Summary
- Insomniac Games' open-world approach turns the environment into a playground with stories and challenges.
- Sunset Overdrive is a chaotic, vibrant game embracing absurdity with unique traversal mechanics and humor.
- Marvel's Spider-Man series captures the essence of the character through fluid traversal, combat, and emotional storytelling.
Insomniac Games has made a name for itself with vibrant, dynamic open worlds that practically beg players to dive in and explore. Whether it's grinding through a city overrun with energy drink mutants or swinging through Manhattan as Spider-Man, these games know how to make movement feel fun.
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Insomniac’s open-world approach isn’t just about size; it’s about turning the environment itself into a playground, filled with stories, challenges, and moments that stick with players long after the credits roll. Here’s every open-world Insomniac game, ranked from chaotic energy to web-slinging perfection.
4 Sunset Overdrive
When Caffeine Meets Chaos
Sunset Overdrive
- Released
- October 28, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
Few games manage to capture pure chaos as stylishly as Sunset Overdrive. Set in a dystopian city overrun by mutants who drank one too many energy drinks, this game embraces absurdity without hesitation. The world itself is a colorful, anarchic playground where traversal is king. Grinding on power lines, bouncing off cars, and wall-running through skyscrapers feels like Tony Hawk got his hands on a bazooka.
Players aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving, using outrageous weapons like the TNTeddy and Acid Sprinkler while keeping their combo meter up by staying airborne. The story is just as wild, with a self-aware tone that pokes fun at both the apocalypse and gaming clichés. While the combat is frenetic and unapologetically over the top, it’s the fluid traversal that makes Sunset Overdrive shine. It’s hard not to smile while rocketing across rooftops, leaving a trail of explosive mayhem behind.
This game is a reminder that sometimes, the best way to fight the apocalypse is to grab a weapon, crack a joke, and surf a power line like your life depends on it.
3 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
The Cold Never Bothered Him Anyway
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Swinging through snow-covered Harlem as Miles Morales feels like wearing a familiar but freshly tailored suit. While it builds on the foundation of Marvel’s Spider-Man, this game doesn’t just feel like a glorified expansion. It’s more intimate, focusing on Miles finding his own way as a hero while navigating his role within his community.
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The combat system takes a bold leap forward with Miles’ bio-electric Venom powers and his invisibility, adding new layers of strategy. Whether it’s using a Venom Punch to shatter enemy defenses or cloaking to sneak through hostile areas, the gameplay feels just different enough to stand out. The story leans into themes of identity and belonging, with Miles’ relationship with his mother and his best friend, Ganke, grounding the superhero chaos in genuine emotion.
And that winter aesthetic? It’s not just for show. The city feels alive, with holiday decorations lining the streets and snow crunching underfoot. It’s still the same New York City, but with a warmth that comes from Miles’ community-centric journey.
2 Marvel’s Spider-Man
Spidey’s Love Letter To New York
Marvel's Spider-Man
- Released
- September 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Insomniac’s take on Spider-Man doesn’t just nail the web-slinging—it nails the heart of the character. Peter Parker here isn’t a newbie; he’s been saving New York for eight years, balancing his superhero duties with life’s relentless curveballs. And the city itself feels like his co-star, sprawling and brimming with life. Whether it’s listening to J. Jonah Jameson’s rants over the radio or helping out at F.E.A.S.T., the world never stops moving.
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The movement system is a marvel in itself. Swinging from one skyscraper to another feels both graceful and exhilarating. Combat is just as agile, mixing gadgets like web bombs and electric webs with fluid acrobatics to keep enemies guessing. Boss fights feel cinematic, with battles against iconic villains like Doc Ock and Vulture seamlessly blending into the story.
But it’s not all action. Peter’s personal struggles are woven into the plot, making his triumphs feel earned. The story knows when to let the mask come off and show the person underneath, whether he’s helping Aunt May or questioning his friendship with Otto Octavius. This duality is why Marvel’s Spider-Man stands out, balancing the burden of heroism with the need to just be human.
1 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Two Spider-Men Are Better Than One
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
If the first Marvel’s Spider-Man was a love letter to the character, then Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a full-blown epic. The addition of co-protagonists Peter Parker and Miles Morales adds depth to both the narrative and gameplay, giving players a chance to experience two distinct styles of heroism. Switching between them on the fly during story missions is a game-changer, keeping the momentum high and the storytelling fluid.
Venom’s presence looms large, transforming the city’s atmosphere into something darker and more intense. Symbiote powers add weight to Peter’s moves, making his combat feel raw and unrestrained, while Miles continues to hone his bio-electric abilities, now even more potent and creative. The villains are just as memorable, with Kraven the Hunter’s relentless pursuit adding a sense of danger that permeates the story.
The city itself feels more vibrant and responsive, from the lively street musicians to the more interactive landmarks. Flying through the air on Miles’ web wings or gliding along as Peter, it’s hard not to feel like a hero. The game doesn’t just expand the world—it makes it feel richer, more connected, and undeniably alive.
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