Marvel's Spider-Man (2018) Review

Combat: The Spider-Man Fantasy Realized

Insomniac's combat system sells the Spider-Man fantasy completely. Peter moves constantly — swinging between enemies, launching himself off walls, catching thrown objects mid-air, and webbing distant threats. The Focus system requires aggressive play: land hits to build it, spend it to heal or execute Finishers. Survival means staying in motion. The gadget system adds tactical options: the Suspension Matrix stuns groups; the Electric Web chains enemies; the Impact Web sends them flying into objects for environmental damage bonuses.

Enemy design forces versatility. Brutes require web-tangling or launcher attacks before regular combos work. Shielded enemies need shield theft or sliding attacks. Snipers must be webbed immediately. Managing multiple enemy types simultaneously — webbing the sniper while dodging a brute while chaining a finisher on a standard enemy — is where the combat system reveals its depth.

Web-Swinging: The Primary Joy

Spider-Man's traversal is momentum-based: low swings gain speed, high swings gain height, and precise timing creates flow. Web-zip accelerates instantly to full speed. Point-launch (hold down-triangle at high altitude) fires you toward a distant point at maximum velocity. The game rewards swinging skill with genuine speed — crossing Manhattan in under two minutes is achievable with mastered traversal, and every second of it is exhilarating.

Story and Characters

The original story is exceptional. Peter's relationship with Otto Octavius — mentor turning villain — gives the narrative genuine emotional weight. The moment Octavius becomes Doctor Octopus is one of gaming's finest villain origin scenes. MJ's investigative journalism subplot, Miles Morales's introduction, and the Sinister Six assembly are all handled with care unusual for a superhero game.

Graphics and Performance

The PS5 Remastered version is stunning: ray-traced reflections on puddles and windows, near-instant load times, and a smooth 60fps performance mode. The PC version supports high frame rates and DLSS. Manhattan is reproduced with remarkable accuracy — real buildings, real neighborhoods, real street geometry.

Verdict

Marvel's Spider-Man is the action game every Spider-Man fan deserves and many action game fans didn't know they needed. Buy the Remastered edition for the best experience.

Pros & Cons