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Marvel’s Spider-Man, released in 2018, made a significant impact on the superhero gaming genre, offering deep gameplay and a compelling narrative that rivaled blockbuster films. Insomniac Games followed up with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a title that garnered even more praise. Now, thanks to Sony’s push to bring its exclusives to PC, Nixxes Software has ported Miles Morales, giving PC gamers a chance to experience this acclaimed title. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in and find out.

A Fresh Take on the Spider-Man Mythos

alt text: Miles Morales swinging through a snowy New York CityIf you’re feeling Spider-Man fatigue after years of Peter Parker across comics, movies, and games, Miles Morales offers a refreshing change of pace. This game presents a new adventure with a unique storyline, gameplay mechanics, and cutting-edge technology initially showcased on the PlayStation 5.

Players follow Miles Morales, a young Afro-Latino teenager grappling with newfound spider-powers. He must protect New York City from unfamiliar villains while navigating his own journey to become a true superhero, all without the guidance of his mentor, Peter Parker, who is conveniently on vacation.

alt text: Miles Morales performing a Venom Power attackUnlike the more experienced and independent Peter Parker, Miles is a teenager still finding his footing. His story is one of growth and self-discovery as he steps out of Peter’s shadow and protects the citizens of a turbulent New York City. The narrative is arguably a significant strength of Miles Morales, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep players engaged. Miles finds himself caught in complex webs of conspiracies, blurring the lines between good and evil.

Enhanced Gameplay and a Vibrant City

alt text: Miles Morales using his camouflage abilityThe gameplay is refined compared to the original Spider-Man, with cleverly designed side missions and a robust system of city-wide problems, ranging from petty crimes to complex investigations. These missions weave together to form a cohesive narrative, providing more context and depth than simple errands. Even seemingly mundane tasks, like finding a lost cat, are infused with excitement and unexpected encounters.

alt text: Miles Morales interacting with a citizenCollecting memorabilia also presents unique challenges, reducing the potential for monotony often found in open-world games. This attention to detail keeps the experience fresh, especially for veterans of the Spider-Man games.

Next-Gen Graphics and PC Enhancements

alt text: A detailed view of the city in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles MoralesThe game boasts impressive next-gen graphics and physics, featuring advanced Ray Tracing implemented from the outset. This allows for stunning visuals, surpassing the original Spider-Man’s remastered version.

alt text: Miles Morales perched atop a buildingThe PC port also benefits from technologies like DLSS and FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), ensuring smooth performance across a wide range of hardware. NVIDIA’s DLSS Frame Generation, a feature of DLSS 3.0, further enhances motion smoothness by inserting AI-generated frames. While this can introduce some latency, it’s negligible in a single-player game like Miles Morales. In return, players experience incredibly fluid and visually stunning action sequences, especially on high refresh rate monitors. Full DualSense controller support further immerses players, utilizing Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers for a console-like experience.

alt text: Miles Morales in combatUnlike some PlayStation ports that prioritize replicating the original console experience, Miles Morales embraces new technologies, offering a truly next-gen experience for PC gamers.

Launch Day Bugs and Performance Issues

alt text: Miles Morales looking at a holographic projectionDespite its strengths, the PC port’s rushed launch resulted in several frustrating bugs. Nixxes Software, tasked with porting both Spider-Man games in a short timeframe, faced challenges in ensuring a polished release. Players encountered various issues, including camera lock-ups, unclosable UI elements, and even crashes. A substantial 25GB update was required to address these problems, highlighting the need for more thorough testing before release.

alt text: Miles Morales standing in front of a Christmas tree

Conclusion

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PC is a fantastic game hampered by a rocky launch. The compelling story, refined gameplay, and impressive visuals make it a must-play for Spider-Man fans and newcomers alike. While the initial technical issues were disappointing, the subsequent patches have significantly improved the experience. This PC port showcases the potential of bringing PlayStation exclusives to a wider audience, offering enhanced features and performance. Despite the early hiccups, Miles Morales on PC is a worthy addition to any gamer’s library.