Despite the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Marvel-themed video games that have tried to accompany the movies have never quite achieved both success and cohesion. Both ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ as well as ‘Midnight Suns’ took place in different universes, allowing players to engage in one without any need to try the others. But now, all of that is about to change.
You see it, don’t you?
It is well known that Insomniac’s ‘Spider-Man 2’ has been a huge success: it has quickly become the fastest-selling original game from PlayStation Studios. Insomniac managed to revive a PS5 that, despite its hardware sales, was almost dormant, and has sparked discussions about their new approach to Marvel with ‘Wolverine‘.
Regarding the game featuring the Canadian mutant, all we know for now is what was said in September 2021: it is in development and will not have any connection with other games… Or maybe it will? Bryan Intihar, the creative director of ‘Spider-Man 2‘, has stated that “both games take place in the 1048 universe.” Earth-1048 is known not only from the three Spidey games but also from the comics and novels that adapt them. Yes, those exist too.
However, no matter how much you search in Peter Parker and Miles Morales‘ New York, you won’t find any references to the X-Men or the adamantium-clawed mutant. They have deliberately kept them apart: “Let them cook. Let them make the game they want to make. Who knows what awaits us in the future, but for now, let them do their thing, and let that game be great.”
So, years after the MCU introduced shared narratives beyond the comics, it’s now time to explore them in video games. How far will it take us? For now, it’s best to sit back and enjoy the journey because it’s going to be a long one.
