Marvel's Spider-Man (2018): Beginner's Guide

Getting Started in Marvel's Spider-Man

The story begins with Spider-Man defeating Wilson Fisk, so you start as an experienced hero rather than learning the role. Combat, web-swinging and gadgets are introduced as the story opens up Manhattan.

Side activities pay out tokens, and tokens buy suits, suit mods, gadgets and upgrades. The six token types are Challenge (Taskmaster missions), Backpack (Peter's old backpacks), Research (Research Station missions), Crime (stopping ambient crimes), Base (clearing Fisk bases) and Landmark (photographing locations).

Core Mechanics to Master

Focus: land successive attacks to build it. Partial Focus heals, and a full meter allows an instant-takedown finisher.

Spider-sense and dodging: a white icon around Peter's head signals an incoming attack. A precise dodge just before impact lets him counter with webbing.

Gadgets are unlocked through progression and used from a radial menu. They include electric webbing, concussive blasts and impact webbing, which launches enemies and can pin them to surfaces.

Suits and Upgrades

Suits are based on past versions of Spider-Man as well as original designs. Each suit has a power (for example increased Focus gain, reduced gravity, enhanced stealth, invulnerability or an EMP), and unlocked suits and powers can be combined. Level-ups unlock skills in three areas: ground combat, aerial combat and traversal.

Essential Tips

1. Spend tokens deliberately. Tokens buy suits, mods, gadgets and upgrades, so pick the gadgets you actually use.
2. Take stealth sections slowly. Mary Jane's and Miles Morales's segments are about avoiding enemies.
3. Use side activities for tokens. Research Stations are timed science challenges; Fisk bases are combat challenges; Taskmaster missions reward time and skill.
4. Collect Peter's backpacks if you want his backstory; they use recorded dialogue.
5. Black Cat stakeouts are a series of hidden-cat tasks that unravel her story.

The Opening Fight: Wilson Fisk

The story begins with Spider-Man defeating Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin. The fight introduces the Focus meter, dodging and webbing, so it works as a practice run for the combat you will use through the game. After his defeat, a power vacuum opens up in the city's crime world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Remastered version a different game?
A: It is the same game with The City That Never Sleeps included, three additional suits, updated textures and performance improvements from Miles Morales, 3D audio and DualSense haptics. It changed Peter's face model. It was released on PS5 in November 2020 and on Windows on 12 August 2022.

Q: What is the DLC?
A: Three episodes: The Heist (23 October 2018), Turf Wars (20 November 2018) and Silver Lining (21 December 2018). They feature Black Cat, Hammerhead and Silver Sable.

Q: How long is the game?
A: HowLongToBeat averages shown on Deku Deals are 18 hours for the main story, 29 hours with extras and 45 hours for a completionist run (for the Game of the Year Edition).

Q: Is there a New Game Plus?
A: Yes. It was added in a post-release update and lets you start a new game with the suits, powers, gadgets and suit mods you unlocked earlier. The same update added the Ultimate difficulty.

Q: Which platforms is it on?
A: PS4 (2018), PS5 (Remastered, 2020) and Windows (Remastered, 2022).