It's remarkable to watch a spider build a web. Time-lapse videos show an arachnid creating a structure that doesn't resemble the unique netting at first, but as it sets anchor points and creates bridge lines, a familiar shape begins to form. By the end of the footage, you see an amazing feat of engineering.

In a similar way, that's how "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" develops. It floods players with a firehose of Spidey content in the beginning. Peter Parker and Miles Morales team up in an epic battle against an enraged and enormous Sandman. It tosses in the villain Kraven for good measure as he turns New York City into his hunting ground.

Meanwhile, Miles has to write his college essay and be Spider-Man at the same time, while Peter tries to hold a job so he can keep the home Aunt May left him. He ends up getting fired on his first day on the job as a teacher, but, luckily, his childhood friend Harry Osborn offers him a plum job at the Emily May Foundation. Together, they want to save the world using scientific breakthroughs.

Two heroes, double the fun

It’s a lot to digest and may seem like too many storylines, but these threads are anchor points in a compelling narrative that supports an ambitious game. That’s because in “Spider-Man 2” players take on the role of two protagonists. Insomniac Games builds upon the foundation it established in its previous two games and finds ways to polish and deepen the combat.

In 'Spider-Man 2' players take on the role of two protagonists. — Photos: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Fighting as the two Spider-Men, players will learn that each has his strengths and weaknesses. Miles feels a tad more powerful initially. The venom attacks that he uses to zap enemies makes him dangerous and his ability to cloak makes him more versatile, especially when it comes to stealth.

Peter on the hand has a suit that unsheathes mechanical arms that help him beat up foes or ensnare enemies in webbing. Players who played the original "Spider-Man" and "Miles Morales" will feel at home with the combo-heavy attacks and the dodge they can perform when see their Spidey senses go off. Each character has a parry, which is a new move that lets each disrupt certain attacks.

Gadgets, new moves and Mary Jane

In "Spider-Man 2's" combat, gadgets become increasingly more important, especially as enemies grow in power and missions ask players to do more, like defend certain sections from enemies. The tools provide a way to control enemy hordes while players power up Miles' and Peters' special attacks, which grow more powerful over the campaign.

Peter on the hand has a suit that unsheathes mechanical arms that help him beat up foes or ensnare enemies in webbing.

It's a lot of moves to keep track of. Thankfully, Insomniac lets Peter and Miles share a skill tree and suit upgrades. The developer also gives them their own skill tree for their own powers. The progression system isn't overly complicated.

Aside from the two heroes, players will also take on the role of Mary Jane Watson, just like in the original. Her levels focus on stealth and the use of a stun gun; they offer a nice change of pace from all the web-slinging.

Getting around a bigger New York

When it comes to traversal, Insomniac gives the heroes several new moves to help them navigate an even bigger New York City. The team made the Big Apple denser and expanded it to include Brooklyn and Queens. Unlike the previous games, the two heroes can cross the bridges now. To help the two travel across neighborhoods and rivers quickly, the developers gave Miles and Peter Web Wings that let them glide through the air. They can gain speed by finding air currents that can carry them quickly across the map, and they can gain height by finding rooftop ventilation ducts that blow air upward.

To help the two travel across neighborhoods and rivers quickly, the developers gave Miles and Peter Web Wings that let them glide through the air.

The developer incorporates this new mode of travel in side quests and missions. Players will find these diversions dotting the map. A few offer intriguing optional stories that flesh out the world. Players will even encounter familiar faces from past games, but these side quests are often tailored to one of the heroes and offers a new take on a relationship. At their worst, the side quests just offer another object to collect or repeat a scenario, although under different conditions.

The alert missions where players are asked to stop a crime in progress are fun at first, but they can become annoying, especially when players feel like they have to do them in order to be a good Spider-Man. Flashbacks to Uncle Ben's death will guilt players into doing them.

Masterfully balancing the story of two heroes

Although Insomniac fills "Spider-Man 2" with plenty of good side stories, it's the main campaign and the characters' development that shine in this sequel. Like real-life spiders, the developers take these seemingly disparate threads and weave them into a coherent and at times poignant narrative. The tough part was giving Miles' and Peter's stories equal weight, but the developers managed to do that as players switch from one hero to another.

The tough part was giving Miles' and Peter's stories equal weight, but the developers managed to do that as players switch from one hero to another.

The stories and their themes interconnect as players see a fall from grace on one end followed by a redemption arc in another. It's all woven masterfully so that players will feel satisfied with the conclusion and excited for what comes next. – The Mercury News/Tribune News Service

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'Marvel's Spider-Man 2'

4 stars out of 4

Platform: PlayStation 5

Rating: Teen