Summary
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2is poised to have a truly spectacular cast of characters. Not only will it feature two leading Spider-Men and important characters from their personal lives like Mary Jane Watson and Rio Morales, but some new additions are set to shake up the series’ ongoing story. Harry Osborn is set to re-enter his best friend’s life, and with many expecting him to be the host of Venom, Peter could be in for an emotional battle. In addition,Kraven the Hunteris going to be tracking down the heroes. However, it is Martin Li who could have the biggest impact of all.
Otherwise known as Mr. Negative, Martin Li coming back into play is a bit of a surprise, as Insomniac Games already has a lot of pieces in play with its sequel. However, when thinking about just how much Mr. Negative can bring to the story ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, his return makes perfect sense. Not only will he be able to provide an emotional hook for Miles that is comparable to the one for Peter Parker, but he could be integral to defeating Venom and setting up a future spin-off game.
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Mr. Negative Can Give Miles Closure and Stop Venom in His Tracks
InMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s story trailer, Li is shown briefly, sporting a beard, long hair, and looking disheveled - likely a result of guilt from what he did while he was transformed. Given how heinous his crimes were, and how Mr. Negative caused the death of fellow FEAST worker Aunt May, it is easy to forget that Li was a good person. Li himself could be wrestling with whether he is still a good man after everything that happened, just like those playing the game.
None will struggle more to come to terms with the differences between Li and Negative than Miles Morales, who lost his father due to Negative’s attacks on New York City. Part of the reasonMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s story has been hyped up as being especially dark could have something to do with Miles’ confrontation with Li. While theSymbiotewill surely push Peter to be more violent and aggressive, Miles could also consider killing Li to avenge his father before talking himself out of it, learning an important lesson about what it means to be Spider-Man in the process.
With Insomniac taking the time to show Martin Li in the trailer, he will surely have a big role, and that may extend beyond a test of Miles’ morality.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2could be an exploration of Martin Li’s redemption, as he could be the key to defeating Venom. If the old bell tower trick and the usage of sound are not enough to eliminate the Symbiote, and Venom pushesMiles and Peterto their limit, then using Negative to alter the makeup of the alien parasite could be a perfect solution to the problem. For once, Negative could use his abilities for good, making up for some of the damage he caused.
While Mr. Negative was not shown using his abilities in the sequel’s latest trailer, it can be assumed that he will still be able to use them to some extent, even if he never wants to do so again. Just like in the comics, an interaction between Negative and the Symbiote could result in the latter being altered. Instead of creating a dark side like his corruption does for regular human beings, Negative could purify Venom and createAnti-Venom.
Fans have pushed for a playable Venom for some time, and to achieve that in a T for Teen setting, going the Anti-Venom route makes perfect sense. Alongside Agent Venom, Anti-Venom is one of the best ways to transform the character from a hateful monster and into a Lethal Protector. Not only is it easier to justify a playable Venom when he isn’t a complete monster, but Anti-Venom has hardly been used in a video game setting, with onlySpider-Man: Edge of Timeproviding a look at the altered version of the Symbiote. Not only would Anti-Venom be a way to keep Peter’s Symbiote powers around after the story, and a route to make Venom playable in a game that lacks a mature rating, but Anti-Venom’s intriguing story could be perfect for a spin-off likeSpider-Man: Miles Morales.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2launches on October 20 exclusively for PS5.
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