Who could forget the olden days of Spider-Man 2 on the PlayStation 2? The physics for web-slinging were realistic for its time. The webs would realistically wrap around buildings. If you clung on too long, there was no automatic release. It was a more advanced and challenging experience, but executing daring maneuvers was incredibly rewarding.
Fast forward to 2023, and it seems Insomniac Games is taking a page out of that playbook for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
YouTuber Blitzwinger has highlighted a new feature in the upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive that’s causing quite the stir in the gaming community: fall damage. Yes, you read that right. Peter Parker and Miles Morales, while swinging through the skyscrapers of New York City, can now suffer from fall damage. But before you get your Spidey suits in a twist, this feature is optional. Players can toggle it on or off as they see fit.
The introduction of fall damage is a nod to the fans who crave for a more immersive and challenging web-swinging experience. Doug Sheahan, Senior Programming Director at Insomniac Games, mentioned in a statement to IGN that the feature was added in response to players wanting to customize their gameplay experience.
He stated, “Something we’re seeing more and more of is that players like to be able to customize their experience. For those players, we added the ability to enable fall damage (fall damage defaults to Off) and even let people tweak how swinging feels with our Swing Steering Assist setting. We hope players who enjoy a deep dive into the details have fun experimenting.”
While this might seem like a new addition to some, long-time fans of the web-slinger might recall that fall damage was a thing in previous Spider-Man titles, including the 2004 game. The risk of plummeting from great heights added an element of danger and excitement to the gameplay. It made every swing and every leap a calculated risk, and now, with the option to toggle it on, players can relive that thrill.
However, it’s not just about the fall damage. Insomniac Games is also introducing a ‘Swing Steering Assist’ setting, which could potentially make web-swinging more intuitive for players. The exact mechanics of this feature remain a bit of a mystery, but it’s speculated to help players navigate the city’s corners more smoothly.
The decision to introduce fall damage has sparked a range of reactions from fans. Some appreciate the added layer of realism, while others feel it might disrupt the fluidity of the game. But let’s be honest, with the introduction of Venom and the Symbiote Suit, along with the new gliding mechanic, plummeting to the ground might be a rare occurrence. Unless, of course, you’re in it just for kicks.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is set to release on October 20, and as you swing through the skyscrapers of New York City, don’t forget the wise words of Uncle Ben: “With great power comes great responsibility.” In this case, the responsibility of not plummeting to the ground!
