REVIEW: Marvels Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS5)

A Worthy Successor or Just an Extended DLC?

Released: 2020
Played on: PS5
Also available on: PS4
Time to get into: 5 Minutes
Time to complete: ~18 Hours
Multiplayer: No

Marvels Spider-Man: Miles Morales is more than just an expansion but not quite a full sequel to 2018’s Marvels Spider-Man. While it may not reach the same heights as the original, it delivers a fantastic and unique experience that stands on its own. The game retains everything that made Spider-Man great while introducing new mechanics, a fresh narrative perspective, and a distinct atmosphere that sets it apart.

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Graphics and Performance on PS5

One of the biggest questions is: How does the game perform on PlayStation 5?

Visually, the game looks fantastic, but since it’s an intergenerational title, it doesn’t quite feel like a true next-gen showcase. It offers two performance modes:

• Fidelity Mode – Enables ray tracing and higher graphical details, particularly improving reflections and lighting.
• Performance Mode – Prioritizes a smooth 60 FPS experience for fluid gameplay.

Both modes have their advantages, and switching between them is near-instant, allowing players to choose based on their preference. While a true next-gen Spider-Man game could push the PS5 even further, Miles Morales still makes excellent use of the hardware.

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Story – Short but Engaging

The game follows Miles Morales as he steps into the role of New York’s only Spider-Man for a time, with his internal monologue often reflecting his inexperience: “Please don’t screw this up!” Unlike Peter Parker, who had years of experience in the previous game, Miles is just beginning his journey.

His story is personal, emotional, and full of unexpected twists, but it’s notably shorter than the first game. Side missions, delivered through an in-game mobile app developed by Miles’ friend Ganke, help extend the experience, but the overall campaign might leave players wanting more.

The game also removes certain mission variety seen in the original, such as investigative segments with Mary Jane or Peter’s scientific puzzles. While the focus on Miles is understandable, it makes the experience feel more streamlined and slightly less diverse.

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Gameplay – The Best Part of the Experience

Swinging through New York has never felt better. The traversal mechanics remain one of the game’s biggest highlights, and the added acrobatic tricks and Venom powers make movement even more fun. It’s so enjoyable that fast travel often feels unnecessary—I preferred to swing across the city, soaking in the winter atmosphere.

Combat also receives a fresh twist with Miles’ bio-electric Venom powers, giving players new options in battles. While Miles is slightly weaker in terms of physical attacks compared to Peter, his Venom abilities add a strategic layer to fights.

However, one new mechanic—camouflage—doesn’t quite work as intended. In larger fights, it allows you to disappear, hide, and pick off enemies one by one, which makes some battles feel easier than they should be.

The PS5’s adaptive triggers are also underutilized. While there’s a slight resistance at the end of pressing L2, it’s barely noticeable, making it feel like a missed opportunity.

What Works Well?

✅ A fresh story with a new perspective – Miles’ inexperience makes for an engaging narrative.
✅ Venom powers add new depth to combat – Bio-electricity offers exciting new attack options.
✅ Swinging through the city remains a blast – Movement is fluid, stylish, and incredibly satisfying.
✅ The city feels alive – Manhattan looks gorgeous and remains a joy to explore.
✅ Side missions are well-integrated – The in-game mobile app fits naturally with Miles’ character.
✅ A distinct atmosphere – The game’s winter setting, darker tone, and hip-hop-influenced soundtrack give it a unique identity.

What Could Be Better?

❌ Camouflage can make fights too easy – It reduces the challenge of large battles.
❌ Less mission variety compared to the first game – No investigative segments like in the original.
❌ A few technical issues – Some glitches, like missing character models and getting stuck in objects.
❌ Shorter length – Feels more like a highly polished expansion than a full-length game.

Final Verdict – Buy, Wait, or Skip?

✔ Buy if you loved the first Spider-Man game and want more, or if you’re looking for a great superhero experience on PS5.
✔ Buy if you own a PS4 and don’t mind missing out on next-gen enhancements—the core gameplay remains excellent.
➖ Wait if you’re expecting a long, deep game—it’s a great experience, but it feels like an extended DLC rather than a true sequel.
❌ Skip if you’re thinking about buying a PS5 just for this game—it’s not enough of a leap to justify a new console purchase.

Despite minor shortcomings, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a fantastic action-adventure game that every PlayStation owner should consider playing. Even though it’s not a full sequel, Miles doesn’t screw this up!

FAQs – Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS5 & PS4)

What platforms is Spider-Man: Miles Morales available on?

The game is available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. If you buy the PS4 version digitally, you can upgrade to the PS5 version for free.

Is this a full sequel or just a DLC?

Miles Morales is more than an expansion but not quite a full sequel to 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man. It offers a standalone experience with a new story, but it’s shorter and less expansive than the first game.

How long does it take to complete the game?

The main story takes about 10 hours, and completing all side missions and extras can bring the total playtime to around 18 hours.

How does the game perform on PS5 vs. PS4?

On PS5, the game offers:

• Fidelity Mode (higher graphics, ray tracing, 30 FPS)
• Performance Mode (smooth 60 FPS gameplay)
  While the PS4 version still looks great, it lacks the enhanced visuals and faster loading times of the PS5.

Is the story connected to the first Spider-Man game?

Yes, but you don’t need to play the first game to enjoy it. Miles Morales follows up on events from Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018), but it introduces new characters and a standalone story.

What new abilities does Miles have compared to Peter Parker?

Miles has unique Venom powers (bio-electric attacks) and camouflage (temporary invisibility), giving him new combat and stealth options.

Is the game open-world?

Yes, just like its predecessor, Miles Morales features an open-world New York City, where you can swing between buildings, complete side missions, and fight crime.

How does swinging feel in the game?

