Nearly 100 years after Langston Hughes wrote his groundbreaking poem, “Weary Blues,” “He was lazy . . . He had a lazy sway.” . . graces my screen as I stroll through Harlem’s Cultural Center.

I explore the virtual space as Miles Morales, his co-star in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. His presence elevates Insomniac’s latest title to an artistic level beyond Hughes’s “It’s.” It’s about web-swinging and fisticuffs, sure, but it’s also about sacrifice and redemption, and every mile of beautifully textured New York City is brimming with human stories that redefine the meaning of heroism.

With great power…

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was released exclusively for the PlayStation 5 and is a sequel to two previous titles: one is the famous origin story of Peter Parker, and the other is the work of Miles Morales. Debuting in the main game.

In the 2018 PlayStation 4 game, Peter battled members of the Sinister Six while overcoming his relationship with Mary Jane. The story culminated with the death of Aunt May at the hands of Otto Octavianus. Miles Morales lost his father in the events of that game, but later starred in a smaller sequel title in which he saves the city from the corrupt tech company Roxxon Energy.

In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, players can switch between both heroes at the touch of a button. While Miles has his hands full with college applications, Peter is trying to land a new teaching job at Miles’ high school. Watch as they band together to protect their city and overcome their intersecting civilian lives.

There are plenty of personal moments in this story, and nowhere is that more evident than in a side mission in which Miles helps his mother, Rio Morales, open a community center in Harlem to preserve the works of real-life authors. musicians and artists – in a media experience that doubles as a history lesson and a showcase for great performances.

As with many of the game’s quests, the central premise will change your perception of the superhero’s job. After salvaging stolen items for the museum, Miles remembers his late father through his connection to jazz. “My dad really loved Charlie Parker. I guess I’ll have to start listening to my playlist more now,” he muses. These thoughtful moments flesh out not only the game’s excellent side content, but its larger plot as well.

The Bad and Not-so-bad guys

The game begins with a battle against an oversized Marco Flint known as the Sandman, towering over Midtown. They switch between Miles and Peter to hunt him down, blowing up an entire city block in a blind rage.

But after defeating him, Miles and Peter discover that Marco is haunted by memories of his daughter. They must literally piece together memories scattered across the city’s alleys and skyscrapers. Each piece reconstructs Marco’s humanity, while audio clips explain the pain he’s endured over the years.

Meanwhile, Kraven, the nemesis from the classic series, brings his mercenaries to the city to search for his previously captured villains (like Scorpion and Vulture) as worthy prey for his boss, the world’s greatest hunter. Peter and Miles must thwart Kraven’s plans while trying to help their former enemy find salvation.

Another notorious villain, Tombstone has traded in his leather jacket for a Coney Island carny uniform (and yes, the rides are incredibly fun). Much later in the game, Peter (and a fully buffed Harry Osborn) free Tombstone from Kraven’s clutches.

But among this extensive rogues gallery, Venom is the best of the bunch, hitting every emotional note that plays out in the rest of the game. Spider-Man 2 hints at the imminent threat he represents in dozens of the 31 main story missions. Luckily, when you finally face him, you’ll have access to vastly improved gadgets and powers.

Suiting up

As well as the well-thought-out missions and characters, the game’s movement system takes the best from the past two Spider-Man games and expands on it tenfold. Peter and Miles both retain their unique ways of swinging and flipping around the city, complete with a wardrobe of collectible suits that sent this reviewer into the game’s photo mode for hours.

It’s the new web wings, though, that really make the game shine. Press Triangle any time you’re in the air to take off, then use the webbed feet stretched between your arms for extra momentum. With new launch points added on rooftops and wind tunnels around the city, flying is all the rage.

And there’s the big symbiote in the room. Derived from the same force that created Venom, this black suit is a Spider-fan’s dream come true. After the lifeform is captured by Peter, Peter’s new suit is packed with the alien’s immense strength and ferocity.

The suit expands your diverse arsenal and enhances your moves with new “Symbiote Boosts.” As you defeat bad guys and use abilities such as Peter’s new Venom Strike, a meter fills up, which seems to be a homage to Venom’s special move from the arcade classic Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

When the meter finally fills up, players are thrown into a giant haystack and a bout of powerful uppercuts that see the symbiote burst from Peter’s body and thrust into the enemy’s face.

With exciting action gameplay and a deep story, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 builds on the success of its predecessor by somehow making New York big enough for the two web-slingers who live there, while also transforming villains from worn-out clichés into complex characters, making the people we save and those who save us unforgettably human. This is without a doubt the best Spider-Man game I’ve ever played, and a strong contender for the title of best game of a great release year.