Warning: Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.There is plenty to praise aboutMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, but one of the game’s biggest strengths is how every single activity is worth doing. What seems like a simple set of tasks where players need to chase drones using their Web Wings turns out to be setup for theChameleon, Kraven’s half-brotherand a villainous master of disguise. Similarly, while the Spider-Bots may seem like just a charming collectible, they eventually offer a fun scene with a scrapped character from theSpider-Versemovie franchise. Best of all are The Flame missions, which set up the debut of Carnage, though he actually shouldn’t be used in theMarvel’s Spider-Manseries.
Despite being optional, The Flame missions feel as if they should be a part of the main story because of how high quality they are. All the pay-off for Wraith, who was set up in The City That Never Sleeps DLC from the original game, happens during these missions. This includes a memorable boss fight against Yuri Watanabe’s alter ego, as well as some fun team-up fights that include entertaining stealth and combat takedowns. Still, for many fans, the most exciting part of these missions will not be Peter and Yuri butting heads, but the reveal that Cletus Kasady is the leader of the Flame cultists. Next time fans see him, though, it should be in a Venom game, notMarvel’s Spider-Man 3orMarvel’s Spider-Man 2DLC.
A Proper Version of Carnage Cannot Be Realized in Marvel’s Spider-Man
Who is Carnage?
For those unfamiliar with Carnage, he is the second most popularSymbiote character in the Marvel universe, second only to the monstrous Venom. A supervillain in the truest sense of the word, Cletus Kasady was a disturbed individual long before he acquired a Symbiote. Killing his grandmother as a child, Kasady went on to attempt murders of other family members and successfully killed other children. When he became an adult, he fully embraced being a serial killer, and he eventually came into contact with a loose piece of the Symbiote, becoming Carnage.
While Kasady’s role as a fire-obsessed cult leader in Insomniac’s universe is a bit different from other iterations that make him a straightforward serial killer, it does still seem like he has racked up quite the body count based on what Wraith says about him in her conversations withPeter Parker. With artwork of fiery red demons that are very reminiscent of Carnage seen throughout The Flame’s hideouts, as well as his choice to hunt down a Symbiote as opposed to it coincidentally attaching to him, this version of Cletus seems to have a vision for how he can take his killing to the next level. To make this determined killer all he can be, giving him the right playground will be important.
Carnage is The Perfect Villain For a Venom Spin-Off
With Insomniac Games saying it is listening to fan feedback when asked about plans for a potentialVenom spin-off game, it does seem like such a concept is on the table. Though Insomniac Games did a fine job of making Venom work withMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s ESRB rating - even pushing the limits with a brutal Kraven kill - Carnage is a different beast entirely. Whether he simply hates Peter Parker, aims to become a lethal protector, or wants to spread the Symbiote as far as possible, Venom is always focused on a goal and does not roam around killing humans for fun. For Carnage, violence is everything, and depicting that without an M-rating would be tough to do.
Carnage made his first live action appearance in theVenomfilmLet There Be Carnage, and the response was mixed. While Woody Harrelson shined in the role, depicting a serial killer in a PG-13 setting proved difficult to do, and he ended up feeling less intimidating - something that could just as easily happen in a T-rated game.
To ensure players are not getting a watered down version of Carnage, saving him for an M-rated Venom spin-off would be the best move. Carnage has always been tied to Venom at the hip thanks to his origin, with the two butting heads on numerous occasions in the comics. If he was featured in anM-rated gameand not aMarvel’s Spider-Mantitle, the damage he inflicts on those around him could be shown instead of just being hinted at or mentioned in dialogue, something that would go a long way to making Carnage feel like the intimidating killer he needs to be.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
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.
