Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Reviewed on: PS5
Also available on: PS4
Release: 12th November 2020
Rating: M
Price: $79
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a 2020 action-adventure game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Miles Morales is a direct sequel to the 2018 Marvel’s Spider-Man and is available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This review will focus on the PlayStation 5 version and what sets it apart from both the original game, and the PlayStation 4 version.
!READER BEWARE! While I wont go into any story aspects in detail, this review could contain some very minor spoilers, specifically images of unlockable suits.
As a huge fan of Marvel’s Spider-Man, it was actually the first game I ever bothered to get the platinum trophy for, featuring many hours of gameplay, and a huge variety of activities it was truly one of the best games of the PlayStation 4 generation. So, as you can imagine when Miles Morales was announced to be coming to the PlayStation 5, I was pretty excited to say the least… But, how does Spider-Man: Miles Morales stack up to the original?
As the first game I played on my new next gen console, my focus was understandably on 2 things, graphics and performance…. I wanted to see how my PlayStation 5 fared when compared to my PS4. I was not disappointed, Spider-Man: Miles Morales looks absolutely gorgeous. The game gives you the option of 2 graphic modes. Fidelity and Performance. Fidelity mode is a 30fps mode with graphical features like ray tracing, enhanced lighting, and additional VFX. Featuring temporal techniques that provide an “extra-high-quality picture” from a 4K resolution base. Performance is a 60fps mode without graphical features like ray tracing, enhanced lighting, and additional VFX, and temporal techniques that provide a 4K picture from a lower-resolution base.
“The Beautiful Spider-Man”
I started on Fidelity mode and my word, what a visual masterpiece. From photo-realistic street views to a city skyline that extends for kilometers in full 4K detail. It's fair to say, I was immediately blown away. I spent a considerable amount of time just taking in the sights and in awe of the finer details that Insomniac Games have done a fantastic job of including in what is a fantastic way to show off what the PS5 is truly capable of.
After, admittedly spending far too long on fidelity mode I changed to performance and the game takes on a whole new identity. It still looks great, albeit not as great as fidelity mode, but my god it's smooth. Swinging around New York feels completely different and just completely flawless.
My personal preference between these 2 modes is the fidelity mode. I think it's just a better example of what the next gen consoles are capable of and really makes Spider-Man: Miles Morales almost completely photo-realistic. Either way though both modes show off exactly what we can expect to see more of on the next gen console.
Gameplay wise, Spider-Man: Miles Morales again impressed me, building off the original games already solid base, Insomniac have finely tuned and improved upon almost every aspect. The combat is fast paced, while never allowing the player to lose that sense of control over what is happening. There's a good range of side activities available to the player, ranging from helping people find a lost cat or a pigeons, to finding time capsules that you and your best friend hid around the city years previous.
“The Brilliant Spider-Man”
The story, which I won't talk about too much to avoid any spoilers, is brilliant. From unexpected twists and turns, to tear jerking moments throughout the game this story truly does have everything. The story is based around a truly complicated web of lies surrounding both Miles and his support cast, that unravels as the game goes on shedding new light on different characters and their connection to the ongoing problems within New York city.
That brings me to my only complaint about the game….. The length of the main story, including only 16 main story missions takes only around 6-8 hours to complete. Which, when compared to the original games 44 main missions and 26 DLC missions it really isn't a long main story. That being said, once the main story is complete there is still plenty to do around the city. Not to mention, the missions it does have are set in the most perfectly designed, stunning levels and feature some of the most engaging gameplay I've personally experienced.
Another feature of the game I spent way too long doing was of course photo-mode, in fact every image used in this article was captured using the in-game photo-mode. When a games looks as great as this one you cant simply play it without playing around with photo mode at least a little, at least, I know I can't and the photo-mode in this one was awesome. A feature packed mode that allows for some stunning shots of a truly stunning game and is the perfect cherry on top of what I believe to be the perfect pairing to a new console release. Featuring the ability to add lighting, frames, stickers, and filters you really are given all the tools to make some really cool shots.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales, is truly the mark of a new generation, featuring both graphics and performance previously unseen on console, this game is a must have for any PlayStation 5 owner and makes me very excited for what's to come on next gen consoles. While it is somewhat short, it's packed full of action, story and immersive gameplay.
I'd highly recommend you pick this one up.
For our review of the PS4 version of the game that goes into more detail surrounding the story and characters please click this link....
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