Spider-Man 2, while delivering on the superhero fantasy, grapples with an immersion-breaking issue commonly seen in superhero video games.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 aims to grant players the ultimate Spider-Man experience, and in many respects, it succeeds admirably. However, no game is without its imperfections, and fans have not been shy about pointing out certain issues, such as the apparent disregard for secret identities by the Spider-Men, which can break the immersion in a rather amusing way.
But there’s another aspect of the game that tends to detract from its plausibility and overall immersion, an issue that’s prevalent in many superhero titles, including the Batman: Arkham series. Most superhero games heavily emphasize combat encounters, often featuring large arena-style battles against numerous lesser foes. While this approach allows players to unleash their combat skills and revel in their power fantasies, it raises concerns, particularly when examining the details.
“Fodder” Style Enemies in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Present a Plausibility Challenge
Iconic Spider-Man villains like the Lizard or the Green Goblin have distinct reasons for facing off against Spider-Man. They are chemically enhanced and psychologically complex individuals who, in their own way, believe they can challenge the titular hero. However, the ordinary criminals that Spider-Man encounters in the game don’t have the same grounds for their confidence.
In the game, when Spider-Man confronts a group of regular criminals, they often exhibit a degree of bravado, charging at him with bare fists, basic melee weapons, or, occasionally, firearms. While this might be expected when facing Spider-Man’s non-superpowered adversaries, it seems out of place when these foes confront the hero himself. In this universe, Spider-Man has been active for a significant period, and these criminals must be aware of his track record in taking down superpowered threats. It strains credibility to think that so many of these non-superpowered NPCs would recklessly engage in battle with such a formidable adversary, even if armed.
This issue extends beyond the combat encounters to the broader world-building in Insomniac’s Spider-Man games. It’s peculiar that criminals who confront Spider-Man seem unfazed by his incredible abilities. This issue becomes even more apparent with the introduction of Venom and Symbiote powers, which elevate the heroes to even greater levels of inhumanity and prowess.
Furthermore, it’s not just the battles themselves that contribute to this immersion issue, but also the criminal activity in the game. Street-level crime appears to be surprisingly rampant in a world where Spider-Man exists. Criminals brazenly form large groups, carry out their illicit acts in crowded areas during broad daylight, and commit crimes that defy realism. While superpowered individuals or psychologically driven villains can engage in such acts, common criminals would likely be inclined to keep a wide berth from Spider-Man. It’s worth noting that the issue is exacerbated by the game’s introduction of new Venom and Symbiote powers, making the heroes even more formidable.
Other forms of Spider-Man media focus more on individual villains and the unique threats they pose, neatly sidestepping this issue. The gameplay of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 centers on combat, necessitating the need for battles against large groups of humanoid enemies. To the game’s credit, encounters with Kraven’s henchmen or Symbiote creatures are somewhat more believable, as the game provides explanations for their fearlessness. In the end, while it’s easy to overlook or dismiss the nonchalant attitude of street-level criminals towards Spider-Man, their inclusion doesn’t contribute to the overall plausibility of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