Swinging through the city is one of the best parts of the game! Miles has unique animations, tricks, and Venom-powered boosts that make traversal even more dynamic and fun.

Are there side missions and collectibles?

Yes! Side missions are accessed through an in-game mobile app, and there are plenty of collectibles, including suits, time capsules, and audio logs, to extend gameplay.

Does the game have multiplayer?

No, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a single-player experience.

11. Are there any technical issues?

Some players have experienced occasional glitches, such as character models disappearing or getting stuck in objects, but they are rare and do not ruin the gameplay.

12. Does the game use PS5’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback?

The adaptive triggers are underutilized, with only a slight resistance when web-swinging. Haptic feedback is present but not as immersive as other PS5 titles.

13. Is the game worth buying?

✔ Yes, if you loved the first Spider-Man game and want more.
✔ Yes, if you own a PS5 and want a great superhero experience.
➖ Maybe wait, if you expect a long, deep game—it’s more like an extended DLC.
❌ No, if you’re considering buying a PS5 just for this game—it’s not a major next-gen leap.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Study Guide

Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

• How does Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales differ from the 2018 Marvel’s Spider-Man game in terms of narrative focus?
• Describe the two graphics/performance modes available on the PS5 version of the game.
• How does Miles Morales’ combat style differ from Peter Parker’s, according to the review?
• What is the purpose of the in-game mobile app, and how does it fit into the narrative?
• What are the primary benefits and drawbacks of Miles’ camouflage ability?
• What are some elements of the game that give it a “distinct atmosphere”?
• What types of missions from the first game are missing in Miles Morales, according to the reviewer?
• According to the reviewer, why might a player choose to “wait” before buying the game?
• Name three ways in which Miles’ traversal abilities differ from those of the original Spider-Man.
• What is the final verdict on whether or not you should buy Miles Morales if you are considering buying a PS5 just for that reason?

Answer Key

• The game focuses on Miles Morales as the sole Spider-Man in New York, unlike the first game which centered on Peter Parker’s established experience. The narrative follows Miles’ personal journey as he learns to navigate his new responsibilities, reflecting his inexperience through internal monologues.
• The PS5 version offers “Fidelity Mode,” which enables ray tracing and higher graphical detail at 30 FPS, and “Performance Mode,” which prioritizes a smooth 60 FPS experience for fluid gameplay. Players can switch between modes based on preference.
• Miles is described as slightly weaker than Peter in terms of physical attacks but has unique bio-electric Venom powers that add a strategic layer to combat. These Venom powers allow players to use new attacks and tactics.
• The in-game mobile app, developed by Miles’ friend Ganke, is used to deliver side missions. This fits naturally into the narrative as it is a tool that Miles, a teenager, would use for community engagement.
• The camouflage ability allows Miles to disappear, hide, and pick off enemies one by one, which makes some battles easier than they should be, effectively reducing the challenge of large fights.
• The game’s distinct atmosphere is created by its winter setting, a darker tone, and a hip-hop-influenced soundtrack, setting it apart from the original game. These elements contribute to the game’s unique identity and mood.
• The reviewer notes that Miles Morales does not include investigative segments featuring Mary Jane or scientific puzzles, which were present in the original game. This reduction in mission variety makes the experience feel more streamlined.
• The reviewer suggests waiting to buy Miles Morales if you are expecting a longer and deeper experience. The game feels more like an extended DLC than a full sequel, as it is notably shorter than the original game.
• Miles has unique animations, acrobatic tricks, and Venom-powered boosts that enhance his movement and make it more dynamic compared to Peter’s traversal. These additions also make swinging through the city even more fun.
• The reviewer recommends that you not buy Miles Morales if you are thinking of buying a PS5 simply to play it. While the game is great, it is not a sufficient “next-gen” leap to justify buying a new console.

Essay Questions

• Compare and contrast the gameplay mechanics of Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. How do the changes affect the overall player experience?
• Discuss the narrative significance of Miles Morales as a protagonist, considering themes of identity, responsibility, and legacy, and how these themes might be different from those in the first game.
• Analyse the impact of the PS5’s hardware capabilities on the gameplay experience in Miles Morales, focusing on graphical fidelity and the implementation of adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.
• Evaluate the reviewer’s overall assessment of Miles Morales, including their critiques and praise of the game. Does the reviewer’s conclusion about the “buy, wait, or skip” recommendation align with your interpretation of the text?
• Discuss how the game’s unique atmosphere, including the winter setting, darker tone, and hip-hop soundtrack, contribute to its overall identity and player engagement.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Bio-electric Venom Powers: Unique abilities of Miles Morales that involve using bio-electricity in combat, allowing for new attack strategies.
• Camouflage: A temporary invisibility mechanic used by Miles Morales, allowing him to become unseen and strike stealthily, potentially reducing combat challenge.
• Fidelity Mode: A graphics mode on PS5 that prioritizes higher graphical details and ray tracing but runs at a lower frame rate (30 FPS).
• Performance Mode: A graphics mode on PS5 that prioritizes a smooth 60 FPS gameplay experience, sacrificing some graphical fidelity.
• Adaptive Triggers: A feature of the PS5 controller that provides resistance based on in-game actions, enhancing immersion.
• Intergenerational Title: A video game that is released on multiple console generations (e.g. both PS4 and PS5), often resulting in versions with varied features based on the console’s capabilities.
• Ray Tracing: A rendering technique that simulates realistic lighting and reflections by tracing the path of light rays.
• Open-World: A game design where the player can freely explore a large, interconnected game world.
• DLC (Downloadable Content): Additional content for a video game that can be purchased and downloaded separately from the main game.
• Haptic Feedback: Vibration and tactile feedback provided by a gaming controller, increasing player immersion.