"Miles Morales" in the test: A new Spider-Man conquers New York

The friendly spider from the neighborhood returns to the Playstation. Or rather, spider trainee Miles Morales tries to replace Peter Parker on vacation. And the new Spider-Man also knows how to convince with a fast-paced action adventure.

Sequels to game titles often fail because of the comparison with the successful predecessor. The new "Spider-Man: Miles Morales", which appears exclusively for the Playstation 4 and the new PS5, shows that things are going at least as well. The developers of Insomniac do not make great spider jumps in terms of gameplay. The action adventure with the successful main story conveys a lot of fun and a message that couldn't be more contemporary.

New York no longer has just one Spider-Man, but two. The new story hero Miles Morales, already introduced in the first title, becomes the spider trainee of the eloquent Peter Parker. Anyone who has not played the first part is picked up with a crisp intro – and much more important: "Spider-Man: Miles Morales" does not require any prior knowledge and is presented as an independent title.

While the veteran Spidey goes on a well-deserved vacation, Miles takes over the representation in the Big Apple. In contrast to the classic Spider-Man model, it is not against super villains, but against technologically advanced guerrilla groups. The seedy Roxxon group and the underground movement are fighting for a new energy resource called Nuform. Right in the middle: young hero Miles.

And it also has a message for its players. "Be different. Be yourself." Given the developments in the USA, this motto could hardly be more topical. Issues such as homosexuality, migration and equality can be found in many corners of the game. For the Spider-Man series, albeit in a film or video game version, these are rather unusual elements. The story takes place in Manhattan, but in Harlem, a district that is shaped by Afro-American culture. The mother of protagonist Miles Morales comes from Puerto Rico and is involved in local politics. In the lovingly told story, the action is not neglected.

On spider threads through Christmassy NYC

This is not only ensured by spider-like reflexes and thread shooting. Unlike Peter Parker, Miles has new skills. With the Venom power, he can launch bioelectrical attacks. As with the predecessor, these are staged in spectacular fight scenes and super slow motion. A sophisticated skill tree allows Miles to learn new attacks and evasive maneuvers as the game progresses, as well as unlocking technical gadgets or new suits. A completely new element brings the ability to make yourself invisible for a short time. Perfect for attacking from an ambush, because in fights against hordes of enemies you can quickly lose track of things.

Only minimal changes have been made to the basic mechanics. The liana-like swinging through the city that never sleeps goes well as usual. And New York City also has a lot to offer in the beautiful winter look. The only drawback: the game world has not changed at all compared to the predecessor. There are no new corners to be discovered in the metropolis.

New gaming experience on the PS5

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales – [PlayStation 4]

*Data protection

In addition to the main mission, there are of course other crimes to be solved. The new orders arrive in a very modern way via a Spider-Man app. A swipe over the sensor field of the PS controller and the player immediately has a lot of side quests available. From catching pigeons to collecting Spidey memorabilia to robbery and car chases, everything is included. All of this is available in a very good coordination of atmosphere, sound and synchronization. The new Spider-Man is just a little fresher and more carefree.

We were able to test both the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game. And the makers of Insomniac give an idea of ​​what the next generation can do on the PS5. Light effects and reflections raise the graphics to a new level, the haptic controller provides a completely new feel. The vibrations emanating from the controller are much more sensitive. An explosion shakes through and even walking on snow is simulated with a gentle tingling sensation. Regardless of the console, the Miles Morales adventure is an entertaining action ride.

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