Marvel comics, TV reveals, and particularly films appear to have a requirement to emphasise the “what’s subsequent” of all of it, the place the top of every thing can also be a tease for one thing else. Nicely, of us, Insomniac Video games took that task, ran with it, and took just a few further laps only for good measure.
Spider-Man 2, the triumphant sequel of the most effective video games of 2018, is full of teases and Easter eggs, all of which could possibly be spun off into new video games, half-sequels, or the last word finale of Spider-Man 3. We’ve obtained evil brothers hidden in plain sight, a mysterious bartender rendered in PlayStation 1-style graphics, and extra symbiote threats than we initially thought. Let’s tuck into it.
[Ed. note: This post contains major spoilers for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. If you haven’t beaten the campaign of the PlayStation 5 game and cleared every side mission, you will probably be spoiled by something in here.]
Spider-Man 2 sequel teases
![Peter Parker peers into a mysterious portal which leads to a bar in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Tj1HHsl4MZ0mL8h0U0xG0phkCg4=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035775/Marvel_s_Spider_Man_2_20231013011034.jpg)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of Polygon
There are loads of teases for the way forward for Insomniac’s Marvel video games, and a number of other of them come on the very finish of facet missions or are a bit obscure if you happen to’re not a comics reader.
Otto’s plan for the ultimate chapter
![Doc Ock looks at his manifesto in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vV_K4OH7c_vS0lPQ8Tb-0pOk-EI=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035931/Dr._Octopus__Post_Credit_Scene____Spider_Man_2_1_23_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of ScereBro PSNU/YouTube
In one of many post-credits scenes for Spider-Man 2, Norman Osborn visits his previous frenemy Otto Octavius. Otto is, after all, imprisoned within the Raft penitentiary due to all these crimes he dedicated as Physician Octopus again within the first recreation.
Norman needs Otto to inform him the id of the Spider-Mans in order that he can search revenge in opposition to them for placing Harry in a coma. Otto, who was lab companions with Norman however now hates his guts, revels in Osborn’s struggling and refuses to assist, and he simply retains engaged on his manifesto. When Norman asks what Octavius is writing, he merely responds, “The ultimate chapter,” as he limps towards the digital camera.
The tease right here is de facto simply that Otto is clearly going to be again in some capability in a possible Spider-Man 3. Though together with his bodily situation worsening (it’s established in Marvel’s Spider-Man that Otto has some type of degenerative mind dysfunction that’s inflicting him to lose his effective motor abilities), it’s unclear whether or not he’ll be preventing on the entrance traces or taking part in the function of grasp tactician.
Miles, meet Cindy and Albert Moon
![Miles Morales meets Cindy Moon in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u7C5NpV3eefajxDWWTEJDLuD5gE=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035932/SPIDER_MAN_2___Miles_meets_Silk_aka_Cindy_Moon_Scene__4K__2_25_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of Dan Allen Gaming/YouTube
After Miles’ mother, Rio, spends the whole recreation asking him to fulfill her new boyfriend, Miles lastly opens the door to fulfill Albert in one of many post-credits scenes. However Albert isn’t actually the tease right here, because it’s rapidly revealed that Albert has introduced his daughter Cindy with him to the household dinner.
Cindy Moon is best often called Silk, yet one more Spider-person who fights baddies and protects New York. In some variations she has a reasonably traumatic upbringing and isn’t notably shut along with her father. Insomniac is clearly seeking to twist this origin, though we’re not fairly positive how simply but.
Norman needs the ‘G-Serum’
![Norman shouts about needing G-Serum in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7m63RCSpqkjO1rW3H0k2SebngTs=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035943/SPIDER_MAN_2___All_Norman_Osborn_Scenes___Becoming_Green_Goblin__4K__13_56_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of Dan Allen Gaming/YouTube
After the Spider-Mans and MJ defeat him, Venom reverts again to Harry, who, as we mentioned earlier, is in a coma. In a match of rage over his son’s situation, Norman calls someone to ask for the G-Serum.
Now, it’s by no means explicitly acknowledged, however that is about as on the nostril as you may get for a Inexperienced Goblin tease. Within the second, it looks as if Norman needs the G-Serum for Harry, however now we have little doubt it’ll find yourself within the disgraced former mayor ultimately.
Wait, isn’t that Knull’s image?
![A symbiote meteor hangs from symbiote tendrils in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5cG4EVqltsBpJQ5KWSJlCrdkgHE=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035952/Spider_Man_2_All_Venom_Cutscenes_2023__All_Venom_Scenes_PS5__4K_60FPS_18_26_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of Zanar Aesthetics/YouTube
Through the marketing campaign, it’s revealed that the symbiote got here to Earth by way of a meteor, and that meteor has a giant, red spiral on the entrance of it, which is most frequently related to Knull, aka the King in Black, the tyrant god of symbiotes.
