Summary
Insomniac’s take on the beloved web-crawler is one of the best examples of the superhero genre in gaming.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2developed upon its predecessor andthe Miles Morales-led half-sequelby giving players more mobility, a more substantial map, and another well-rounded story.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2takes cues from the first game by being fruitful with its choice of antagonists, with Kraven the Hunter and Venom leading the charge, but others being sprinkled in along the way. Dr. Octopus is one of Spidey’s most well-known villains, and while he takes up space in the 2018 release, there are benefits and drawbacks to having him feature in the upcoming third title.
Dr. Octopus is Peter Parker’s First Personal Failure
In 2018’sSpider-Man, Dr. Otto Octavius spends much of the story as a down-on-his-luck scientist with a head full of ideas, but a lack of money, resources, and patience to see it through. He’s immediately relatable and easy to root for, and the amount of time it takes for him to turn into theDr. Octopus fans know him to becan trick some into thinking the villainous twist will never actually happen. Otto and Peter are on the same page, with the former being the latter’s personal confidant on more than one occasion.
Dr. Octopus made his first comic appearance inThe Amazing Spider-Man#3 in July 1963.
Watching the gentle Otto become the overbearing and unreasonable Dr. Octopus is tragic, and Spider-Man’s desperate attempt to reverse his evil nature feels like a friend stopping a friend, rather than a hero conquering a bad guy. It’s at the heart ofSpider-Manand one of the biggest reasons why it feels like more than just another superhero adventure. To harness that energy again in the context of the second game could be fascinating, and provide an emotional backbone between two characters who will undoubtedly have some kind of impact even thoughMiles Morales is supposedly the focus in the third game.
Continuity is Key in Superhero Stories
Spider-Man 2has two post-credits scenes that shine a light on the future of the franchise. Oneteases the appearance of Cindy Ryan, AKA Silk, but the other shows a frosty reunion between Norman Osborn and Dr. Otto Octavius. It’s a great moment between two heavy-hitting characters who have an ax to grind with Spider-Man. To have that as a prominent post-credits moment, only to not bring Dr. Octopus back would feel like a needless red herring. Otto Octavius is an essential emotional pillar of Peter, and Spider-Man’s development, and so it would only make sense to fulfill the promise of the second game’s memorable after-credits moment, bringing a sense of continuity to the series.
Spider-Man Has More Villains to Utilize
The conclusion ofSpider-Man 2is similar to that of the first game in that it shows a glimmer of hope after diverting a potentially world-altering event, which is succeeded by new plot threads that can be pulled in the next outing. Whereas the first impliedthe arrival of Venom, whichSpider-Man 2delivered on, Green Goblin is alluded to at the close of the 2023 release, so it makes sense to have the fight be between Spider-Man and a man who is perhaps his biggest adversary.
Aside from this, there are still a handful of personalities that have yet to appear.Be it Carnage, Jackal, or Morlun, to name a few, there is so much potential for new personalities to make an impact. Dr. Octopus has been wonderfully developed, and his arc came to a terrific end in 2018, so while Otto could be a neat inclusion, it could be best to keep him as Otto rather than becoming his alter-ego.
The recent Insomniac leaks indicate that a Venom game is in the works, supposedly set for a 2025 release.
Spider-Man 3 Could Change its Villain Formula
The first game bills Mr. Negative and Dr. Octopus as the main villains, but come the third act, it becomes clear thatthe Sinister Sixhas a role to play in the story. Rhino, Vulture, Electro, and Scorpion are all minor antagonists that make Spider-Man feel out numbered. However, because of this it can feel crowded, andSpider-Man 3being a smaller affair could be wise. It would be a step back to have Dr. Octopus reduce Green Goblin’s screen time, as it could serve to diminish his impact on the story.
