Highlights
- The identity and role of Venom in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 remain uncertain, with multiple possibilities hinted at in trailers.
- Venom may potentially be playable in certain segments of the game, utilizing its tentacle-based fighting style.
- One theory is that Venom could be either Harry Osborn or Peter Parker, with potential storylines involving both characters and their relationships with the symbiote.
The launch of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 approaches, and marketing has ramped up to prepare for it. By this point, what seems to be all the central figures in the game have been revealed, with any major unknowns being well-hidden. Peter Parker and Miles Morales return in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 as cooperating Spider-Men, pooling their efforts and allies to pull through rough spots in both of their lives. Unfortunately, things will only get more complicated with the appearance of Kraven the Hunter and Venom on top of New York City's many other active villains and vigilantes.
One of the major questions posed so far is the identity and role of Venom. Unlike in the original Spider-Man comics, Eddie Brock has been confirmed to not reprise his typical role as the Lethal Protector. Several options are hinted at in trailers, and it seems like Venom is going to be someone from the known cast. However, because there are multiple obvious paths, it's a toss-up which one Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will actually follow.
Venom Is Playable
The first guess many fans have is that Venom will be important enough to become playable in certain segments. With Peter likely donning the black suit for a minority of Spider-Man 2's runtime, its tentacle-based fighting style may go underutilized without Venom inheriting it. That being said, those combat abilities seem deliberately overpowered, so a playable Venom will probably also be limited. However, that doesn't address the issue of Venom's identity, and what it means for the plot.
Venom Is Harry Osborn
Venom's main host is heavily suggested by trailers and Marvel's Spider-Man 1's ending to be Harry Osborn. Exposed to the Venom symbiote in an effort to cure him of a fatal disease, Harry might pass it to Peter or lend him a sample while they're spending time together. However, that doesn't explain how the spider-influenced symbiote returns to him, and it's currently unclear why Harry would oppose Spider-Man even with the symbiote's influence. Norman Osborn, his father, could use the symbiote himself, but that would lose the emotional impact of a likable character turning evil. The heavy hinting at Harry being Venom without confirmation may be a red herring, but what this means for the symbiote is unknown.
Venom Is Peter Parker
If Harry Osborn isn't Venom, then the next most likely suspect may be Spider-Man himself. Peter, Miles, and Venom have consistently been shown as three individuals, but Peter does have the black suit for an unknown amount of time. There have been moments throughout Spider-Man's history where Peter assumes Venom's monstrous appearance, often while the symbiote is exerting direct control. Unfortunately, committing to this could conflict with the standard narrative of Peter overcoming his inner darkness and separating with the black suit, so someone else is a more likely culprit.
Miles Helps Peter Deal With Venom
Still, even if Venom really is just Harry, Peter is going to spend some time wearing the symbiote. He could even take a temporary role as the antagonist to better his civilian life, forcing Miles to intervene. Instead of the normal church bells Peter rings to drive off the symbiote suit, Miles' electric Venom powers could fry it off Peter once he's pushed too far. This would give Venom, or at least the symbiote, a reason to dislike both Spider-Men, and the chance to justify its shared name by copying Miles' powers in addition to Peter's. A Venom which parallels all present Spider-Men would work in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, regardless of who that turns out to be.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches on October 20 exclusively for PlayStation 5.