Review – Marvel Spider-Man: Miles Morales

As both a game and a demonstration of what the PlayStation 5 can do, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a winner.

Marvel Spider-Man: Miles Morales

As the launch title for the Sony PlayStation 5 as well as follow-on to one of the most popular PlayStation 4 games ever released, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales has some big shoes to fill – and fits them very comfortably.

Developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, this is the first AAA game designed to showcase exactly what the PlayStation 5 can do.

The game is taking place while original Spider-Man Peter Parker is on a European holiday with girlfriend Mary-Jane over Christmas, and teenager Miles Morales (also bitten by a super-spider) is filling in for him.

The game is an excellent showcase of the PlayStation 5’s capabilities, with incredible graphics taking full advantage of what the console can offer.

PS5 Marvel Spider-Man Miles Morales

In most respects, the game offers the same experience as its predecessor – and that’s fine because it was such a good game. Swinging from building to building through downtown Manhattan is still as fun as ever, and thanks to the new graphical enhancements (not to mention the winter setting) it feels like a different place in some respects.

The snow and weather effects are extremely well done and the whole experience runs smoothly regardless of what is happening on the screen.

It’s not just the graphics which enhances the game. The PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller plays a significant part, with its haptic feedback being used to simulate everything from trains travelling over tracks, to electric currents, to fall impacts, while the adjustable trigger resistance adds to the feeling of pulling on objects or swinging between buildings.

While basic combat is the same as the previous game, Miles has bio-electric abilities which can be used to shock enemies and open doors which adds a new element to the game.

PS5 Marvel Spider-Man Miles Morales

It takes around 12 hours to complete the main story. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is not as long as the previous game, but feels a more focused and a tighter overall experience.

Make no mistake, there’s still a lot to do in the game – from finding tech caches to recovering collectable items from Miles’ earlier life, to dealing with situations from the in-game Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man App. The game manages a good balance of content without making the side missions feel like padding.

The main story is well done and feels like a Spider-Man story, complete with a few surprises, and even if you didn’t play the previous game you can still get into this one, as it is a stand-alone adventure.

PS5 Marvel Spider-Man Miles Morales

There are a few issues with the game, notably that Peter Parker’s face has been redesigned to make him look younger, so instead of coming across as an experienced older mentor to Miles Morales, they both seem about the same age.

It’s not a game-breaking thing, however, but it was a jarring design choice given that many gamers and critics appreciated Peter Parker looking like he’d undergone some major experiences as Spider-Man.

As both a game and a demonstration of what the PlayStation 5 can do, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a winner. While the appeal is somewhat muted on the PlayStation 4, it’s still an excellent stand-alone shorter adventure – and for PlayStation 5 owners, it’s a chance to see more of the Spider-Man universe while being impressed by a taste of what the next generation of consoles can do.