So even though the first few mechanics you learn are fairly straightforward–despite his inexperience, Miles controls just like Peter in the first game so web-slinging is practically effortless and combat isn’t much harder–the sheer whiplash of needing to constantly adapt to different types of gameplay in such a short time puts you right into Miles’ headspace. You need to steer the hulking brute around obstacles and pedestrians in a crowded shopping mall, and then you’re flung into the open world to chase after the villain through the twists and turns of the city streets. There’s a frantic pace to it the game tosses you straight into its combat and traversal mechanics, immediately having you fight some escaped convicts before sticking you to the back of a rampaging Rhino. Miles’ venom strikes offer him area-of-effect attacks, stunning and damaging groups of enemies. Things don’t go according to plan, but Miles manages to step up in a big way during the mission, proving to his mentor that he’s capable of watching over New York City on his own for two weeks while Peter goes on a vacation with Mary Jane.

After a short intro, Miles suits up and joins Peter Parker in escorting a convoy transporting supervillain Rhino, who’s being taken back to prison after his escape in the previous game. Like its predecessor, SM:MM throws you right into the action. And it’s that narrative and those characters that manage to distinguish SM:MM as an open-world action game that’s compelling to play.

Regardless, the familiar trappings of SM:MM are used to tell an entirely fresh story with a few brand-new faces.

There are a few side missions that aren’t about Miles fighting crime, though these are found in the new app request side activities. It’s just that sometimes SM:MM can feel too similar to what’s come before, which can get in the way of establishing Miles as his own brand of superhero. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing–I like 2018’s Spider-Man for its engaging combat loop, so I’m glad SM:MM emulates it. Though Miles controls pretty much exactly like Peter did in 2018’s Spider-Man, he has a few unique superpowers: venom strikes and camouflage.Īnd, unfortunately, the gameplay in Spider-Man: Miles Morales (which I will hereafter refer to as SM:MM because I’ll be damned if I try to write a full review that cleverly tries to make a distinction between Spider-Man/Miles Morales the game and Spider-Man/Miles Morales the character I won’t do it) never quite manages to break free of that feeling.

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