Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS4)

This is a review of the PS4 version run on a PS5. This version of the game includes a physical PS4 disc and a digital PS5 version. I plan to transfer my PS4 save to the PS5 version and pop every trophy for double Platinum. This is not possible to do the other way round (PS5 to PS4 version).The game is superb and runs almost flawlessly on the PS4. Spider-man Miles Morales set a year after the events of Spider-man PS4 (Remastered on PS5), where Miles Morales is getting to grips with his powers, a certain major event in Spider-man PS4, and Peter is on holiday in Europe with MJ, leaving New York City without any experienced defence against criminals and bad guys. It's upto Miles to take up the Spider-man mantle and defend the city.You start off with Peter to take down a rampaging Rhino through malls and a massive chase through the city, where eventually it leads to Roxxon headquarters and the main story begins. As you progress through the game, the people of Harlem and New York City see a different superhero with similar abilities to Peter Parker and start questioning whether they are the next big thing. After another major event (as seen at E3 and Comiccon close to the game's release) they realise the real problems are between Roxxon and the Underground, a group of resistance fighters who are against Roxxon's energy activity, and also have massive resources themselves.The game has a range of main bad guys with conflicts of interest and relationships to Spider-man and they are superbly and intricately fleshed out. I'm not going to go into spoilers but the only real complaint I have with the story is the main bad guy representing Roxxon, Simon Krieger, has not been fleshed out enough as a real threat and is just a generic rich corporate boss who pays others to do the dirty work.Like Spider-man PS4, this game is incredibly easy to pick up and play. You have all of the basic moves from Spider-man PS4, but what makes Miles different to Peter are his new abilities. Miles goes through an accident during the first mission and obtains new "Venom" powers (no relation to the character Venom), they become almost an essential resource to your gameplay. As you go through the game and obtaining new abilities and new ways of gameplay, you become engrossed with the development of Miles as a Spider-man. There is another ability you obtain later in the game which brilliantly expands on this but I'm not going to spoil it here.There are new skill trees in the game, and they are unlockable in the three categories combat, traversal and stealth. Each category has three challenges each through the map of New York City for you to tackle and progress, all leading to a Final Test. No spoilers here but it is a tough challenge, and you need to be very adept in your awareness abilities to beat it.Throughout the game you have Activities and Crimes to do, all logged into a list, available with a left swipe of the touchpad. This is a great addition to keep tabs on what is available and what you need to do.However one major downside is when you complete the Activities in the game (all except one which is locked until you beat the game for the first time), well, let's just say that they just couldn't help themselves. I'm not going to reduce the rating of this review because it is just one thing, but some could easily ram 1 stars solely for this one thing. Just a heads up.The game has a grain filter on by default which does slightly dull the graphics and colour. You can reduce this in the in game menus and vastly improve the graphics and the colour, everything pops with a modern view and this version looks even better than the Spider-man PS4 version, despite being practically an expansion of the same game.I took 14 hours to get every collectable and 100% every district, and I have New Game Plus left to play as of writing this review. New Game Plus has a unique suit, increased level cap, three new skills and new perks and mods to obtain. Having fully enjoyed the entirety of the game in my first playthrough and obtaining every trophy that can be obtained at this stage, I plan to play on Friendly Neighbourhood mode to be the ultimate Miles Morales and head straight for two Platinum trophies.

*4 and a half out of 5*Insomniac’s mini-sequel/spin-off to the excellent 2018 Spider-Man. In Spider-Man: Miles Morales you play as the titular hero learning the ropes and responsibilities of being Spider-Man and having to take on a new villain known as the Tinkerer.With the PS5 not releasing until later this week (19th November) and it being near impossible to get a preorder of one, getting the PS4 version day one was always going to be the option, and when I do eventually enter the next generation this game comes with a free upgrade as well.Graphically the game is still phenomenal and builds upon the already excellent previous game. The snowy winter time setting, the golden lighting of the sun and Miles’ new dynamic electricity fuelled combat animations all stand out and its clear that Insomniac are teetering on the next generation technology even for the PS4 version.Gameplay takes the familiar elements from the previous game in terms of stealth, combat and swinging. The latter feeling even more acrobatic and natural, with Miles’ aerobic and charismatic animations as he grows in confidence and taking more risks in the role. In addition to the regular combat fisticuffs, Miles also has bonus ‘Venom’ (not the character your thinking of) powers that can be charged up and cause electrical devastation.The story is substantially shorter than its predecessor. I beat the main story in around 8 hours (possibly less) and cleared up all the side activities in another 3-4 hours, so really there is a solid amount of content here for a spin off. The story is engaging and has some excellent blockbuster sequences. The personal and family focused edge shines through, as well as Miles having to gain New York’s trust and respect. Aside from the very generic villain Simon Krieger, the other antagonists (Rhino, Tinkerer & Prowler) all are well implemented and have fun boss fights.As for negatives, the game can be a little choppy at times in terms of frame rate and a lot of the side missions are the usual and repetitive busy work for the minor crimes and hidden caches. However a couple do standout due to the personal investment, such as the sound matching Prowler side story, the Spider-Man training sims and the surprisingly emotional scavenger hunt left by Miles’ father.Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a great way to swing into the next generation (even on PS4). Bringing back everything great about the last game in terms of its gameplay, as well as adding and improving on it in some areas. The story whilst shorter is a blast to play through and the game looks fantastic and truly jaw dropping at times. Aside from some repetitive side missions, this is a near perfect smaller side title, that I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Great game, super detailed and fun. Spent hours playing it

I waited to get this game until I had the PS5, so that I could enjoy it in it's full glory. I got the pS4 version though so we can still play it on the pro in the other room (it comes with a free ps5 upgrade).The game is set in the same NY setting, but at Xmas and picks up where ther previous left off. Introducing us to Miles Morales, as Peter takes a vacation and leaves him to be the only Spidey for a while.The game is great. Swinging is still wonderful and the new electro powers that he has add some fun new dynamics to combat.Once again there's a range of abilities, upgrades and cool suits to own.The one negative is that the game is pretty short really and feels like it was probably aimed originally to be a stand alone expansion. It is however very good.The character is great, missions fun, side missions great. It's a great game and looks stunning on PS5. If you get a pS5 it's a bit of a must have to show off the box really.