Summary
News ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s impending arrival on PC cut deep, as it was accompanied by the revelation that no more story content is planned for the game, thereby “canceling” any potential DLC. After its predecessor received DLC story content shortly after its launch,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2was expected to get the same treatment, especially with the subplots it left open-ended.
While there are multiple pathsMarvel’s Spider-Man 2could have taken with DLC, two major reveals during the game’s story now put Insomniac between a rock and a hard place. Specifically, as bothCarnage and Chameleon plotswere teased but left unresolved, now the developer will need to find some way to tie them up, either in the next mainline game or in a different, currently unannounced game.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Unfinished Subplots Will Need to Land Somewhere
A Carnage Story Was Set Up in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 But Never Resolved
One of the biggest disappointments aboutMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s DLC being canceled is that it potentially means a lack of closure for the presumedCarnage story that was set up with “The Flame"side missions. “The Flame” sees Peter Parker teaming up with an old ally to stop a dangerous cult led by someone known as “The Flame.” By the end of the storyline, Peter encounters the leader of the cult, whom Yuri says is sometimes known as Cletus Kasady, the psychopathic serial killer from the comics who eventually becomes a host for Carnage. This is further confirmed by a statement The Flame makes before exiting the scene, “And when the Crimson Hour rolls over this earth, it shall bring truth, judgment, and carnage.”
Considering the impact of “The Flame” onMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s narrativeand how it was unfortunately left unresolved, it was always assumed that Carnage’s story would continue in aMarvel’s Spider-Man 2DLC pack. However, since the game’s DLC has been canceled, Insomniac will need to either tie up this loose end in the nextMarvel’s Spider-Mangame or potentially in the leaked Venom game, assuming the leak was real, and the Venom game is indeed happening.
Including Carnage’s story in the Venom-led game might not make sense considering Peter’s involvement in “The Flame” subplot inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Chameleon Was Teased in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 But Never Appeared Again
Another majorsetup left unresolved inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2finally sees Chameleon revealed. After making significant progress through the game’s main story, players will enter a mysterious apartment that they soon discover belongs to Chameleon. As Peter explores the apartment, he finds a basement filled with weapons and masks, as well as a missing persons database that dates back twenty years. Upon accessing Chameleon’s computer, poison gas is eventually released and Peter is forced to leave. As he swings away, Chameleon watches from the rooftop, martini in hand, telling his deceased brother, “I will do what you could not.”
Just as it was assumed thatMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Carnage story would be resolved in DLC, Chameleon might have been a good candidate for DLC as well. It could be that Chameleon will appear as one of themain villains inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3, but the issue there is that multiple villains are already lined up for the next mainline game, potentially including Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, and Doctor Octopus.
Adding even more villains toMarvel’s Spider-Man 3could potentially bloat it with too many subplots, thereby recreating a Sam Raimi’sSpider-Man 3situation.
The best way forward for theMarvel’s Spider-Manseries might be another spin-off game that shows Silk (who was teased at theend ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 2) joining Peter and Miles in their fight to protect New York City. This could allow a proper, uncrowded introduction of Chameleon and Carnage and establish Silk as a member of the team in time for the third mainline installment. Wherever the series goes, however, Insomniac can’t afford to leave these stories unresolved.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
