ITSY BITSY SEQUEL
As triple-A development cycles continue to grow longer and more expensive, a game like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales arrives at exactly the right moment. Fans of Insomniac’s first web-slinging adventure get a satisfying stopgap while waiting for a full sequel, and the developer secures a reliable revenue boost while planning its next major project.
Miles Morales is more than just DLC. It’s a scaled-down standalone spin-off — an approach I consider both sensible and underutilized in single-player games. Traditional DLC often struggles to sell well, largely because players have already moved on and forgotten the systems they once mastered. A self-contained spin-off, however, feels closer to a semi-sequel, and is far easier to jump into.
That approach suits Miles perfectly. As a character, he’s still learning the ropes, which makes this a back-to-basics experience for the player as well. Newcomers can dive in without prior knowledge, while returning players can treat the original Marvel’s Spider-Man as a prequel if they crave more.
A bite-sized companion piece, Spider-Man: Miles Morales took me roughly 17 hours to complete — including clearing the map of missions, challenges, and collectibles. Or so I thought. The end statistics revealed that I had missed entire categories of optional content the game barely bothered to highlight. Still, that didn’t feel like a loss.
I came for the story, and Miles Morales delivers one worth telling. After being bitten by an “Oz-enhanced” spider, Miles develops abilities similar to Peter Parker’s, but with distinct twists of his own. During an early encounter with Rhino, he discovers the ability to channel bioelectric energy — creatively dubbed “venom power,” a naming choice that remains confusing given Spider-Man’s most infamous adversary. Later, he also learns to turn invisible, adding a welcome new layer to stealth gameplay and allowing players to recover after being detected.
When Peter Parker leaves the city for a much-needed absence, Miles is left to protect New York on his own. Chaos follows almost immediately. The story introduces a trio of opposing forces driven by conflicting ideals, placing Miles in the uncomfortable role of both law enforcer and mediator.
At the center of the conflict is Simon Krieger, CEO of the clean-energy corporation Roxxon — an unhinged, Elon Musk–styled eco-messianic figure. Opposing him is The Tinkerer, a masked antagonist with deeply personal ties to Miles and access to a private army. A third faction soon complicates matters further. Despite the overlapping motivations and personal stakes, the narrative remains clear and engaging, carried by strong character work and well-paced storytelling.
Between story missions, Miles responds to crimes across the city, swinging rapidly between objectives. Movement is fast and exhilarating, though not always graceful. It can feel slightly janky at times — overshooting rooftops, correcting midair, then overshooting again — an issue that may have carried over from the original game. That same speed, however, greatly benefits combat.
Combat builds upon the already excellent system from the first game, itself inspired by Batman: Arkham Asylum. Miles’ fighting style is more acrobatic and chaotic, allowing you to juggle enemies with aerial combos, web attacks, gadgets, and venom abilities. His electric powers are especially effective against heavily armored foes, while gadgets like gravity wells and remote mines add tactical flexibility.
The upgrade system is compact but generous enough for the game’s length. New skills unlock frequent takedowns and expanded combo options, while suit mods and collectibles allow some light customization toward different playstyles. Environmental interactions — scaffolding, throwables, electrical hazards — make crowd control manageable even when outnumbered.
That said, the game’s brevity works slightly against it. With so many mechanics introduced in such a short span, combat sometimes feels less deliberate than intended. On the default difficulty, it rarely challenges the player, and veterans of the original game should strongly consider raising the difficulty.
A new in-game app created by Miles’ friend Ganke streamlines mission selection, eliminating frequent map checks. It’s a small but welcome quality-of-life improvement. Meanwhile, the city itself feels alive, even if most of its activity happens beneath you as you swing past at breakneck speed.
Insomniac’s attention to detail remains outstanding. J. Jonah Jameson’s returning podcasts, newcomer Danikast, expressive animations, and the sheer postcard beauty of the city all elevate the experience. Main missions are expertly directed, blending cinematic spectacle with interactive set pieces that keep tension high.
Most importantly, Miles Morales himself is an excellent protagonist. Nadji Jeter’s performance radiates warmth and sincerity. Despite enduring trauma that might harden others into brooding archetypes, Miles remains empathetic, humble, and emotionally resilient. He wants to help people not for recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do — and that makes him deeply relatable.
There isn’t much more to say. Fundamentally, Spider-Man: Miles Morales sticks closely to the established formula. Fans of the first game should absolutely play it; skeptics will likely remain unconvinced. As someone largely fatigued by superhero media — and still a strong supporter of the original game — I found this experience no worse, merely more familiar.
My slightly lower score reflects that familiarity rather than any major flaw. Once the thrill of web-swinging and acrobatic combat fades, it’s hard to recapture the same sense of wonder twice. The experience remains fun, but less novel.
That’s a personal issue, not the game’s fault. Even when going through familiar motions, Spider-Man remains a joy to inhabit. As long as the story matters, it doesn’t matter who wears the suit. Pete, Miles — it’s all Spider-Man. And when the story works, so does the hero.
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