One of the most popular announcements from E3 2017 is Insomniac’s Spider-Man game. While the trailer shown at Sony’s press conference is exciting, it’s lacking in game specifics and details about what playing will actually be like. A number of news tips have been rolling out since, so here’s all we know about Marvel’s Spider-Man as of right now.
If you were wondering if this is going to be a tie-in to the Spider-Man: Homecoming movie or anything else, it’s not. According to an interview in VentureBeat, Spider-Man is a unique story inside its own universe away from cartoons, comics and movies. Spider-Man will be 23, and has been web-slinging around New York City for eight years before the start of the game.
As for who is under the mask, it will be the best-known Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Parker will have just recently graduated from college and is wondering what to do with his life next, aside from saving his city from baddies.
You might be thinking “what about Miles Morales? I thought I saw him in the trailer.” You’re right, and Miles will be in Spider-Man. That said, he will not be the main character. According to Insomniac’s creative director Bryan Intihar, “this is still Peter’s story, but Miles will be part of that.”
It's explained in the game and has a purpose
— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) June 13, 2017
Because of this new universe, there are things that may not look the same as a typical Spider-Man story. As noted above on Twitter, Insomniac responded to a fan question wondering why the spider logo on Peter’s chest is white instead of black. According to the developer, the reason for the change in logo color is explained in the game, and serves a purpose.
We also have news about who the main villain will be for Spider-Man, thanks to GameZone. Wilson Fisk, better known as the Kingpin, has just recently been locked up, which means there’s room for new thugs to move in. Mister Negative, real name Martin Li, decides to take up the organized crime crown with his group the Inner Demons. Adding an extra layer to the drama, Peter and Martin know each other outside of fighting in colorful costumes. Li also runs a number of shelters in the city, one of which Aunt May works at.
In terms of gameplay, the game will be “mostly” open-world with some linear missions and other sections. Insomniac’s community director, James Stevenson, told PlayStationTrophies.org that Manhattan will be fully unlocked right from the start so you can explore to your heart’s content. Stevenson also mentioned the game’s Manhattan will be “four to six” times bigger than the world in the studio’s previous release Sunset Overdrive.
Web-slinging will also be based on momentum and physics, and isn’t going to be tied to quick-time events. There will still be QTEs in certain parts of the game, as seen in the trailer, but those are the exception and not the standard. The goal is to use these moments to add cinematic flair, like in the Uncharted games.
Peter will also truly live up to the “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” nickname by not being able to kill anybody. Kotaku has confirmed that players will not be able to end a bad guy’s life, even by accident.
“It’s certain scenarios we’ve put him in, certain abilities he’ll do during combat to prevent people from dying,” Intihar told Kotaku. “So whether it’s about deciding where stuff gets placed or how it unfolds, Spider-Man’s not gonna be killing people. That’s not the game we want to make.”
So what do you think? Are you more or less excited about Spider-Man with these new details? What else do you want to know about the latest incarnation of Peter Parker? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
