Summary
Since the beginning of interconnected universes, there has also been one extremely prevalent problem: not every project can be anAvengers-level crossover, so other heroes will frequently have to fade into the background while others get their stories told. And while that means people can be treated to fun solo outings, it has never really made sense from a story perspective. Just like with the MCU,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2is currently be dealing with this exact issue.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2takes place in a universe filled with other Marvel heroes. There are references throughout New York City that allude to a larger world of heroes, including the actual Avengers tower. Yet, none of these heroes ever show up throughout the game. Even when the city is on the brink of destruction, the Avengers are too busy to make their presence known. It may make sense for Spider-Man to take center stage in a Spider-Man game, but since the others exist in this world, it seems weird that they would never lend a hand.
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Spider-Man Could Have Really Used The Avengers Help
Just like with the first game,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2exists in a massive Marvel universe filled with all the iconic heroes that fans have come to expect. The Avengers tower sits among the city skyline, The Fantastic Four seem to be moving into Fisk Tower,Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorumserves as the centerpiece of one chapter, and the Defenders have a presence throughout the streets. While the game never really lets players see any of these characters, it really helps add to this world immensely.
Because all of these heroes exist, it would only make sense for them to lend a hand inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2. These teams may have no need to help with street level crime, but they probably should have been interested in lending a hand to some of the bigger conflicts. Not only is there a man actively hunting every single powerful foe in New York, but there is alsoa literal Symbiote invasiongoing on. Both seem like something that the other heroes would want to help stop, so it seems odd that they are nowhere to be found.
This problem is not exclusive toMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, either, as the heroes should have wanted to help out in the first game as well. In that game,Doc Ock released the devastating Devil’s Breathon Times Square, which caused a massive outbreak that plunged the city into chaos. Even if the heroes did not want to help earlier, the widespread impact of the attack makes it feel like at least a couple of them should have gotten involved. Specifically, the likes of the Defenders or an Avenger or two should have wanted to lend a hand.
While the lack of the Avengers may seem strange, it is not really Insomniac Games' fault. Rather, it is a symptom of building out these massive superhero-filled worlds.The MCU has been dealing with thissince its inception, and comics have been dealing with it for even longer. It is hard to tell a story centered on one character because the writers need to come up with reasons for why the other superheroes are not involved. Not every project can involve every character, so sometimes players just have to suspend their disbelief a bit.
Even with the lack of Avengers,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2tells a fantastic story that players will not soon forget. Some players may not even notice their absence, but those that do will hopefully be too distracted by the excellent web-swinging mechanics to care. There is a chance Insomniac aims to fix that problem withthe release ofMarvel’s Wolverine, but it will likely be a bit before fans know more.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2is available now on PS5
