Summary
Like nearly any superhero story, the protagonist may battle one or several more enemies throughout but everything culminates in a final climactic encounter against a primary antagonist. Insomniac’sMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchise has followed this tradition to the letter with villains Doctor Octopus, Tinkerer, and Venom as its lead antagonists in each of the installments they appeared in, and they all earned that role because of an emotional tether they had to the game’s leading Spider-Men.
The same will almost assuredly be true of whoever leadsMarvel’s Spider-Man 3as an antagonist now, too.Marvel’s Spider-Manhas never shied away from its narrative transparency and instead allowed the heartstrings it tugs at to do the work; however, this may not be so simple in the third mainline entry. It seems fairly obvious that Norman Osborn is becoming Green Goblin inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3as it was obvious that Harry Osborn would become Venom inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2. Moreover, if all trends in the series persist, it seems clear that whoever the lead antagonist is will come to know Spider-Man’s true identity.
Spider-Man’s True Identity is Always in Jeopardy in Marvel’s Spider-Man
Peter Parker has his face exposed and then his mask removed entirely duringMarvel’s Spider-Man’s final boss fight against Doctor Octopus. Even if his face was fully concealed for the whole fight, though, there’s been a trend established that Insomniac is unlikely to deviate from inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3: the main antagonist always knows Spider-Man’s true identity, even if they only recently learned who he was earlier in that same game. This is as true of Otto Octavius as it is for Harry and also applies to Phin Mason, with whom Miles Morales shares his identity.
This vulnerability indeed creates more of an emotional resonance between the characters, particularly if they know each other’s identities and share a relationship outside of their costumed encounters.
But it’s also backed Insomniac into a corner narratively since there isn’t likely to be a final villain who doesn’t already know or eventually learn thatPeter or Miles is Spider-Man. That shouldn’t mean a story is inherently underwhelming if a main villain doesn’t know who Spider-Man truly is and yet it would be odd if Insomniac broke its own tradition now unless it has an impactful reason why.
Green Goblin is Sure to Know Peter Parker is Spider-Man in Marvel’s Spider-Man 3
Green Goblin might not be the onlystory-related villain inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3, even if his consecutive teases in the franchise have unsubtly determined he’ll be the third game’s lead antagonist. If Harry becomes the Green Goblin inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3he’ll already know Peter and Miles’ secret, but if Norman does instead he’ll have to learn their identities at some point in order for this pattern to continue.
It’s still possible that Harry could become the Green Goblin even if that means Insomniac would be doubling down on Harry as a villain in back-to-back games, thoughNorman’s grief probably signifies that he himself will take the G-Serumfor whatever reason. No matter who the main villain is, whether it’s Norman, Harry, Otto, or someone unexpected, they are almost guaranteed to know Spider-Man’s true identity by the time they have their final fight at the end of the game.
This also ensures that they would be someone Peter or Miles knows intimately, meaning that no final villain reveal will ever land as surprisingly as Doctor Octopus’ did. Otto Octavius wasn’t revealed to be inMarvel’s Spider-Manuntil it launched, and unfortunately that may be the last and only time Insomniac will be able to spring a villain reveal on players in the same capacity now that manyloose threads need to be acknowledged inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3.
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.
