Could Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 introduce the heir apparent to a classic supervillain?
With both Marvel’s Spider-Man games partially revolving around hunting, there is some ambiguity as to why one in particular would be equipped with Vulture-like technology. The new Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 villain, ‘Thirst’, introduces a peculiarly designed hunter drone that branches away from typical technology in the sandbox game.
Insomniac’s Spider-Man games feature two primary storylines
Harry Osborn’s symbiote ordeal, and Kraven’s arrival in New York City to hunt his chosen targets. Harry Osborn fulfills an important role in the first sequel, as his quest to rid himself of his ‘parasite’ binds Miles and Peter together throughout the story.
While Dr. Curtis Connors plays a pivotal role in connecting these storylines, his transformation into the Lizard primarily concerns Harry, not Spider-Man. Despite this, there are occasional moments where Curtis’ new persona interferes with Spider-Man’s life – one unintended consequence being that the Lizard’s presence attracts Kraven’s attention.
Kraven and the Vulture connection
As a seasoned hunter, Kraven’s ego drives his desire for a worthy opponent, despite claiming not to rely on technology. However, Kraven and his hunters possess specialized weapons and rotorcrafts, which are arguably cardinal to a hunter’s modus operandi. Even more confusing is the introduction of hunter drones in the sequel that bear a striking resemblance to the wing technology used by the Vulture, one of Spider-Man’s earliest supervillains.
It’s unclear why Kraven would possess this technology, as he previously claimed to rely on his hunting skills rather than equipment. However, it hasn’t proven particularly useful for him or his hunters – Miles successfully takes out a drone without detection, while Ganke hacks into another for remote access.
This doesn’t necessarily mean a connection, as the drones may only share a visual similarity with the Vulture. Nevertheless, it seems odd not to have a connection if they were intentionally designed this way. The potential arises that Kraven hunted and killed the Vulture, claiming his technology as a trophy.
Unfortunately, the game’s datapad confirms that the Vulture is still imprisoned in the Raft, making him inaccessible unless a repeat of a prison break sequence occurs. That said, the Vulture’s previous appearances in the franchise, including boss fights in both Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, may limit his potential for further development.
Likewise, Insomniac’s Rhino has already made multiple appearances, but his role in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales was more intriguing due to his upgraded red Roxxon armor. To bring back the Vulture in a meaningful way, he would likely require a significant upgrade or emotional resonance in the sequel’s narrative.
If not, it’s possible that Insomniac’s Vulture has reached its limit, making room for lesser-known or less saturated antagonists like Kraven to take the spotlight. Either way, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is set to release exclusively for PlayStation 5 on October 20.
If you’re keen to test your spider-senses, check out some of the best upcoming games slated for release in 2023. You can also keep tabs on all the current releases by checking out our monthly reviews roundup.
