How Insomniac DESTROYED Peter Parker in Spider-Man 2…

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has been out for a couple of months now, and in that time, it's given me the ability to recollect and gather my thoughts on the game overall. In this video, I discuss my concerns about insomniacs' characterization of Peter Parker and his "Nice guy" syndrome with Miles, MJ, and Harry. I also dive into why it ruins certain aspects of the game's story, like the symbiote/Venom storyline.
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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (2023)
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Synopsis: Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is set 10 months after the events of Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020). The game follows Peter Parker (Yuri Lowenthal) and Miles Morales (Nadji Jeter). Peter serves as a mentor to Miles, who gained his superpowers during the events of the first game, though he struggles with balancing his personal life and duties as the city's protector.
Throughout the city, the two Spider-Men are faced with several supervillains such as Venom (Tony Todd), an extraterrestrial symbiote capable of bonding to human bodies and granting regenerative powers while negatively influencing their behavior; Sergei Kravinoff / Kraven the Hunter (Jim Pirri), the leader of a faction of mercenaries called the "Hunters" who seek to hunt super-powered beings like the Spider-Men.
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Cast:
Yuri Lowenthal, Madji Jeter, Tony Todd, Laura Bailey, Jim Pirri
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IF YOU'RE READING THIS, BE GREATER

[thiefpersona]

When you remember that in original comics the simbiote didn't change Peter's personality only took his body when he slept and you see this Peter go from Jesus to Demon is really bizarre. The entire concept of the simbiote changing Peter personality apeared on the 1994 Spider-Man The Animated Series and even in the first time that concept apeared it was a lot more well done. The entire Simbiote Saga is only three episodes and somehow its a lot more well paced and fun to watch.

And another thing, Peter isn't a nice guy in the classic comics. He's a good person but he still is a normal dude with a lot of issues.

[drparadox]

Best way to describe symbiote effect on the host is the way my mother described it while we watched Spider-Man 3:

"He became evil."

Mom: No he just does not care what is right or wrong.

That is how I saw the suite in the cartoons and movie from that point on.

It DID NOT turn Peter evil it simply told him to do and take what he wants since he has power for it. It tells him to forgo the responsibility and use all the power for himself and Peter had crazy and iritating shit going on at the time Suite entered his life.

Suite simply nudges him and Peter himself jumps into the abyss and AFTER that finds himself again and rejects the suite. That is the greatness of the Symbiote arc: it shows that even Peter has innate capacity for evil, but with it he has maturity and mental strength to resist it.

[dougquaid]

I couldn't agree more, I didn't connect with this Peter Parker in the same way as I did in the first game.. And, I know it is only an aesthetic thing but the fact they changed his appearance really bummed me out. The first Character model felt much more natural and organic and I connected with him much more, as well as being a cool unique look for the character. It feels like some corporate finger prints to me to try and bring the game model closer to Tom Holland maybe? I don't know but I wasn't a fan of the change.

[empty_melodies]

Agreed. Love the game but they made Peter a pushover.

[lazarus]

Like I say, this game could've been the Arkham city of the series in a way. It just was corrupted by too many things that shouldn't have been a priority when making this game.

[bluewings]

