Already present in the 2018 episode, Miles Morales was not, however, the most memorable character in the game. Confined to frankly dispensable infiltration sequences, Peter Parker's protege took the lead in 2020 since it is he is responsible for becoming the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. But what bad happened to Peter Parker to make him abandon the Spider-Man costume? Nothing in real life, rest assured. Much like in the MCU film Far From Home, Peter needs to clear his head and have a good time with Mary-Jane who has to leave New York to pursue a professional internship. Miles may be fresh out of express superhero training, but he's a quick learner and most importantly, he's developing abilities at breakneck speeds that prove he has far more potential than friend Parker. It is therefore with a certain serenity that our superhero lets his Padawan manage the worries of the city of New York, with all the responsibilities that implies. If the first Marvel's Spider-Man had managed to create a surprise with an original scenario that moved away from films and comics to create its own universe, this stand-alone is struggling to stand out with its story that plays more on continuity. , without ever daring to take any risks. Probably because this is a simple extension and the Insomnic Games studio is keeping its best cartridges for a real sequel where the stakes will be much higher.
In the meantime, we must therefore be content with a guerrilla war between two factions: on the one hand a company specializing in energy, and on the other an army of criminals determined to get their hands on this technology developed in laboratories. secured. Everything takes place during the Christmas holidays in a New York which has already put on its best clothes for the end of the year celebrations. By choosing this context and this very special period, the developers of Insomniac Games create a certain novelty (Christmas, snow, its illuminations, its festive atmosphere, etc.), while ensuring to impress with the use of Ray-Tracing, a new techno that is seen as next gen' novelties with creative studios. And it is true that the first hours of flying between the buildings of New York on PS5 captivate us. The visual quality is obviously more impressive than the 2018 game on PS4, but nothing to knock you down either. Afterwards, in the defense of Insomanic Games, this is an extension built on the foundations of the original game with a few more effects here and there.
88 MPH!
Precisely, in this regard, the game offers two modes to enjoy this adventure led by Miles Morales: Graphics and Performance. By choosing the “Graphics” mode, we prefer to take full view with a 4K resolution and the possibility of enjoying Ray-Tracing and therefore to bring more realism and dynamism to the visual effects. Only problem, the game is blocked at 30 frames per second, which is not a drama in itself, since the title does not flinch and remains stable whatever the circumstances. Those who prefer a more fluid experience can opt for the "Performance" mode, which allows you to enjoy a rendering in 60fps but with a resolution blocked at 1080p and without the possibility of using Ray-Tracing. Very sincerely, it is complicated to suggest a particular mode, the choice being made according to your affinities. On the other hand, what is quite sad is that on PS5, it is not possible to have 4K 60fps with Ray Tracing in addition. One wonders if the machine is not already overtaken by events... But the disappointments do not stop there, since Spider-Man Miles Morales does not benefit from the new techno offered by the DualSense. Neither haptic vibrations nor adaptive triggers are put to good use in the game, although there was plenty to do, including offering some resistance with the triggers as Spider-Man swings from web to web. This is the kind of news that we would have liked to see germinate from the developers, who can however make up for it by offering an update afterwards. For now, at the time of the test embargo, it's a bit of a disappointment.
Fortunately, to smile again, we can count on the staging of the game which has clearly step-up since 2018. The camera, even if it remains very far from the character so that the action remains very legible, does not hesitate to get closer to our character during certain sequences to bring dynamism. This is the case during fights, but also during certain aerobatic sequences. But it's the transitions between gameplay and cinematics that have been masterfully managed, since the game really gives the feeling of never stopping. It is all the more appreciable that Miles Morales benefits from a palette of movements much funkier than that of Peter Parker. Our new Spidey indeed has an incredible flow, both in his stature and during his movements. Miles plays with gravity, dances with the void and gives us the feeling of being in perpetual tempo with the soundtrack. The pleasure is total, even if we admit that in terms of humor, Peter Parker turns out to be much more incisive than his pupil who still lacks a little charisma once the mask has fallen. By the way, a quick word on Parker's new facies who changed face-model for so-called technical reasons, which we obviously don't believe for a moment. It is obviously that the Insomniac Games studio has opted for a new model who looks more like Tom Holland to be the most fitting with the cinema and what the MCU offers. The bad buzz generated by Square Enix's Marvel's Avengers and its low-cost superheroes has undoubtedly left its mark.
DEJA-VU, DEJA-JOUÉ BUT...
For the rest, we navigate on familiar ground. New York, despite its new Christmas garb, hasn't changed. We recognize every corner and the feeling of déjà-vu and déjà-jou emerges from the first hour of play, once the discovery of Miles Morales has passed. It's not a drama in itself, especially since it was announced and expected, but 2018's Spider-Man is still so fresh in your head that it just feels like play the same game with a Christmas skin and a new character in addition, despite his new powers. The progression is done in the same way, we must also go through the tutorial boxes well relou, not to mention the missions which have not evolved either. Admittedly, in terms of lifespan, there is something fun (ten hours to finish the adventure, fifteen if you want to platinum the game), but we deplore a fairly glaring lack of new features. For example, we would have liked to have to deal with new villains, with higher stakes, rather than this quarrel of militias which could have acted as a side quest. Of course, we are convinced that the developers are saving us the best for a second real number, but to enter the next gen 'full foot, Insomniac Games could have given a little more biscuit. We groan, we groan, but still, the pleasure of finding New York and the unique aerobatic sensations are there, so that we still manage to hang on and overcome this new little adventure. Miles Morales has potential, that's obvious, but in reality, it's Peter Parker that we want to see grow up in video games.
