Insomniac Games brings the iconic villain Venom to its latest game, Spider-Man 2, with a twist. …
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New Host Emerges in Marvel's Spider-Man 2
The latest addition to the Spider-Man franchise, Spider-Man 2, has now landed on the PS5 with a story centered around Venom that has fans buzzing. The twist is that the symbiote's host is not the usual character familiar from the comic book series. Instead, the developers, Insomniac Games, chose a brand new host.
Insomniac Narrative Director Sheds Light on New Venom Host
Insomniac's Narrative Director, Ben Arfmann, provided further context around the decision during an interview with Gizmodo. The spoilers ahead may reveal some key plot points and the identity of the new Venom host.
The choice to see Harry Osborn take on the Venom persona is primarily grounded in his deep-rooted friendship with Peter Parker. The subsequent tension arising from their close-knit relationship lends an intense layer of drama to the game's narrative.
The Motivation behind Harry Osborn's Venom Transformation
The motivation to create a Venom-centric storyline was apparent early in the development stages of Spider-Man 2. Arfmann points out, 'We wanted to get personal hooks that made Venom's character significant, not just for Spider-Man, but also for Peter Parker.
Making Harry Osborn as Venom naturally creates dramatic events between the two friends.'Various Influences in the Venom Storyline
Unlike the comic books where Peter and Harry bear a complex companionship, leading to altercations in their alter-egos, Harry more often assumes the villainous role of the Green Goblin inherited from his father, Norman Osborn. The game's narrative takes an intriguing turn by integrating elements of Flash Thompson's stint as Agent Venom into Harry Osborn's Venom story arc.
As Arfmann explains, the creative process involves wholly consuming all existing narratives around the characters and subsequently building on them to create something unique. He emphasizes, 'Our focus consisted only of our version of Harry Osborn and Peter Parker, and figuring out an impactful collision course to emphasize their emotional battles.'
Conclusion: Insomniac's Take on Venom Story
Although the love for Eddie's Venom is apparent, the developers aim to carve out a unique Venom story that's both innovative and intriguing while building on the distinct lore they have set up.