Title: Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
RELEASE DATE: 2020.
Console (played on): PlayStation 5.
Mode(s): Single-Player.
GENRE(S): ACTION, Adventure, Crime.
Developer: Insomniac Games.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Director(s): Brian Horton, Bryan Intihar, Marcus Smith & Ryan Smith.
Writer(s): Adam Gascoine.
Music: Mick Gordon.
Voice Actor(s): Nadji Jeter, Yuri Lowenthal, Jacqueline Pinol, Fred Tatasciore, Darin De Paul, Troy Baker, and many more!
My Overall Rating:
Originally announced as part of the PlayStation 5 reveal event in June 2020, the latest addition within the Marvel’s Spider-Man video game universe was released on both PlayStation 4 and 5 in November 12th, 2020. Although serving as both a stand-alone sequel and spin-off to the first game, this latest chapter is relatively smaller and much more compact in terms of story-telling and content to its predecessor but capitalizes on its strengths to deliver a nevertheless compelling and exciting saga that serves as another introduction to the character of Miles Morales and his journey of self-discovery and superheroism. Picking up after the events in Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018), it is now time for the young webslinger to establish his presence by protecting the people of his hometown from an impending calamity.
What is Spider-Man: Miles Morales about? Set a year after the ending of the previous game, Peter Parker (Spider-Man) reveals to Miles Morales that he is going abroad to join his girlfriend (Mary Jane Watson) to report on the ongoing civil war in Symkaria and that this little vacation would leave the young kid alone to guard New York of any threat or crime. While his training under the guidance of Peter Parker allowed him to learn the ropes (or webs) to crime-fighting, his struggle to live up to his mentor haunts him to this day but, if there’s one thing he’s learned so far, it’s that there’s no better moment than the present to stand up for the things you believe in. And this kid believes that his home deserves a Spider-Man. Unfortunately for him, the emergence of a gang war between the Roxxon Energy Corporation and the “Underground” high-tech criminal army is not without its fair share of problems.
You know what they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! With the first game, the innovative and smooth mechanics offered unparalleled and dynamic gameplay for players to explore. There is no surprise that this latest game draws upon the success of its predecessor to sharpen the gameplay while keeping the options relatively limited to assure a truly remarkable visual entertainment, entirely in the control of the player, alongside the exciting and satisfying gameplay. Unique to Miles Morales, a couple of formidable abilities are also flawlessly incorporated into his style of combat, from his “Venom” bio-electricity to his unique suit features. Considering the short length of the campaign, the much more finite tools of the trade make sense with the hero’s own personal progression throughout the story.
Miles Morales’ coming-of-age journey is brilliantly explored in this story, giving him enough room to understand that he doesn’t need to be like Peter Parker, but to be himself, and fight for what he believes in. Throughout the mayhem born from the gang war, he also learns about his family, the people who have his back, and the people he fights for. As he grows into his role as Spider-Man, he also showcases his devotion and passion for his culture, the one that powers the people in Harlem. This personal journey also has him reflecting on the definition of being a hero, especially what it takes to be one, with his late father serving as the ultimate role model for his growth.
It wouldn’t be right to not mention the significant and gorgeous graphical boost that the game profits from when playing on the next-generation console, from the colours to the fluidity of transition, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales utilizes the perks of the PlayStation 5 console (e.g. ray-tracing, SSD storage, etc.) to its advantage and offers a visually-pleasing story and gaming experience as a result. The hip-hop score also plays well with the character’s passion for music and translates wonderfully during epic cutscene sequences. Remix it all together with an addictive formula, from the side-missions to the collectibles scattered through New York, that doesn’t tip over and end up repetitive, this spin-off/sequel teases us of the potential of the inevitable sequel to Marvel’s Spider-Man that will without a doubt make full use of the PlayStation 5’s potential to give us the greatest Spider-Man game yet.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020) is an action-packed open-world adventure exploring the young wall crawler’s first solo outing as he forges his own legacy.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020) is a spin-off/sequel to Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018).
Have you played this game?
Will you? What do you think about it?
Share your thoughts with me!
Looks like you enjoyed this a lot. Amazing review!
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I definitely did! 😀 Thanks for reading, Yesha!
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Do videogames make canon? Or are they more of “what ifs”?
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They draw inspiration on canon material (then again, with Marvel, everything is often canon, with their innumerable reboots) but they create their own cohesive self-contained universe. 😀
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This looks good; reminds me of Prototype, in that it looks like you’ve got full swing at a lovely NYVC receation…
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Exactly! Glad to hear that you have also known the early days of Prototype! It was a fun chaotic game despite its flaws! I can’t say its sequel was any better but it was still fun for my past-young self! 😀
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It was not easy, but I loved the autumnal feel of New York, and leaping from building to building…
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If I were to try this I could see my webs either completely missing the mark and sailing off to whatever was behind that building, or accidentally hitting a car that then drags me around the city. 🙂 Real glad to hear you enjoyed it, though!
