Why Insomniac’s Spider-Man Does Character Building Better Than the MCU - gaming article
If you’ve sat through the latest Spidey flick, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, you’ve probably felt that weird mix of “this is awesome” and “wait, something is missing.” We’re all hyped that Tom Holland’s Peter is finally back to basics—broke, struggling, and grinding in a tiny apartment—but let’s be real, the movie still leans way too hard on the MCU crutch. I’ve spent way too many hours getting 100% completion in the Insomniac games, and playing those side-by-side with the current film slate makes one thing crystal clear: the movies are failing to build a world that actually feels like Spider-Man’s home.
The MCU Crossover Trap
Look, I love a good cameo as much as the next guy. Seeing Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk or Jon Bernthal’s Punisher pop up in Brand New Day was a total vibe check, and honestly? They were handled way better than the usual “here’s a character for a ten-second trailer shot” nonsense we’re used to. It felt like they actually belonged in the narrative. But that’s the problem—when the best parts of a Spider-Man movie are the characters borrowed from other franchises, you’ve got a massive noob trap on your hands.
When you’re relying on the Avengers to carry the weight of a Spidey story, you stop focusing on what makes Peter Parker, well, Peter. You’re trading depth for spectacle. Compare that to how Insomniac handles their roster; everyone from Yuri Watanabe to Martin Li has a specific, meaningful connection to the web-head’s journey. The games understand that Spidey’s world is a delicate web of personal stakes, not just a playground for the rest of the MCU to hang out in.
The Rogues Gallery Problem
One of the biggest letdowns in the recent film is how they treat the villains. We get Scorpion, a classic heavy-hitter, and he’s basically treated like a glorified henchman. In the comics and the Insomniac games, Scorpion is a force of nature, especially when he’s being pushed around by J. Jonah Jameson’s ego. In the film? He’s just a puppet.
- The movies treat villains as “one-and-done” bosses that need to be defeated to move to the next MCU phase.
- Insomniac uses villains to challenge Peter’s ideology and personal growth over multiple games.
- There’s no “grind” to the villain progression in the films; they show up, get nerfed, and vanish.
Why Insomniac’s World-Building Hits Different
If you’ve played Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, you know the emotional gut-punch that is the arc with Martin Li. It’s not just about the fight; it’s about the history. Miles Morales having to reconcile his hatred for Li while trying to save the city is the kind of character development that requires a deep, dedicated bench of Spidey-exclusive characters.
When you pack a movie with MCU cameos, you lose the room to breathe. You don’t get those quiet moments where characters like Harry Osborn or Felicia Hardy can actually evolve. Insomniac gets it: they don’t need Iron Man to make a story compelling. They just need Peter, his friends, and the villains that are uniquely tied to his trauma.
5 Things the Movies Should Steal from Insomniac
If I were the lead writer at Marvel Studios, I’d be taking some serious notes from the game developers. Here is how you fix the current formula:
- Commit to the Spidey-First Cast: Stop importing Avengers. Give us a movie where Peter is the only hero, and the supporting cast is strictly from his corner of the comics.
- Let Villains Have History: Stop killing off every big bad after one movie. Give them room to grow, change, and become personal rivals.
- Acknowledge the Canon: Uncle Ben isn’t just a plot point; he’s the foundation. Ignoring him makes the character feel hollow.
- Focus on the Neighborhood: The stakes don’t always need to be “end of the world.” Sometimes saving the city from a local crime syndicate is more impactful.
- Develop the Supporting Cast: Ned and MJ are great, but give them something to do that doesn’t involve hacking or just cheering from the sidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Insomniac’s Spider-Man considered “canon” to the MCU?
Short answer: No. The games exist in their own separate universe (Earth-1048). That’s actually part of why they’re so good—they don’t have to worry about fitting into a ten-year plan created by a committee.
Do I need to play the games to understand the comics?
Not at all, but the games are basically a love letter to the source material. If you’re a fan of the comics, you’ll catch a ton of easter eggs that the movies consistently ignore.
Will the next Spider-Man movie fix these issues?
That’s pure copium at this point. As long as the movies are tied to the broader MCU machine, they’re always going to prioritize the “big picture” over the intimate, neighborhood-level stories that make Spidey the best character in the roster.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Brand New Day is a fun ride, but it’s a missed opportunity. We’re getting high-budget fan service instead of a deep-dive character study. I’m not asking for a boring movie, but I am asking for one that understands that Peter Parker doesn’t need a babysitter to be interesting. The Insomniac games proved that you can have a massive, blockbuster-level experience while still keeping the story focused on the people who actually matter to Peter.
If you’re craving a true Spidey experience, don’t wait for the next MCU release—go back and replay those Insomniac titles. You’ll see exactly what I mean about the difference between a cameo-fest and a genuine story. Drop a comment below with your favorite villain arc from the games, or hit me up on social media if you think I’m being too harsh on the MCU. Let’s argue about it!
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