Apparently, the sport by no means mentions Knull by identify, and even actually alludes to an extra cosmic presence exterior of the meteor itself, which Miles, Pete, and MJ destroy on the finish of the story. This could possibly be only a nod to comics followers, nevertheless it is also a seed that may blossom right into a full symbiote invasion led by the king himself.
Cletus Kasady is in possession of a symbiote
![Cletus Kasady holds up a symbiote in a glass vial in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/stra0O3-O_tYBHtn-o6R__LxCv8=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035953/Cletus_Kasady_finds_the_Carnage_Symbiote___Marvel_s_Spider_Man_2_PS5__4K_HDR__2_38_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of HD Playground/YouTube
Peter works to take down a cult referred to as The Flame over the course of Spider-Man 2, And within the ultimate quest, Insomniac reveals the cult’s chief to be none aside from Cletus Kasady, everybody’s favourite serial assassin.
Cletus is the symbiote host for Carnage, the red-tinged symbiote villain who has given each Venom and Peter loads of bother over time. With Kasady uncaptured on the finish of Spider-Man 2 and in possession of a wholesome symbiote, the rise of Carnage is all however assured.
The Chameleon is flourishing in NYC
![Chameleon holds up a martini glass in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xKs_evnfJb8EXSIo-xXYGFNeZpE=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035963/Spider_Man_Meets_Chameleon_Scene___Marvel_s_Spider_Man_2_PS5_3_36_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of GameClips/YouTube
After chasing down all of Kraven’s drones, the 2 Spider-Mans ultimately come across a lovely penthouse house with a secret basement. Seems this place belongs to Chameleon, a grasp of disguise. (Enjoyable truth: He was the primary villain Spider-Man ever confronted within the authentic comics.) Oh, and the Chameleon can also be Kraven’s brother.
Because the Spider-Mans swing away from the house, we see a man in disguise trying towards the rooftops, indicating that the Chameleon was watching because the heroes ransacked his house. Chameleon has clearly been arrange within the metropolis for some time, and this tease appears to point that he’ll seem in a Spider-Man sequel.
Miguel O’Hara and the Bar with No Identify
![Delilah tends bar in the Bar With No Name in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i4jvPXMdwoeROnTqFHgZA1LYMtU=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035964/Across_The_Spider_Verse_Crossover_In_Marvel_s_Spider_Man_2___Delilah_and_The_Bar_With_No_Name_0_26_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of PerfectParadox/YouTube
When you’ve collected all of the Spider-Bots within the recreation, you’ll get a sign that leads you to an alleyway. While you get there, a portal opens, and also you see a bartender named Delilah standing behind a bar. Delilah is the operator of the Bar With No Identify, a secret bar for villains within the Marvel universe. After a cryptic chat, she opens a field and steals all of the Spider-Bots you spent so lengthy gathering. She then name-drops Miguel (O’Hara) earlier than shutting the portal.
It is a bizarre little Easter egg that doesn’t precisely have a transparent tease. However with the character of the Spider-Bots all being based mostly on Spider-Man characters and villains from different universes, and Delilah’s model being that of a PlayStation 1 recreation, this appears to be teasing a multiversal story or some type of crossover. It’s very unclear what this could possibly be resulting in or what it has to do with Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099.
Spider-Man no extra?
![Miles encourages Peter in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/V3JMpC5082GVz8OOPt9GYBktjj8=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035969/Peter_Quits_Being_Spider_Man_Ending_Scene___Marvel_s_Spider_Man_2_PS5_3_16_screenshot.png)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of DVESF/YouTube
Pete hangs up his tights on the finish of Spider-Man 2, letting Miles deal with town whereas the unique Spider-Man will get a well-earned break. However this appears extra like a Spidey-hiatus than full-on Spidey-retirement. We’d wager we’ll see an honest time skip between Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3, and that Pete can be married and probably a father earlier than he dons the go well with once more.
Are we getting one other half-sequel?
![Spider-Man shocking an enemy lying on the ground in Spider-Man: Miles Morales](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/J27EJKu9U-CfjTQZOKsDtZDfMuE=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/20031819/miles_morales_spider_man_venom_3840.jpg)
Spider-Man: Miles Morales was a giant hit with followers, and took the huge, sprawling Marvel’s Spider-Man and condensed it right down to only a handful of hours. It informed a fantastic little story, launched us extra fully to Miles as a hero, and, crucially, did loads of legwork to arrange Spider-Man 2.
