Insomniac's new PlayStation 5 exclusive, Spider-Man 2 , looks like an interactive blockbuster. Here are some tips to get you into the action.

The first hours of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 They're fluid and cinematic, like a well-edited superhero movie. It's the kind of video game you sit down with and it completely absorbs you. If you get your controllers dirty... PlayStation 5 If that weren't a problem, it would go perfectly with a giant bowl of popcorn.

But its size doesn't mean it's only for elite players. While it contains plenty of elements for die-hard fans of the franchise, from variations of his classic outfit to web-slinging, it's still an enjoyable title for those looking for something more. Something new to enjoy on PlayStation. “We put a lot of effort into making sure we teach the player everything they need to know to be "A great Spider-Man," says Doug Sheahan, programming director at Insomniac Games, which unveiled the title on Friday.

WIRED chatted with Sheahan to get some helpful tips to help you get started on your adventure in Spider-Man 2 in a big way.

Note: In this guide we will avoid any spoiler narrative and the game's ending.

Adjust the difficulty levels

The four difficulty levels of Spider-Man 2 They are “ Friendly Neighborhood ,” “ Friendly ,” “ Amazing, ” and “ Spectacular .” How do players who choose the highest difficulty level differ? “Enemies will do more damage,” says Sheahan. “Their encounters will be a bit quicker.” Not intimidated by a quick defensive move? Start with “Amazing” and see what you think. You can raise or lower the difficulty at any time by going to Settings and then to Gameplay .

Younger players who aren't the best at coordination, or anyone who desires immortality when they don the Spidey suit, should consider "Neighborhood Friendly." If you choose this setting, there are only a couple of situations in which your superhero will die.

Open your spiderweb wings

“The most important thing with web wings for speed optimization is using them in conjunction with everything else,” Sheahan emphasizes. Make sure that Physics is on your side! Take your Spider-Man up as high as you can on a New York skyscraper. Then, swoop down to the ground and use your wingsuit to gain speed. Shoot a couple of webs to get back to the top. Repeat.

Perfect your blocking

Like the wings, the defensive block is new in Spider-Man 2. “The regular combat is more engaging because the player has to pay a little more attention,” Sheahan mentions. While fighting crime and supervillains, you have to determine when to dodge and when to block. This defensive action isn't crucial to the gameplay, but it's a welcome addition to the repertoire of abilities.

Change superhero

At the 2018 launch of Insomniac, In Marvel's Spider-Man , players focused on Peter Parker. The title received a "Game of the Year" nomination, losing to... God of War . The next installment in the franchise introduced the story of Miles Morales. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 It leans towards duality and it is often possible to alternate between both by sliding your finger to the left on the touchpad and holding down the square button.

What is the difference in gameplay between the two superheroes? Sheahan comments that Peter's combat is more focused on single-target attacks, while Miles is more skilled at ranged attacks.

It flies by with Fast Travel

Fast Travel is therefore faster in Spider-Man 2. “It feels next-gen in that you can simply jump from one place to another. You don’t have to rest the controller for 30 seconds,” he explains. While that loading screen wait is a bit excessive, the improved Fast Travel is indeed lightning fast.

However, unlocking the feature requires some patience. Access is restricted by district on the map and is only granted after completing about half the progress in a zone.

Then you'd better slow down.

If the game ever seems overwhelming, check the time scale of Spider-Man 2. “It will slow the game down to run at 70% or 50% speed,” Sheahan says. “This gives [players] more time to absorb the attacks and process what’s happening.” To experiment with this feature, open your Settings , choose Accessibility and activate the section Game speed .

Don't skip the recap

Whether you haven't played in a while or this is your first time exploring New York, the recap available at the top of Spider-Man 2 It's well-crafted and worthwhile. With that in mind, you don't need to be an encyclopedia of superhero history to enjoy this experience. "This game plays out as a complete and self-contained story," Sheahan assures. You don't need to know the multiverse!

Check the accessibility options

The experience of playing as Spiderman It is adaptable and It adapts to your needs. Some options available in the Accessibility settings include high-contrast modes for greater visual clarity, a motion sensitivity option to disable camera shake, and auto-fill for quick-time events. Sheahan mentions that Insomniac plans to add more accessibility features to the game before the end of the year, such as a screen reader.

Source: Wired