Do I need to play anything before Miles Morales?

Friend, if you‘re eager to jump into Marvel‘s Spider-Man: Miles Morales on your shiny new PlayStation 5, you might be wondering if you need to play last year‘s Marvel‘s Spider-Man first. As an avid gamer and contributor to gaming sites like IGN and GameSpot, let me provide a comprehensive breakdown comparing both games to help you decide. I‘ve played through them extensively, and can offer some expert insights.

The short answer is: No, you don‘t need to play the original Spider-Man game first to fully enjoy Miles Morales. This stellar follow-up was crafted as a standalone story, friendly for new players. But the original does provide backstory that enriches the experience. Let‘s dive into the key differences, and which versions make sense based on your gaming history.

How Miles Morales connects to Spider-Man storywise

• Miles Morales picks up about a year after Spider-Man, with Miles embracing superpowers of his own.
• In the first game, Miles was introduced as a supporting character while you played as Peter Parker.
• This sequel focuses on Miles‘ origin story as he steps up after Peter leaves town.
• Longtime characters like Aunt May and Rio Morales provide connective tissue.
• References to the first game‘s events add deeper meaning if you‘ve played it.

But developer Insomniac Games wisely avoided making the original required reading. In my experience, Miles Morales does a stellar job welcoming new players and setting the stage. Early on, it quickly recaps who Miles is, his relationship to Peter, and their previous adventures.

If you dive into Miles Morales first, you‘ll miss some backstory enriching these relationships, but the core story stands on its own. It‘s comparable to something like the MCU films sliding in references rewarding for longtime fans, yet totally approachable for new viewers.

Gameplay, combat and progression comparisons

In terms of underlying gameplay, the two Spider-Man games feel remarkably similar:

• Both deliver thrilling open world traversal as you swing through Marvel‘s New York.
• The hand-to-hand combat systems rely on chaining varied punches, gadgets and environmental attacks.
• Miles has some slick new bio-electric abilities, but otherwise the core combat flows alike.
• You‘ll spend time searching the map for collectibles, taking out thugs, photographing landmarks and more.
• The digital Manhattan maps themselves are extremely comparable in scope and density.

Yet while the free-flowing gameplay carries over, the story, characters and moment-to-moment action feel fresh in Miles Morales. The games complement each other nicely rather than retreading steps.

The chart above summarizes some key variations. Miles Morales offers a more compact and focused experience. Yet both deliver tons of top-notch Spidey goodness!

Miles Morales reviews and reception

Looking at critic and user reviews showcases how strong Miles‘ debut game turned out:

• Miles Morales earned an impressive 85 average on Metacritic.
• By comparison, Spider-Man scored an 87 average back in 2018.
• Reviews praised Miles‘ spectacle, heartfelt story, and refinements to the Spider-Man formula.
• Fans on Reddit and YouTube also seem extremely satisfied with their time with Miles.
• The game has sold over 6.5 million copies as of November 2021.

Based on these glowing reactions, Insomniac absolutely delivered the goods for the wall-crawler‘s next-gen debut.

Miles Morales visuals and next-gen polish

Since Miles Morales arrived alongside the PS5‘s launch, it was designed to showcase the new console‘s capabilities:

• Display modes allow you to prioritize either 4K resolution or silky 60 FPS.
• Ray tracing support enables gorgeous reflective surfaces and enhanced lighting.
• Improved weather and particle effects make the world feel more alive.
• Early cutscenes had some odd facial animations, but overall visuals impress.

So while Spider-Man looked great on PS4 back in 2018, Miles Morales cranks up the fidelity, detail and effects thanks to PS5‘s power. From what I‘ve seen, it sets a new standard for superhero games.

Breaking down the different versions and bundles

When it comes to actually purchasing the game, you‘ve got a few options to consider:

• Miles Morales Standard Edition – Comes with just the base game for PS4 or PS5. Goes for around $50.
• Miles Morales Ultimate Edition – Bundles together the base game with an enhanced remaster of Spider-Man from 2018. This packs tons of top-notch content for around $70.
• The PS4 version of Miles Morales upgrades to the PS5 version free. So no need to stress about buying the "right" platform.

So if you‘ve never played Spider-Man and own a PS5, the Ultimate Edition seems like a slam dunk. You get the full pair of games with sexy next-gen upgrades for just $20 more.

Should you buy the Spider-Man remaster?

Let‘s explore specifically whether the Spider-Man remaster bundled with Miles Morales‘ Ultimate Edition adds enough value:

• It features 4K resolution, improved textures/assets, faster loading, and snappy 60 FPS gameplay.
• The DualSense controller‘s haptic feedback and triggers help you feel each punch and web hit.
• Ray tracing is applied enhancing reflections, shadows, and ambient light.
• It includes all DLC packs with extra missions starring Black Cat, Hammerhead, and more.
• The core gameplay and story content remain unchanged.

For players who already experienced Spider-Man on PS4, I think the remastered enhancements are cool but probably not essential. However, they genuinely make both games feel new again.

And for newcomers getting their first web slinging experience on PS5, it‘s an incredible dual package. You get the complete narrative saga plus visual upgrades in one fell swoop.

Play the original first, or dive right into Miles?

So based on everything covered above, what‘s the optimal way to experience these two modern Spider-Man masterpieces? Let‘s recap the key factors:

• You absolutely can start with Miles Morales first and have an amazing time.
• But playing the original game beforehand enriches the story and characters.
• The order allows you to experience the full narrative arc sequentially.
• Miles then feels like the epic next chapter versus just a standalone.
• Considering the bundles out there, you can often get both games for the price of one!

Personally, I think going through Spider-Man first then immediately jumping into Miles Morales is the ideal scenario, especially through the Ultimate Edition bundle. You get the complete saga with all DLC and next-gen upgrades for a discount compared to buying separately.

Yet even if you just want to dive into Miles‘ solo adventure for now, you are still primed for an emotional, action-packed experience regardless. Insomniac did an outstanding job welcoming new players while rewarding loyal fans.

The superhero adventure of a lifetime awaits

Well my friend, that covers just about everything I‘ve learned and can share about deciding how to embark on this amazing Spider-Man gaming saga. I hope breaking down all aspects from story ties to next-gen upgrades helped give you clarity.

Whether you join the journey as OG Peter Parker or successor Miles Morales, you have an incredible superhero adventure ahead. I can‘t recommend these games enough for fans of gripping stories, cinematic set-pieces, and joyous web-swinging through New York‘s concrete jungle. Let me know if you have any other questions!