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Hahahah you don’t need to do any of that in these new Spider-Man games! Webslinging comes natural and is just a button that you timely press and release as he slings it to the nearest structure! Then there’s a bunch of combinations you can do to make your traveling movement even more natural and Spider-Man’y! 😉 Thanks for reading, Todd! 😀
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Man those ray-tracing effects, even though it’s subtle really make a difference, huh? I’m glad you got to play this on the next-gen console. The game looks great from here, Lashaan.
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They indeed do! Fantastic and vibrant colours with perfect lighting reflections, it really makes the world so much more attractive! Thanks for reading, Mr. McKinley! 😀
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Great review mate. Id like to try both this and the Amazing spiderman games still. But financially it is not possible. Wont be for a few years still
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Thanks, Dawie. Man, I wish you could get to try them out soon but I think you’ll appreciate them more in due time! The price will surely drop too. 😉
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Wonderful review Lashaan. I will say, Spiderman has sure changed since I was young.
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Thanks, Carla! Hahaha he sure has. He has soooo many different variants now. 😉
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Oh man, you already played it??? Impressive! The first Spider-Man was really great, so I’m glad to see the sequel doesn’t disappoint 😀
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You got the chance to play the first one?! I’m really glad to hear that (or even just hearing you say such positive things about it!). The sequel/spin-off really feels like a much more concise and polished game compared to it, albeit a bit cheesy here and then, but works like a charm for a character like Miles Morales! Hopefully, you’ll get to explore it sometime soon too! 😀
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I am jealous of anyone and everyone who has any sort of console, cause I have nothing of the sorts and also won’t really get anything haha but I loved seeing people talk about and screenshotting their playthrough of this. A friend showed me that you could take spider-cat with you in a backpack and I was all heart-eyes
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Haahah I wish you could enjoy the fantastic world they’ve managed to bring to life in these games! Playthroughs remains an excellent way to witness it all and experience it vicariously though! 😉 And yes to Spider-Cat! So adorable, so deadly! 😛
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Looks amazing from years ago. Technology today is so advanced than during the 1980s. I was told that video games prepared our populations for war.🤔
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It indeed is! And they probably did help, especially today with virtual reality! I’m sure many soldiers benefit from such trainings too. 😉
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You are right. Technology has become increasingly non-stop while training us, giving us conveniences and overtaking our senses of being. Merry Christmas Lashaan! Let’s pray for a better and less manipulated world for 2021 and beyond! Cheers!🍂🍮🍂🍮🍂🙏👍👍
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Hope you had a Merry Christmas as well, AOC! Here’s to a not-too-hasty countdown to 2021 and a Happy New Year that will change things for the better! 😀
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I scrolled all the way down in case there were spoilers. I’m currently playing through the game now.
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Hope you’re enjoying your time with it then! 😀
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I had no ides Spiderman was also a game but of course it is!
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Of course, it is! 😉
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Glad to see you’re putting your new machine to the test.
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I can assure you that my reading took a hit during November. 😉
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I loved this game so much! It was just like a warm hug (with punching), I really loved the emphasis on family and community. I also appreciated that while it was obviously mechanically very similar to the first game, there were plenty of little touches to separate Miles from Peter. I marathoned The City Never Sleeps DLC a week before I played Miles Morales, and was able to notice things like Peter always lands with absolute poise and grace, while Miles tends to wobble and flail slightly. He’s still getting the hang of things! I really, REALLY hope you can play as both Spider-Men in the eventual sequel, it would be so much fun.
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I’m really happy to read how we’re both on the same page for this game! I’m currently replaying Spider-Man on the PS5 on NG+ just to experience it with the graphical upgrade and it’s a blast! I can’t imagine how exciting and huge the sequel is going to be. In Insomniac, I trust!!! 😀 Thanks for reading my review and I wish you a Happy New Year while I’m at it!!! 😀
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Looking forward to playing this game. Not sure when that will be, but I’m almost done Spider-Man on the PS4, then I’ll play Control, Uncharted: Lost Legacy and maybe a couple of others.
For someone like me who doesn’t get as much game time as I would like, learning that this game is shorter is a plus.
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I can’t wait to try Control soon myself! I might end up going with the PC edition just to get the full graphical experience on my end. Lost Legacy was a fun spin-off to feature the kickass women of Uncharted! 😛 I hope you get around to this one in the near future, especially if you’re having a blast with Spider-Man! 😀
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