<h1>Improved Technology and Modes of Play in Spider-Man 2 for PS5</h1>
Insomniac’s highly anticipated game, Spider-Man 2, has swung onto the PS5 platform with impressive technological advancements. Without the need to support the PS4 version, the game’s traversal speed has more than doubled, allowing players to soar through New York City as if they were a spider bat. The PS5’s powerful memory and SSD speeds seamlessly stream in higher traffic, building density, and pedestrian interactions, without any issues.
The game’s water mechanics have also seen significant improvements, with full geometric surface bodies that morph and wrap around boats and characters, enhancing the overall city interaction and traversal experience. Ray tracing, a key component of the game’s art design, has been improved with higher reflection quality and materials compared to previous remasters. The use of ray tracing and cube maps in the water bodies amplifies the water quality. Additionally, the AI-generated muscle deformation system enhances suit animations and provides more realistic human shapes and tension, especially important for Venom’s morphing powers.
Two Modes of Play: Fidelity and Performance
With the absence of the PS4, Spider-Man 2 offers two modes of play. The default mode is Fidelity, which showcases the game’s stunning visuals at a capped 30fps frame rate and dynamic resolution scaling that often comes close to 4K. Character models, facial animations, and emotional nuance have all been improved, building upon the previous games. The hair spline technology for Peter, Mary Jane, and Miles has seen significant enhancements, giving their hair more bounce and body. Notably, MJ’s hair volume and physics are among the best, and clipping issues are almost non-existent. The inclusion of more RT reflections and physics-based rendering materials maintains a harmonious balance between realism and the uncanny valley effect. The 30fps cap is easily accepted when considering the overall visual quality, aided by an improved per-pixel motion blur.
For players who prioritize performance, the Performance mode offers a satisfying experience. It maintains all the features of the Fidelity mode while doubling the frame rate to a smooth 60fps. The resolution ceiling in Performance mode is 2560x1440p, often hitting that mark, with occasional dips to a new low of 1920x1080p. The use of Insomniac’s temporal injection technology reconstructs and cleans up the image to the maximum resolution when it falls below the standard. While Performance mode slightly reduces RT reflections, shadows, hair quality, and certain textures, these are minor sacrifices for the doubled performance and intense action the game offers.
Unlocking Performance Potential and Varied Refresh Options
Insomniac has gone further in optimizing Spider-Man 2 to unlock the full potential of the PS5 for different screen capabilities. Owners of 120Hz screens can enjoy a 40fps fidelity mode, bridging the gap between 30 and 60fps with a 25ms frame time. This mode offers even higher performance without compromising quality. For Variable Rate Refresh (VRR) screens, the Fidelity mode can reach a new maximum of 50fps, employing a more aggressive dynamic resolution scaling. This scaling sacrifices a slightly lower base resolution for significantly higher frame rates, often reaching 40+. The increased response on VRR screens provides an additional benefit and enhances the overall gaming experience.
Not to be left behind, the Performance mode also offers improvements. It includes a slightly wider dynamic resolution range, capable of reaching 1792x1008p, although lower resolutions are also possible. The benefit of this extended range is the ability to achieve a frame rate of up to 100fps. During gameplay, the frame rate hovers closer to 70fps, providing increased fluidity and responsiveness. While a full 120fps is not feasible, the enhanced response on VRR screens remains a valuable bonus for many players interested in exploring the PS5’s first-party potential.
Final Thoughts on Spider-Man 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 offers a thrilling continuation of the spectacular series, combining an engaging story with the opportunity to play as two beloved Spider-Men. Insomniac has successfully refined the combat and web-swinging mechanics, introducing new abilities and tweaks that elevate the gameplay experience to new heights. Although the open world of New York City may not be significantly improved, the game still delivers Insomniac’s best narrative yet and offers a fun superhero power trip. Despite some minor visual imperfections and occasional odd animations, Spider-Man 2 captures the essence of being Spider-Man and provides a truly enjoyable adventure for fans of the web-slinger.
Original Article: https://www.ign.com/articles/marvels-spider-man-2-the-tech-and-rtx-impressions