Warning: Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.While they are still somewhat divisive, it is clear that Insomniac Games heard the criticism about the MJ missions in the original game and aimed to improve them inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2. Following some training with Silver Sable, Mary Jane Watson is now a capable fighter, and she uses a pistol to tase anyone she comes across on the way to achieving her goals. Being able to knock out enemies makesMJ’s stealth sectionsmore enjoyable, even if they are still many fans’ least favorite segments of the games, though it is the final MJ scenario that is the most appealing. It also feels like setup for an even more enjoyable spin-off.
In the lead-up to the final battle between Venom and the Spider-Men, there is one more Mary Jane sequence players have to get through, though it does not offer the stealth gameplay they are used to by this point. Instead, gamers experience what is essentially a third-person shooter, with MJ using a modified Sable blaster to fire sonic blasts at Symbiotes. This makes for what is undoubtedly the most enjoyable MJ mission of all, with surprisingly smooth gunplay and a few ranged fights where players have to utilize cover. With how fun thisMarvel’s Spider-Man 2sequence is, it is hard not to think about how great an Agent Venom game could be.
Why an Insomniac Agent Venom Game Would Work Well
Insomniac Has a Lot of Experience With Gunplay
Obviously, there is no evidence that an Agent Venom game is in development, and the suggestion that one could happen is purely speculation. After all, Insomniac Games is no stranger to crafting fun one-off gameplay mechanics that are never seen again after their initial appearance. TheConey Island rides inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2and the rhythm game Miles plays in the first Mysterium are just some examples of this, and perhaps MJ’s final mission is another. However, this sequence could just as easily be Insomniac Games testing the waters for a full third-person Marvel shooter.
The gunplay feeling so good despite this section being so short is a testament to the talent of Insomniac, and it would surely feel even better in a seperate game with fleshed out mechanics. After all, Insomniac has delivered some immensely satisfyingguns in theRatchet and Clankfranchise,Sunset Overdrive, and theResistancegames, so using that experience for a third-person shooter set in the Marvel universe could lead to combat that feels even better than what was seen in MJ’s last level. And while a Marvel third-person shooter may sound like something that would suit a character like Punisher better than someone from the Spider-Man mythos, there is one character that would be a perfect contender for such a game: Agent Venom.
Why Agent Venom Could Be a Good Route for Insomniac to Take
While many fans may be more familiar with the monstrous version of Venom seen on the big screen and inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, there have been several takes on the character. Anti-Venom is one example, which was already seen in thevideo gameSpider-Man: Edge of Timeand feels like someone that could still show up in Insomniac’s universe, while Agent Venom is another. Essentially a militarized version of Venom that wields guns and uses a “tamed” version of the Symbiote that is taken off regularly so that the wearer does not transform its user into a monster, Agent Venom has fought in wars and visited outer space to team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Flash Thompson, the man most associated with the Agent Venom persona, is mentioned briefly inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, with the character being Peter’s former bully like in the comics. Insomniac could present a story with its own Agent Venom that is very similar to comics, with Flash changing as a person and entering the military, only to embrace the symbiote after losing his leg while at war. Alternatively,Harry Osborncould become Agent Venom after the events of the next game, trying to make up for what he did in the most recent title. After all, like with Peter, a piece of the Symbiote is likely still inside him.
Harry Osborn’s initial superhero outfit that he wears when teaming up with Peter has a heavy resemblance to the Agent Venom armor worn by Flash Thompson in the comics, which could just be a fun nod to the story or a hint at what’s to come.
Insomniac Games has teased a potential Venom spin-off game, and it feels like Agent Venom could be the right route to take. Not only has the studio shown a love for modern comics by using characters like Mister Negative andteasing Silk, but Agent Venom could be ideal for the purposes of storytelling and gameplay balancing. From a narrative perspective, seeing a character fear a transformation into the proper, monstrous Venom could be interesting, and watching them grapple with what happens when they do transform could be impactful. In terms of gameplay, as fun as the playable Venom sequence was inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, being that overpowered for an entire game would not work. Having players manage the transformations into Venom could be a way to balance things out and maintain some degree of difficulty. With the final MJ section under its belt, Insomniac has proven that it could deliver extremely fun gunplay for players to enjoy between the bursts of proper Venom action.
