Summary
These days, there are so many video games demanding players' attention that it can be kind of hard to choose what to play. It is made even harder by the fact that many AAA studios are trying to craft massive adventures that can take multiple days to complete. This can often lead to burnout as seen withfranchises likeAssassin’s Creed, and those who take the plunge will often not have any time to check out other titles. However, unlike those studios, Insomniac Games seems to have approachedMarvel’s Spider-Man 2differently.
Just like its predecessor,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2does not demand multiple days be set aside to complete its entire story. Instead, Insomniac Games has crafted a brisk story that can be completed in as little as 12 hours. While that may seem like the game could be lacking in some areas, no second of that story feels wasted. It may be an incredibly small package compared to some AAA titles, but it packs an incredible punch and is thoroughly enjoyable throughout.
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Insomniac Games Excels on the Smaller Scale
As video games get more expensive, many players are looking to get their money’s worth out of a game. Whena title likeMarvel’s Spider-Man 2asks players to spend $70 for a game they can complete in a weekend, some may find that a bit disheartening. To some, that may not seem like a great return on investment. However, the experience can feel worth every penny, and more video games may want to follow suit.
Throughout its runtime,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2does not let up for a second. It delivers fantastic action set pieces, gut-punching moments, and a story filled to the brim with classic Spidey goodness. It seems to have practically everything that a fan of the character would want, which makes it even more impressive that it was delivered in a much smaller package compared to other games on the market. This means that players can cruise through it and still have time to play other games or even start their replay early.
While this small runtime may sound unique, this approach is actually par for the course with Insomniac Games. The studio seems to excel at crafting smaller-scale experiences that do not waste a second. Since 2018, every single one of its games has been around the same exact runtime. Players could cruise throughMarvel’s Spider-Manin around 20 hours, they could experience everythingRatchet and Clank: Rift Aparthad to offer in 15 hours, andMarvel’s Spider-Man 2can be finished in as little as 12. And the games do not feel lesser for it.
If anything, these smaller runtimes should actually be encouraged over the longer runtimes of other AAA titles. There is just not enough time in the day to dedicate countless hours to one game, and as the years have gone by, it seems like the AAA industry just wants to make them longer. Even though having more things to do in a game sounds exciting, it can also be incredibly demanding and lead to burnout. When players can completeall four recent Insomniac Games titlesin as little as 48 hours but have to spend around 60 hours just to finishAssassin’s Creed: Valhalla, then there seems to be a problem with game length.
Insomniac Gamesshould not be the exception, it should be the rule. The studio has shown that smaller-scale titles are not held back by their runtime, and actually, they can sometimes be a lot stronger experiences because of it. These games do not need endless padding, all they need is fun gameplay with an intriguing story to back it up. If the studios can manage that, then players will likely flock to it as seen withMarvel’s Spider-Man 2.
