Summary
Last year’s Insomniac Games leak revealed a number of projects currently in development, including a game calledVenom: Lethal Protector, which will presumably take place in theMarvel’s Spider-Manuniverse. Assuming that the games share the same continuity, and understanding thatVenomis indeed being developed by Insomniac, there are a handful of trends and features that can be safely assumed to appear in-game. However, given the premise, a few departures fromMarvel’s Spider-Mantradition are unavoidable.
Insomniac’sVenomgame will likely play very differentlyfrom theMarvel’s Spider-Mantitles. Whereas theSpider-Mangames are focused on the titular character’s iconic, elegant swinging and graceful, non-lethal combat,Venomwill naturally need to take a different approach. Even if Venom is portrayed in a more heroic light in this game, the brutality and viciousness of the character will no doubt shine through in the traversal, combat, and mission structure. Time will tell just how differentVenomwill be from theSpider-Mangames, but at least one traditional, early-game mission type from theMarvel’s Spider-Mangames will likely be omitted.
Spider-Man’s Opening Mission Trend Will Have To Be Changed in the Venom Game
Insomniac’s Approach to Spider-Man Tutorial Missions
All three Insomniac-helmedSpider-Mangames kick off in remarkably similar fashion:Marvel’s Spider-Manopens with a showdown between Peter Parker and Kingpin, theMiles Moraleshalf-sequel starts with a Rhinofight, andMarvel’s Spider-Man 2is initiated by a bombastic setpiece featuring a fully powered Sandman. These opening missions serve as introductions to the narrative and world, but they also serve as tutorials, showing players the ropes of web-swinging and combat within a fast-paced narrative context.
At this point, this style of mission can be considered a tradition, and the nextMarvel’s Spider-Mangame will likely get the ball rolling in kind. These openings work well, as they are exciting, effective as tutorials, and give players an on-the-fly update on the state of New York City and Spider-Man’s life. That said, fans probably shouldn’t expect something similar for theVenomgame, asInsomniac will have to take a different approachto its design and overall structure.
Why the Traditional Marvel’s Spider-Man Opening Mission Won’t Work for Venom
Spider-Man 2ends with the apparent destruction of the Symbiote, but the leaked existence of theVenomgame means that the entity is likely still kicking around somewhere. With that said, Insomniac will have to address what really happened to the Symbiote, who is currently infected with it, and how the connection between Symbiote and host comes about. Thus, throwing players directly into a major battle probably won’t work, as the game needs to establish crucial context first.
The opening mission tradition perhaps could be kept ifVenomwas to begin with a playable Spider-Man, or if it featured a flash-forward, but these options could make for a jarring experience.
Since theVenomgame probably won’t start with a dramatic battle against a legacy villain, Insomniac is in a unique position to shake up its structural conventions. Instead of starting as a loud and intense fight, perhapsVenom’s opening could be more of a slow burn, starting with a grounded premise and slowly ramping up the tension as it becomes clear that the Venom transformation is imminent. Then, the game can have an inversion of theMarvel’s Spider-Manopenings, with the player serving as the destructive force.
TheVenom: Lethal Protectorgame will need to be built around establishing the host’s identity and background. Even if Venom isEddie Brock, as theLethal Protectorname suggests, Insomniac has to introduce this rendition of the character while showing how he becomes Venom. To best accomplish this, a move away from the style of opening mission present in the first threeMarvel’s Spider-Mangames is probably advisable.
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.
