Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Hit or Flop? Reviews & Gameplay

Swinging through New York as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales is still one of gaming’s most satisfying power fantasies — but does Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 live up to the hype that landed it over 5 million units sold within 11 days? After sorting through the Metacritic scores, gameplay debates, and what little we know about the future, here’s the verdict.

Developer: Insomniac Games · Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment · Platforms: PS5, PC · Release Year: 2023 · Metacritic Score: 91

The table below consolidates the key verified specifications for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, drawing from official and tier-1 sources.

Is Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 a hit or flop?

The numbers tell a straightforward story: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is one of Insomniac’s most successful releases. The game shifted over 2.5 million units within 24 hours of its PS5 launch on October 20, 2023, making it the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios title by that metric. Within 11 days, that figure climbed past 5 million units sold, according to Wikipedia (open encyclopedia).

Commercial performance

The UK market data reinforces this momentum. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 became the best-selling retail game during the week of its release, ranking as the fourth-biggest physical launch of 2023 in that region. For Sony, this represents a clear commercial win that validates the franchise’s continued investment.

The PC port, released January 30, 2025 and handled by Nixxes Software (specialist port studio), extended the game’s commercial runway without diluting the core experience.

Critical reception

On Metacritic, the PS5 version holds a score of 91 based on 121 reviews, with the platform designating it “Must Play” status. Metacritic (review aggregator) confirms this places it among the highest-rated PlayStation titles. OpenCritic’s recommendation rate sits at 97%, indicating near-unanimous critical approval.

Comparing across Insomniac’s Spider-Man catalog reveals a clear upward trajectory. The original Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) earned an 87 on Metacritic, while Spider-Man: Miles Morales landed at 85. Spider-Man 2’s 91 ties it with Meristation (gaming news outlet) as Insomniac’s joint highest-rated title alongside Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

Critics praised the narrative expansion and the tension built between Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Gene Park of The Washington Post (major newspaper) specifically highlighted how the story tests both heroes physically and mentally, while also deepening Peter’s friendship with Harry Osborn.

The pattern: Insomniac prioritized refinement over reinvention, which paid off commercially but left some critics wanting deeper structural changes.

Is Marvel Spider-Man 2 worth playing?

For players with access to a PS5 or PC, the question is less about whether the game is competent and more about whether it advances the franchise meaningfully. The verdict splits along familiar lines: those who wanted more of what made the first two games work will find plenty to love, while those seeking structural innovation may feel the seams showing.

Upsides

• Dual protagonist switching between Peter and Miles adds narrative variety
• Web Wings mechanic expands traversal options across New York
• Venom serves as a compelling central villain with symbiote powers
• Open-world scale surpasses previous entries with fewer loading interruptions
• Combat and stealth mechanics received refinements noted across multiple reviews
• Darker tonal shift with Kraven and Venom as primary antagonists praised by critics

Downsides

• Some critics noted the game borrows too heavily from its predecessors
• Side mission quality remains inconsistent compared to main story beats
• PC version lacks a distinct Metacritic score, making cross-platform comparison harder
• Post-launch content roadmap remains unconfirmed

The ComicBook.com reviewer captured the consensus when they wrote that Spider-Man 2 “captures the essence of the character on a micro and macro level” — high praise tempered by acknowledging the familiar underneath.

“Marvel Spider-Man 2 is an incredibly confident sequel and one of 2023’s best games.”

— Video Games Chronicle reviewer (gaming news outlet)

“Ultimately, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 captures the essence of the character on a micro and macro level.”

— ComicBook.com reviewer (gaming news outlet)

The implication: players seeking the definitive Spider-Man experience will find it here, but those expecting a breakthrough may need to wait for Insomniac’s next direction.

Is Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 confirmed?

As of early 2025, Insomniac Games has not officially announced Marvel’s Spider-Man 3. The studio’s focus following Spider-Man 2’s PC release remains on other projects, and no public roadmap confirms a sequel is in active development.

Leak details

Various industry insiders and leakers have circulated rumors about Spider-Man 3’s potential scope, including speculation about narrative directions and possible villain choices. However, none of these claims have been verified through official channels, and the research confidence for specific features remains low.

Official statements

Insomniac and Sony Interactive Entertainment have not issued statements confirming or denying sequel development. This silence is typical during early pre-production phases, meaning fans should expect an official reveal only when marketing campaigns take shape.

The implication: Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 likely exists on Insomniac’s roadmap given the franchise’s commercial performance, but the studio appears unwilling to commit to public timelines until concrete milestones are reached.

What is the hardest trophy to get in Spider-Man 2?

Trophy hunters have identified “Just Let It Go” as one of the most challenging achievements in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This trophy requires players to complete a specific in-game task that demands precision timing and situational awareness during the game’s more demanding sequences.

Trophy guide

The difficulty stems from the trophy’s reliance on multiple game systems simultaneously. Players must manage combat, traversal, and environmental puzzle-solving under constraints that punish mistakes harshly. Community guides suggest completing related story missions first to unlock the necessary prerequisites.

Location tips

“Just Let It Go” is tied to the game’s symbiote-related missions, specifically sequences involving Peter’s struggle against Venom’s influence. Players should save frequently and review footage from other completions to understand the precise timing windows required.

The pattern: Insomniac has historically included at least one high-difficulty trophy in each Spider-Man title to satisfy the achievement-hunting community. Spider-Man 2 follows this tradition without introducing particularly novel challenges.

Where is Ben Parker’s grave?

Ben Parker’s grave appears in the original Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) as an optional discovery location within the game’s open-world map. While the sequel does not prominently feature this location, players familiar with the first installment will recognize its significance to Peter Parker’s origin story.

In-game location

The grave is situated in a quiet corner of the map, designed as an environmental storytelling element rather than a mission objective. Approaching it triggers no dialogue but serves as a reflective moment for players aware of its narrative weight.

PS4 context

The inclusion of Ben Parker’s grave in the first game established Insomniac’s approach to embedding lore within the environment rather than relying solely on cutscenes. This design philosophy carries forward even when specific locations are not revisited in sequels.

For players entering the franchise through Spider-Man 2, the absence of this location in promotional materials may create confusion. However, understanding the first game’s connection to this site enriches appreciation for how Spider-Man 2 handles Peter Parker’s personal history.

Related reading: Bloodstained Ritual of the Night: Comparisons, Reviews & Guide

Insomniac built upon the acclaimed Spider-Man: Miles Morales to craft Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, expanding web-slinging action across a vibrant New York.

Frequently asked questions

The pattern across Insomniac’s recent output suggests the studio prioritizes polish over scope. For players deciding between jumping in now or waiting, the current generation hardware advantage is real but narrowing — the PC version offers comparable performance without PS5 ownership requirements.

For PlayStation owners, the choice to skip Spider-Man 2 means missing the franchise’s highest-rated entry at a point when the library has expanded enough to offer a complete experience. For PC players, the January 2025 port removes the console barrier that previously limited access.