When Marvel’s Spider-Man first launched in 2018 on the PlayStation 4, it did more than deliver another superhero game—it revitalised the genre. Much like Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham series before it, Insomniac’s vision of the web-slinger captured not only the thrill of playing as Spider-Man but also the vulnerability, humour, and resilience of Peter Parker. It established a new benchmark for licensed superhero titles, combining open-world traversal, cinematic storytelling, and emotionally rich character work.
Now, with Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered on PlayStation 5, the game gains a new lease of life as a showcase for Sony’s latest hardware. This isn’t just a simple port—it’s a remaster that refines the visual quality, cuts load times to nearly instant, and boosts tactile immersion through the DualSense controller. While the core gameplay remains mostly unchanged, the upgrades in presentation and performance reinforce its status as one of the definitive superhero experiences of the modern age.
Insomniac’s recreation of New York City was impressive on PS4, but on PS5, the city feels alive in a way that blurs the line between set dressing and character. Ray tracing adds an extra layer of realism: sunlight gleams off glass facades, windows mirror passing pedestrians, and neon reflections shimmer in rain-slicked streets. The game’s lighting system benefits from the extra power, lending warmth to golden-hour sunsets and a cinematic depth to night scenes.
Textures are sharper overall—costumes feature detailed stitching, pavements show micro-cracks, and weathering on building exteriors becomes more evident. The draw distance has been significantly enhanced, meaning that even distant skyscrapers are rendered with comprehensive detail.
The framerate options—Performance Mode at 60fps or Fidelity Mode at 30fps with ray tracing—offer players a choice. Performance Mode makes traversal almost hypnotic; every swing and acrobatic twist flows smoothly. Fidelity Mode, on the other hand, provides a slower, more cinematic experience, perfect for appreciating the city's beauty. The fact that players can switch modes at will is a notable luxury.
If there’s one aspect of Spider-Man that continues to define it years later, it’s traversal. Insomniac understood that swinging wasn’t just a mechanic—it was the core fantasy of the character. In the PS5 remaster, the addition of DualSense haptic feedback subtly transforms it: the right trigger’s adaptive resistance shifts with momentum, making web lines feel taut during upward swings and lighter during dives. The result is a profoundly satisfying sense of connection to the environment.
Traversal is more than just swinging. Wall-running, parkour vaults, zip-to-point launches, and aerial tricks add variety and style. These mechanics encourage experimentation, rewarding players for chaining moves into fluid sequences. The result is that even crossing the city for a minor side mission never feels like a chore — it’s part of the joy.
Combat remains a high point, clearly influenced by Arkham’s free-flow system but adapted to Spider-Man’s acrobatic, improvisational style. Fights are fast, vertical, and gadget-rich. Dodging is key, and the PS5’s enhanced responsiveness makes dodges feel more immediate.
The combat excels in its variety. Spider-Man can combine gadgets such as web bombs and trip mines with acrobatic combos, utilising the environment—walls, lampposts, car doors—as weapons. Finishing moves are smoothly animated, and combat pacing encourages creativity. On higher difficulties, enemies hit harder and require strategic thinking, making the use of gadgets and suit mods more than just optional flourishes.
The story of Marvel’s Spider-Man remains one of the most compelling parts of the game. This isn’t an origin story; Peter has been Spider-Man for eight years. He’s confident in his abilities but still learning how to manage his dual life. His relationships—with MJ, Aunt May, and Otto Octavius—constitute the emotional core of the narrative.
The PS5 remaster’s updated facial model for Peter initially sparked controversy, but in practice, the improved facial capture provides performances with more emotional subtlety. Otto’s transformation from mentor to villain is handled with empathy, making his fall tragic rather than one-dimensional. Aunt May’s arc culminates in one of the most affecting endings in superhero gaming, bringing the story to a mature and resonant close.
The open-world setup offers a blend of story missions, side quests, and ambient activities. While the side activities—backpacks, research stations, enemy bases—may seem formulaic, they effectively ground Spider-Man as a neighbourhood hero. Responding to street-level crimes or assisting the NYPD isn’t just filler; it reinforces Peter’s role within the city.
The remaster’s speed is a revelation here. On PS4, fast travel was concealed by subway animations; on PS5, loading is so quick that Spider-Man can swing across Manhattan in the time most games take to load a menu. This immediacy prevents side activities from feeling like interruptions.
The PS5’s DualSense controller enhances the tactile experience of the game. Haptic feedback conveys the physicality of Spider-Man’s world—gentle thuds during landings, sharper jolts when taking hits, and a buzzing vibration when zipping to a wall. The adaptive triggers add slight tension to each swing, subtly reminding you of the effort behind every web line.
The near-instant load times are hard to emphasise enough. Transitioning from the title screen to swinging through Manhattan happens within seconds. Restarting missions after failure is immediate, maintaining the flow of gameplay.
While the PS5 remaster enhances Spider-Man's visuals and responsiveness, it does not fundamentally change its open-world design. The city feels lively, but the layout of activities—map icons, repetitive crimes, challenge missions—still reflects conventions from the 2010s. This doesn’t reduce the game’s quality, but players familiar with newer open-world features might notice its traditional approach.
On PlayStation 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is more than just a glossier version of the PS4 game — it’s the most complete and immersive way to experience Insomniac’s vision of the web-slinger. The story remains heartfelt, the traversal unmatched, and the combat as exhilarating as ever. The technical upgrades — ray tracing, near-instant loads, DualSense immersion — refine an already exceptional game into a definitive edition.
For new players, this serves as the perfect entry point. For returning fans, it provides a reason to revisit a masterpiece. It might not redefine the superhero genre again, but it doesn’t need to. It reaffirms that Marvel’s Spider-Man is among the best superhero games ever made.