Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is landing this October, and it's one of our most anticipated new PS5 games of the year for good reason. The open world action adventure will see dual protagonists Peter Parker and Miles Morales returning for brand new web-slinging escapades, this time together, as they swing their way across Manhattan's busy cityscape in pursuit of Kraven the Hunter. It's one of a fair few upcoming Marvel games on our radar, but judging by what developer Insomniac has shown us so far, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 already looks set to unseat our top rankings of the best Spider-Man games of all time.
With new districts of New York to explore, a fresh set of skills, abilities, and collector suits to stock up on, and a certain Symbiote suit straining the relationship between the two Spider-Men, we've got plenty to tell you about when it comes to this superheroic PS5 exclusive. Keep reading to find everything we know so far about Marvel's Spider-Man 2, from combat details, pre-order information, and recently-announced preload times.
Latest Marvel's Spider-Man 2 news
- The Marvel's Spider-Man 2 release date reveal is coming "soon"
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2 trailer introduces Kraven, shows off Symbiote suit
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2 ends an 18-year wait to return to Queens, and fans are buzzing
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 PS5 release date
The Marvel's Spider-Man 2 release date is set for October 20, 2023. Insomniac confirmed the news at Summer Game Fest, with creative director Bryan Intihar assuring viewers that the studio was confident that it won't experience any delays at this stage of development.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 preload times
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 preload will go live on October 13th 2023 at 9am EST / 6am PDT / 2pm BST (via PSU). The preload will be available to everyone that purchased a Marvel's Spider-Man 2 preorder, but that doesn't mean you will get to play the game any earlier than its intended release date of October 20. See it as a way to save time and prepare for the official launch; with an even bigger map than the one seen in Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, you can expect this to be one hefty download that takes a large chunk out of your SSD.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Kraven the Hunter
This was teased back in the 2021 announcement trailer, and later confirmed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase reveal, but Kraven the Hunter will be the major protagonist of this upcoming sequel. One of the best Spider-Man villains, Kraven will be taking his talents for hunting to New York – something which will impact both Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Spider-Man rogue's gallery of villains. The introduction of the hunter means we'll also be fighting a new faction throughout Spider-Man 2, in the creatively named 'Kraven's Hunters'.
Spider-Man 2 villains
Spider-Man 2 characters
Black suit Spider-Man
Spider-Man 2 combat
Given that Peter Parker has a new suit and that Miles Morales is becoming more confident as Spider-Man, Insomniac is introducing a new suite of combat mechanics and movesets to reflect the character changes. Miles has an expanded range of blue bioelectric powers, such a Thunder Burst – which unleashes a powerful electric ground-pound against foes. He also has a Chain Lighting ability, further improving his proficiencies in managing large crowds. These powers will intertwine with an expanded set of gadgets, like the group disabling Web Grabber, which will improve Miles' capabilities in stealth and action scenarios.
As for Peter, his new Black Symbiote Suit necessitates a whole load of new abilities. There's a 'no mercy' style of combat takedowns being introduced into play here, from exceptionally brutal new combos, aggressive paries, and web-casts which seek to harm rather than disable a threat. As for parries, that's a new system being introduced for Spider-Man 2 – while Peter will still be able to dodge and swing around combat arenas, sometimes he'll need to well-time a block to disable an enemy and get a few hits in.
Spider-Man 2 skill trees
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 won't be co-op
Spider-Man 2 character switching
While Spider-Man 2 won't have co-op support, it will be introducing a GTA 5 character switching system. Insomniac says you'll be able to "near-instant switch between both our playable Spider-Men" which should add some extra depth to combat and exploration. Additionally, senior community manager Aaron Jason Espinoza says that "you’ll seamlessly switch between both Spider-Men across a variety of story moments in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. We want players to bask in iconic team-ups elevated by our signature set piece moments, and experience the story from the perspective of each Spider-Man."
Spider-Man 2 setting
While Spider-Man 2 will take us back to the New York City we so enjoyed exploring in Marvel's Spider-Man and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the playable space is being massively expanded. While the first game was contained to Manhattan Island, Insomniac is expanding across the East River and into Queens. No word yet on whether other boroughs will be coming into play, but Insomniac says it has more to share on the world in the months to come.
Will Spider-Man 2 be on PS4?
No, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PS4 or PC won't be happening. The new game is a PS5 exclusive. Insomniac says that it's excited to be "pushing the capabilities of the console" in an adventure that will "continue the journey of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales." Insomniac has now shifted its focus to the PS5, following the release of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart as a platform exclusive, as it attempts to push the boundaries of third-person action-adventure games. A PC port is likely later, but don't expect it anytime soon.
Who is developing Marvel's Spider-Man 2?
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is being developed by the award-winning team at Insomniac responsible for 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man. Bryan Intihar will be returning as creative director and Ryan Smith is back as game director. The duo have decades of experience between them, having worked on everything from the Resistance series through to Ratchet & Clank and Sunset Overdrive. The creative team that helped get Spider-Man: Miles Morales out the door will now be turning their attention to Insomniac's other project, Marvel's Wolverine.