Primarily based on the reception of Miles Morales, it appears extraordinarily unlikely that we gained’t see one other half-sequel that bridges the hole between Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3. The true query, then, is who that half-sequel can be about. We’ve got a handful of concepts on that.
Venom
Venom is the clear candidate for a derivative recreation. Not solely is he briefly playable in Spider-Man 2 already (we’re not recreation designers, however now we have to think about a minimum of a few of that onerous dev work will switch over to a brand new recreation), nevertheless it looks as if Insomniac’s builders have a minimum of considered it.
In a latest interview, Spider-Man 2’s narrative director, Jon Paquette, told Insider that the staff is ready to see how followers react and what they need earlier than committing to any spinoffs. This was in direct response to a query a couple of Venom recreation, so most individuals (ourselves included) are taking this as a minimum of mushy affirmation that Insomniac is toying with a Venom spinoff, and that the reply principally quantities to “we’re not not making a Venom recreation (*wink*).”
However chances are you’ll be asking your self, “Wait, isn’t Harry in a coma, and wasn’t the Venom symbiote destroyed?” The reply to each of these questions is technically sure, however there’s a Venom-sized “however” that follows. Spider-Man 2 very clearly establishes that symbiotes stay inactive contained in the host even after they’ve separated themselves from the unique parasite.
Identical to how Mister Unfavourable was in a position to harness Pete’s latent symbiote to show him into Anti-Venom, it appears very simple to elucidate how somebody with a really highly effective connection to their symbiote (like Harry) may have their alter ego reawaken regardless of the host symbiote being “useless.” This could possibly be particularly enjoyable with Harry’s present predicament, because it means we may spend the primary little bit of a Venom recreation piloting round a comatose Harry, wreaking havoc and entering into scrapes with Miles.
Silk
Silk is one other robust risk for a derivative, because it’s basically the identical setup that led from Spider-Man into Miles Morales. Nonetheless, Miles performs a significant function within the first Spider-Man earlier than getting any powers. All we see of Cindy is the again of her head, and we be taught nothing about her character in Spider-Man 2.
With Silk simply being a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tease, it appears more likely that she’ll function closely in no matter half-sequel we find yourself getting earlier than being playable in Spider-Man 3.
Miles Morales 2
Our ultimate guess for a half-sequel is only a straight-up sequel to Miles Morales. This makes some sense, however can also be simply boring compared to the opposite two choices — no offense to Miles, however we have already got two full video games the place we are able to play as him at any time when we would like!
Nonetheless, a Miles sequel would enable Insomniac to discover a New York the place Miles is the one Spider-Man, and even convey Cindy in as his trainee. This is able to be a poetic handoff after the tutelage Miles acquired from Peter in Miles Morales and Spider-Man 2, and a fantastic setup for a 3rd recreation. I imply, who doesn’t wish to hear Pete check with himself as Silk’s “Spider-Grandpa”?
However a Miles Morales sequel in that trend remains to be retread floor, and Insomniac appears hell-bent on delivering new experiences every time it places out a Spidey product.
So the place does that go away Spider-Man 3?
![Spider-Man and Wraith make plans to take down Cletus Kasady in Spider-Man 2](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4sPRu3s9K1VloYoxAsFYkDqqC9E=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25035791/Marvel_s_Spider_Man_2_20231025092943.jpg)
Picture: Insomniac Video games/Sony Interactive Leisure by way of Polygon
Insomniac Video games has clearly left itself a lot of wiggle room in terms of the way forward for its Spider-Man. Will Carnage present up in Spider-Man 3, or will he take middle stage in a Venom recreation? Is that Miguel teaser an offhand tease of one other spinoff we don’t find out about, or simply one other facet exercise in a sequel that’s most likely 5 years off? We don’t know the solutions to both of these questions, and it’s totally doable that Insomniac doesn’t have them 100% pinned down but, both.
So what do we all know for positive concerning the subsequent recreation? Nicely, Norman’s Inexperienced Goblin can be a fairly large deal. That’s a really protected wager — the free area on all of your Spider-Man 3 bingo playing cards at house. We additionally know that Otto will play some type of function as properly, seemingly as a 3rd get together warring in opposition to each Inexperienced Goblin and Spider-Man.
And we all know we’ll haven’t any scarcity of heroes for us to embody, with Miles, Cindy, Peter, and (most likely) Harry all on the bench and able to tackle no matter Insomniac has in retailer for New York.
We’re nonetheless a minimum of two or three years (and a whole-ass Wolverine recreation) away from studying what’s subsequent for Insomniac’s New York. However the studio has actually given us loads to ponder in our time away from the web-head and his crew of associates and enemies.