Summary
When Scorpion was revealed to have hallucinogenic poison inMarvel’s Spider-Manit was only a matter of time before Insomniac would inevitably use the same tricks for a Mysterio sequence inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2. Mysterio had already been established in the franchise’s world and since his special effects manipulations would be perfect for a similarly trippy gimmick, Insomniac made Mysterio a layup in the sequel and even revealed him prematurely with a blatant nod to his insignia in the open world’s UI before during a surprise gameplay debriefing atthe September State of Play.
However, when players meet Quentin Beck inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2he is in an odd situation. Beck continues to parade around with the Mysterio name and costume—which seems like a horrible oversight if he had terrorized New York City beforehand or committed crimes—but is in rehabilitation and instead using his talents for entertainment purposes, particularly immersive augmented-reality escape rooms. Mysterio does become a side-quest villain to encounter with a bit of a twist, yet the character may never get to live up to the same potential as Mad Hatter in the Arkhamverse franchise.
Mad Hatter’s debut in the Arkhamversewas part ofBatman: Arkham City. Here, Hatter overwhelming Batman was intended as a plot twist to subvert expectations when Batman believes Alfred has deployed a sample of the cure from the Batwing—apparently due to hypnosis that Hatter puts him under after Batman rescues Vicki Vale—but Batman ends up passing out and waking up in Jervis Tetch’s clutches.
This Mad Hatter sequence is an incredibly basic combat encounter on a floating pocket watch stage where Hatter’s placed a rabbit mask on Batman and attempts to make him subservient, though Batman resists and quickly subdues him. Hatter then appeared inBatman: Arkham Originsand his Most Wanted side mission plays out almost identically to that ofScarecrow’s hallucinogenic platforming sequences fromAsylumwith a wide POV as players avoid the giant villain’s gaze in a beautiful portrayal of Hatter’s Wonderland.
Then, inBatman: Arkham Knight, Hatter arrived as one of four DLC villains added to the story. Players first locate GCPD cruisers for police officers being held hostage and, once found, Batman’s put into another trance and taken to a dreamscape where he, the final hostage, and mobs of enemies are all upon the pages of a pop-up fairy tale picture book recountingthe events ofAsylum,City, andKnight.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Mysterio is Great, But Written Off Too Soon
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Mysterio isn’t Beck but Beck’s associates, at least when players battle him as Miles. Beck turns out to be fully rehabilitated and wants to turn over a new leaf, while his Mysterium associates want to collect data on people. Mysterio’s boss fight is easily one of the most spectacular inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2and cashes in on the popularity of the villain’s iteration inSpider-Man: Far From Home, complete with a giant Mysterio encapsulating Spider-Man in a New York City snow globe and all.
The unfortunate part of Mysterio’s inclusion, then, is the fact that he probably won’t be reprised again unless someone else decides to steal Beck’s technology and assume the role since Beck is a new man.
Unlike Mad Hatter, Mysterio seems like a one-off side villain that Insomniac andMarvel’s Spider-Manare sadly undercutting in his prime when the character could continuously contribute to epic gameplay sequences in future sequels. Mad Hatter will now be part ofSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueas a weapon doll digital token at the least, while it’s unclear whether Mysterio will ever return in theMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchise.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
