Lets take a look into the game everyone is talking about!
Hey there,
Welcome back to the Lab!
I hope you’re all keeping safe and well.
Today’s post is all about the highly anticipated playstation exclusive Spider-Man: Miles Morales. So let’s jump straight into it!
Back in 2018, game developers Insomniac Games, known for titles such as the Ratchet and Clank Series, debuted the first game in their new series set within their own corner of the Marvel Universe. 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man. The story saw players take control of Peter Parker (Yuri Lowenthal), 8 years into his reign as the web-slinger. It was in this game we met the likes of MJ (Laura Bailey); Aunt May (Nancy Linari) and Miles Morales (Nadji Jeter), as Spidey had to battle to save New York from foes old and new.
The game was a huge success for both Insomniac Games and Playstation. Players around the world, including myself, loved it. It left the player hanging at the end with some loose threads for future instalments, such as Miles being bitten and finding out he has powers. Cut to 2020 and players are highly anticipating a sequel of some sorts to this much loved first game, when the announcement of Miles Morales getting his own game was released. People went mad with excitement, and rightly so. Apart from the much-loved film ‘Into The Spider-Verse’ we haven't had the chance to see or play as Miles much on Film or Gaming. So players welcomed this announcement with open arms and excitement, but does it live up to the hype of the first game? Let's break it down.
Whilst this is a spoiler free review for the game, if you want to go into the game knowing absolutely nothing at all, then stop reading from this point.
Still here?
Good.
The story kicks off 1 year after the events of the first game with Miles in training as a new Spider-Man with his mentor Peter Parker. Peter lets Miles take the reins whilst he goes away with Mary Jane. What Miles thinks is a gang war between Roxxon Energy Corporation and a gang called ‘The Underground’ led by The Tinkerer turns into a much larger battle with major stakes. At the time of writing, I’m around 20/25% into the main story, and it really doesn't disappoint. The game delivers emotional stakes as Miles deals with this new-found responsibility of being a superhero and also a boy living in Harlem. He makes mistakes because he’s so new to this role and you see the effect that has on him and those around him such as his best friend Ganke (Griffin Puatu) and his mother Rio (Jacqueline Pinol).
2018’s Outing of Spider-Man gave us Yuri Lowenthal’s take on Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Which to this day is my favourite portrayal of Peter Parker, which in itself is a big statement to make. With a lead as strong as his from the first game, this one had a lot to live up to and to put it quite simply, Nadji Jeter knocks the performance out of the park in his portrayal as Miles. He truly is great in this role, not only because he performs emotively and strongly, but you can tell he is having fun with the role which is so important because it makes it fun to play!
The game takes the combat system of its predecessor and modifies it slightly to fit with Miles Skill set, with additions such as his ‘Venom Punch’. For players of the first game you’ll find this easy to navigate as it's the same control system as the first, however thats not to say that first time players won't know how to play, as the game guides you through the first mission so it's easy to learn.
An important element of any Spidey Game is the web-swinging aspect. Whereas Peter swings with confidence and with urgency to get to his next objective, Miles swings with an element of fun and also recklessness due to him still learning. He gives you the chance to perform tricks and the flamboyance of his swinging reminds you of anyone his age that has his abilities. It’s just truly fun to play.
Alongside all of this, One of the strongest elements of this game is that it’s accessible to any player of the playstation. Whilst it picks up from where the first game left off, it also starts in a way that new players can access the game and still understand what is going on. There truly is something in this game for everyone.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a welcome addition into this ever growing franchise from Insomniac Games, with a stellar cast and a fantastic lead character of Miles, A story that will keep players hooked throughout and a combat and swinging system that is unlike any other, this game is truly one to play on either PS4 or PS5 and one thing is for certain, players will be asking for the next instalment as soon as this one has been played, and i for one will be with them as i have fallen in love with this world and its characters.
Do you agree with the review? What did you think of the game? Let us know in the comments below!
Until Next Time
Stay Safe, Look out for each other,
Harry x