Summary
- No more DLC is planned for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, leaving its Carnage and Chameleon subplots currently unfinished.
- The Carnage storyline hinted at with "The Flame" subplot has no closure, nor does Chameleon's appearance and promise to eliminate Spider-Man.
- Attempting to include both Carnage and Chameleon in the third installment may lead to a bloated plot.
News of Marvel's Spider-Man 2's impending arrival on PC cut deep, as it was accompanied by the revelation that no more story content is planned for the game, thereby "canceling" any potential DLC. After its predecessor received DLC story content shortly after its launch, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 was expected to get the same treatment, especially with the subplots it left open-ended.
While there are multiple paths Marvel's Spider-Man 2 could have taken with DLC, two major reveals during the game's story now put Insomniac between a rock and a hard place. Specifically, as both Carnage and Chameleon plots were teased but left unresolved, now the developer will need to find some way to tie them up, either in the next mainline game or in a different, currently unannounced game.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2's Unfinished Subplots Will Need to Land Somewhere
A Carnage Story Was Set Up in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 But Never Resolved
One of the biggest disappointments about Marvel's Spider-Man 2's DLC being canceled is that it potentially means a lack of closure for the presumed Carnage story that was set up with "The Flame" side missions. "The Flame" sees Peter Parker teaming up with an old ally to stop a dangerous cult led by someone known as "The Flame." By the end of the storyline, Peter encounters the leader of the cult, whom Yuri says is sometimes known as Cletus Kasady, the psychopathic serial killer from the comics who eventually becomes a host for Carnage. This is further confirmed by a statement The Flame makes before exiting the scene, "And when the Crimson Hour rolls over this earth, it shall bring truth, judgment, and carnage."
Considering the impact of "The Flame" on Marvel's Spider-Man 2's narrative and how it was unfortunately left unresolved, it was always assumed that Carnage's story would continue in a Marvel's Spider-Man 2 DLC pack. However, since the game's DLC has been canceled, Insomniac will need to either tie up this loose end in the next Marvel's Spider-Man game or potentially in the leaked Venom game, assuming the leak was real, and the Venom game is indeed happening.
Including Carnage's story in the Venom-led game might not make sense considering Peter's involvement in "The Flame" subplot in Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
Chameleon Was Teased in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 But Never Appeared Again
Another major setup left unresolved in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 finally sees Chameleon revealed. After making significant progress through the game's main story, players will enter a mysterious apartment that they soon discover belongs to Chameleon. As Peter explores the apartment, he finds a basement filled with weapons and masks, as well as a missing persons database that dates back twenty years. Upon accessing Chameleon's computer, poison gas is eventually released and Peter is forced to leave. As he swings away, Chameleon watches from the rooftop, martini in hand, telling his deceased brother, "I will do what you could not."
Just as it was assumed that Marvel's Spider-Man 2's Carnage story would be resolved in DLC, Chameleon might have been a good candidate for DLC as well. It could be that Chameleon will appear as one of the main villains in Marvel's Spider-Man 3, but the issue there is that multiple villains are already lined up for the next mainline game, potentially including Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, and Doctor Octopus.
Adding even more villains to Marvel's Spider-Man 3 could potentially bloat it with too many subplots, thereby recreating a Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 situation.
The best way forward for the Marvel's Spider-Man series might be another spin-off game that shows Silk (who was teased at the end of Marvel's Spider-Man 2) joining Peter and Miles in their fight to protect New York City. This could allow a proper, uncrowded introduction of Chameleon and Carnage and establish Silk as a member of the team in time for the third mainline installment. Wherever the series goes, however, Insomniac can't afford to leave these stories unresolved.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- October 20, 2023
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.
Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.
Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
- Engine
- Insomniac Engine v.4.0
- Franchise
- Spider-Man
- PC Release Date
- January 30, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- October 20, 2023
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
- How Long To Beat
- 17 hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
