Spider-Man fans, specifically those living in European countries such as Malta and the Netherlands, appear to be facing a peculiar issue with the installation of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Several users have taken to Reddit and RestEra to report having problems installing the game using the physical disc it comes shipped with. The prevalent issue seems to be the consistent stalling of the game’s installation at 36%.
Plenty have attempted to solve this issue by turning off their internet connection, cleaning the disc, and even doing a factory reset. Others have given up, asking for refunds or a digital code instead. Surprisingly, the installation stops at the exact same point. Swapping the game for a brand new disc also doesn’t offer any resolution. This has led to speculations that the issue is inherent to the physical release itself.
Insomniac Games, the developer behind Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, hasn’t publicly addressed the issue. However, they did provide a link to tech support for fans facing problems with the game. This might indicate their awareness of the prevalent concerns.
Interestingly, three days before the game’s release, Insomniac Games had indicated that players who opted for the disc version wouldn’t need a Day 1 patch. However, the studio is recommending a launch day patch (1.001.002) download to ensure a polished game opening. Could this patch or the lack of it be intertwined with the current installation issues? The connection remains unconfirmed.
With reports of this installation bug emerging mainly from physical copies, many fear this is a manufacturing flaw. If true, this could result in possibly hundreds of thousands of problematic batches. Fixing it might prove challenging. The developer might need to provide new copies, a logistical challenge that could incur substantial unnecessary costs and dent the game’s reputation further.
Further compounding the situation is the lack of official communication. This has left many buyers in the dark, unsure whether to seek refunds or wait for a potential fix. Bol.com, for instance, has already started processing refunds for affected users, signifying the gravity of the situation.
Away from the installation woes, the game has a mix of accolades and critiques. While the storyline offers an average of 15 hours of gameplay for the main story missions and 40 hours for a comprehensive playthrough when including side missions and collectables, some feel the gameplay duration doesn’t justify its price point. Especially when compared to games like Baldur’s Gate 3, which offers significantly more hours of gameplay. Nonetheless, the game continues to receive praise from critics, solidifying its position as one of Insomniac’s highest-rated games to date.
While Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 promises a rich gameplay experience, the current installation issues with physical discs is a serious problem. It might not be enough to overshadow its launch, especially with Sony throwing money behind its marketing but it could leave a sour taste and leave fans feeling disappointed.
Interestingly enough, the issues with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s physical launch comes just as the larger gaming industry undergoes a massive digital shift. Many games, including Baldur’s Gate 3, this year’s GOTY frontrunner, and Alan Wake 2, have decided to skip physical releases to cut costs and, likely, to prevent similar problems.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is currently available on the PlayStation 5. Given its ending and a small part of the game where a certain Symbiote becomes playable, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is likely to get a full-on sequel and at least one standalone spin-off.
