any other superhero, regardless of whether they’re from Marvel or DC. During the time when people considered superhero games to be good but not great, the mere mention ofSpider-Manwas enough to move the needle and sell millions of copies.
With Insomniac Studios taking over this franchise, this perception has shifted for the better. However,Spider-Man’s history is rife with games that are worth replaying, and this doesn’t just stretch to the first-party Sony developer everyone is familiar with. Fans who can’t get enough of the webhead and his games will love playingsome of his best titles multipletimes, which encourage players to clock in another playthrough or repeat the levels featured in these action-packed adventures.
The concept ofSpider-Man: Shattered Dimensionswas engrossing for many fans, especially with the idea of the Spider-Verse gaining steam in the mainstream. The game starts with a face-off against Mysterio that causes the Tablet of Order and Chaos to shatter and spread to other realities. This leads to the four different versions of Spider-Man having to hunt down these tablet fragments, each of which are captured by other well-known supervillains who absorb these fragments to augment their powers.
Players obtain points that they can invest by defeating enemies or completing Web of Destiny challenges to improve their abilities, and the best part is that players seeking out replay value in this game can check out level replays that let them use their upgraded powers in any stage or boss fight. It’s a simple and great way to encourage players to use the powers ofAmazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Manto take out their foes, especially with many people considering this game to be a bit too short for their liking.
Insomniac Studios has done an excellent job of letting players enjoy some of the finestSpider-Mangames around, andMiles Moralesis no exception here. The idea of controlling a new, fresh character who can use unique powers to make the gameplay of this series more exciting is a huge reason why people loved playing through this side story. Sitting somewhere between and expansion and a spin-off forMarvel’s Spider-Man,Miles Moralesplaced Miles center-stage in a storyline where Peter is helping MJ out on one of her humanitarian endeavors, leaving Miles as the only Spider-Man in New York.
Roxxon, the Underground,and the Tinkererare the major threats that Miles must deal with, making it all the more harrowing when the villain of this adventure is revealed to be his friend. This adventure isn’t all that long, and players will love embarking on a New Game+ run that lets them acquire all the skills, check out a brand-new suit, and play the game on its highest difficulty.
The debut ofMarvel’s Spider-Manwas an earth-shattering event for everyone’s favorite webhead, on the same level asBatman: Arkham Asylum. It was easily the greatestSpider-Mangame ever made at the time, with Peter’s struggles against Mister Negative, the Sinister Six,and Doctor Octopusmaking for a riveting tale that had fans on the edge of their seats.
To make things even better, the game’s status as a first-party Sony exclusive at the time ensured that players were incentivized to clock in another playthrough with New Game+. This mode resets the open-world activities to give players another reason to replay the experience, with the addition of Ultimate difficulty ensuring that players who already have all their powers unlocked can enjoy a greater challenge as they zip through the familiar streets and boroughs of New York once again.
Before Insomniac Studios got their hands on this IP, many people consideredWeb of Shadowsto be one of the greatestSpider-Mangames players could get their hands on. The swinging is satisfying, the open world is perfect for the webhead’s shenanigans, andthe incorporation of the Black Suitwas the very best iteration gamers had ever seen at the time. To make things even better, the replayability inWeb of Shadowswas off the charts.
Based on the decisions players made in their adventures, the allies Spider-Man can call into battle and the events of the story change. The moral system inWeb of Shadowsmay not be all that fleshed out, but it’s still quite engaging and lets players either channel the aggression of the Black Suit or help Peter stick to his morals. Players can check out multiple playthroughs and uncover four unique endings based on the decisions they make during the campaign.
WhenMarvel’s Spider-Man 2came out, the lack of a New Game+ mode worried many fans. People wondered if Insomniac Studios were forgoing this option, even if the focus on improving the technical performance and polish of this much-awaited sequel was fine for many fans. Thankfully, it was clear that Insomniac Studios wanted this sequel to make the most of the PS5 hardware and stabilize the experience before eventually adding New Game+ in a post-launch update.
This is easily the best iteration of New Game+ in anySpider-Mangame to date. Along with Ultimate Difficulty, players can check out Golden Gadget upgrades. On top of this, Suit Tech Fusion lets them use both branching powers on an upgrade tree at once, further intensifying the action. Given howMarvel’s Spider-Man 2feels like it could’ve been a longer experiencein the eyes of many, the addition of such a fleshed-out New Game+ mode is something that appeased its fans.