Good video. Yes, Peter in 2 is not the same as in the first one. He is 25 but he is clearly less mature. In Spider-Man 1, he was an adult. In 2, he is a man child. He is not only nerfed physically but also mentally.
His problems with MJ are not even really addressed. They showed him as a supportive boyfriend who have a lot on his mind already sure but he was here for her every time, if MJ addressed directly the issue, he would have told her to quit her job and do what she really wants, no debate about it. They fight is ridiculous. Maybe Peter should have tell her directly, but MJ also should have express what she wanted.
With Miles, you are right. He should have told him that he made a mistake that almost had civilians killed, but say nothing, because the writers don't want to put Miles in situations where he is clearly criticized. Even his friend and mother never really criticize him, being always super friendly and encouraging. Miles in this game have no consequences for his actions, he is always written in a good way even when they artificially show a small flaw with his anger about Mister Negative. Quite the opposite, he had a power up during the sequence ! He is even the one we as players control during the last fighting sequence of the game against Venom, and he is the one who saved Harry at the end, not Peter... wow...
Miles is a Gary Stu in this game, he suffer no consequences, he is always encouraged and praised, and leveling up constantly, and overcoming every challenges. Peter on the other hand is constantly undermined by the story and the characters, always apologizing, always needing help for hard situations, even his victories are never truly victories.
The writers never wanted a "be greater. together" story. What they really wanted is "Why would this city need me when it has you?". Peter is so out of character with this, basically saying "you know Miles, I'm not as good as you, you rocks bro that you should be the only one !". Peter "with great powers comes great responsibility" Parker is ok to half retire because someone else is stronger... Saying this when he gained the Anti Venom, when is mental issues are solved... thanks to Miles of course, Peter can't even fight his own mental battle...wow... just wow...
It's very easy to understand the massive character writing flaws. They undermined Peter in every way to makes Miles and MJ on the spotlight. That's it, that's peak lazy writing Insomniac. They really should hire more competent writers with experience for their future games, more comic book writers as they did for Spider-Man 1.

[substandardeagle]

It's a shame that Insomniac is stating to show the same disdain toward Peter as Marvel editorial. It honestly feels like the good writing of the first game was a total fluke.

[tjjordan]

I had a feeling that they would Woke-ify the game and thus held off on playing it. Super glad that I did and just went to play the 2018 version instead.

[Starsdealer]

They nerfed peter so bad, this game is rushed ash

[jaydmond]

gotta check out the game and get back to ya!! Thanks for a great vid!

[Zero-pzjo]

Yeah. They could really take notes from spectacular.

[mysticblaze]

Thought this was gonna be another random spider man 2 hate video just to be different, but i found myself watching the whole video and agreeing with pretty much all of your points in retrospect. Good video!

[thehulk]

Im just going to be honest the first game was so much better and written so much better compared to the second game the gameplay mechanics was amazing for the second game but as far as story goes the first game gets first place for it

[hamzauygaming]

6:55 That's why they call him Bully Maguire

[Motherofdragons]

Peter did repeatedly tell Harry not to come to the foundary, but Harry did it anyway! I understand he was literally in quarantine for the last two years, but there's a reason Peter told him to stay put! I think he was just afraid of telling him off because they hadn't seen each other in a few years! I don't know, but Peter's never been good at speaking his mind because he's afraid of hurting others. I can personally relate to that! Peter told him he did mess everything up, but in the best possible way. This Symbiote story is not supposed to be like the ones we've seen before. It's supposed to center more around addiction. The Symbiote makes Peter think he's a better Spider-Man with it, therefore he wants to keep it. I love Bully Lowenthal! I don't completely understand the scream thing. MJ offered to help cover the mortgage, so she can't say anything to Peter about how he can't pay the mortgage. Peter had no reason to apologize to her, but I feel like he was just trying to calm her down and that's the only way he knows how. I just wish I could tell him, "Peter, you didn't take anybody for granted! You're literally saving people every single day! Yes your personal responsibilities are piling up, but don't ever apologize for being Spider-Man!" Also, don't forget a huge part of this game is he's still dealing with the loss of Aunt May and thinking it's his fault! He does have a real conversation with Miles, about how he doesn't want to lose Harry the same way he lost May! When you're struggling mentally, that can affect everything in your day-to-day life! I don't see any issues with this! If anything, it just makes me want to give Peter a hug! I feel like he could use one throughout the entire game! As sad as it made me at first, I completely respect him for wanting to take a small break! I know he'll be back soon because of everything that's been set up! 😁❤️💙🕷️🕸️

[GDKLLR]

Couldn't have said better, so rushed and poorly written... it could've been so much more., let's hope spiderman 3 gets more into the depth of his character in a less banal way. Game was fire tho

[JosiahFinks-xd]

Peter was nerfed in this game and am the story sucked

[thewubgod]

Underrated channel you need way more subs

[Noname-gmom]

The symbiote enhances emotions not gives new ones

[phoster]

only a minute in, but research sweet baby inc.’s involvement in this game, it has a lot to do with what happened to the story.