Spider-Man video games have been around for decades, but Spidey’s biggest fans knew something different was coming in 2018. “Marvel’s Spider-Man” for the PlayStation 4 was as close to a perfect Spider-Man experience as gamers thought they could ever get. Developer Insomniac Games created a story that’s on par with some of the best Spider-Man comics, and a gameplay experience that’s second to none. From swinging through the city to fighting classic villains, every mechanic is carefully designed and feels great.
2023’s “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” is a masterpiece that continues the excellence of the first game in every way, but there’s one unavoidable problem: it ends. “Marvel’s Spider-Man 3” will continue the experience, but that promise does nothing for gamers craving more right now. Luckily, there are quite a few games that aim for the same sweet spot as “Spider-Man.” Developers love crafting open worlds and intricate combat systems nearly as much as players love engaging with those systems. If you simply must have more Spider-Man, there’s a world of comics waiting for you, but if you need a game that scratches the same itch as “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” one of these will fit the bill.
Batman: Arkham Knight
The “Marvel’s Spider-Man” games offer a superhero fantasy that almost no other game can match in scale. Almost. “Batman: Arkham Knight” is DC’s version of an open world comic book adventure, and it has just as much wish fulfillment, if not more, than “Spider-Man.” Released in 2015, “Arkham Knight” is the third installment of the “Arkham” series, but for gamers fresh off playing “Spider-Man,” there’s no reason not to start here.Â
The game drops players into the heart of Gotham City, which has been overrun by criminals after an attack planned by Scarecrow. There are plenty of familiar faces and hidden Easter eggs for DC fans, but anyone can jump into the game and follow one of the best Batman stories ever.Â
“Arkham Knight” plays like “Spider-Man” in some pretty fundamental ways. Players can use Batman’s grappling hook and cape to swing and glide around the city with nearly as much speed and maneuverability as the web-slinger. Batman’s combo-heavy melee combat skills also feel like Spider-Man’s — probably because the “Arkham” series was a major influence on Insomniac Games while the studio was developing “Spider-Man.”Â
As you might expect, though, billionaire Bruce Wayne has even more gadgets than nerdy Peter Parker. Batman has a suit of tools for players to use, but the highlight is the Batmobile, a roving tank that players can use to patrol and explore the city. “Arkham Knight” gives Insomniac Games a run for its money when it comes to delivering the greatest superhero experience possible.
Sunset Overdrive
Years before Insomniac Games developed “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” the studio created an addictive action title whose DNA is still embedded in the studio’s approach to development. A fantastic game from the 2010s that nobody talks about anymore, “Sunset Overdrive” takes place in the titular city, a futuristic metropolis that’s currently under attack from humans who have mutated after drinking FizzCo’s premium energy drink.
Players control a customizable FizzCo employee who needs to traverse the city, fight the mutated hordes threatening to destroy everything, and ultimately (hopefully) save the day. The story and characters in “Sunset Overdrive” are likely to make you smile, but it’s the gameplay that’ll keep you hooked. Players have access to a range of movement abilities that feel like a mix between skateboarding and parkour mechanics. Insomniac got to go wild here in a way that clearly helped inspire Spidey’s movements in the studio’s future games.
For fans who thought the combat in “Spider-Man” was a little too “Arkham”-inspired, 2014’s “Sunset Overdrive” will feel particularly energizing. The game is filled to the brim with wacky weapons that feel like Spider-Man’s equipment on steroids. Shooting, exploding, harpooning, and laser-blasting enemies stays fresh and engaging even after hours of gameplay. On a pure moment-to-moment basis, “Sunset Overdrive” might even be more fun than the more story-focused “Spider-Man” series.
Ghost of Yotei
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Two years after Spider-Man swung onto the PlayStation 4 and blew everyone away, Sucker Punch’s “Ghost of Tsushima” set a new high bar for the console. “Tsushima” had a compelling narrative, a detailed open world, and an addictive combat system all wrapped up in the best graphics of the PS4 era. The game’s exploration and tense melee combat helped tide “Spider-Man” fans over until Insomniac could deliver the sequel, and today’s gamers suffering from “Spider-Man” withdrawals now have an even better alternative.
2025’s “Ghost of Yotei” keeps everything that made “Tsushima” a hit while introducing a slew of new weapons and abilities and updating the previous game’s already stellar graphics for the PS5 era. Players who have mastered all of Spider-Man’s combos will get hooked on the intricacy of the sword combat in “Yotei.” Anyone who enjoyed exploring the nooks and crannies of New York City will enjoy finding secrets all across the island of Hokkaido, and the story propelling all the action is every bit as enthralling as what Insomniac has cooked up in the Marvel universe. Superhero fans might feel a little reluctant to make the genre jump, but “Yotei” is well worth the risk and is one of just a handful of games that make the PS5 worth buying.Â
Horizon Forbidden West
Sony Interactive Entertainment
There’s a healthy supply of open world franchises on the PlayStation, but the “Horizon” series really stands out from the crowded field. “Horizon Forbidden West” was one of the best games of 2023 according to Metacritic, and we’re comfortable saying that it’s still one of the very best games on the PS5. It’s a sequel to 2017’s “Horizon Zero Dawn,” a mind-blowing open world adventure that had the misfortune of being released just weeks before “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” captured the entire gaming world’s attention.
Don’t worry if you never played the first game. “Forbidden West” gets players up to speed with the wildly imaginative sci-fi setting, where animal-like machines prowl a vibrant post-apocalyptic landscape and the last remnants of humanity fight for survival. The game has a familiar quest-based structure, and players are free to explore the world, fight enemies, and discover secrets as they please. The “Spider-Man” games have some great boss battles and action setpieces, but nothing really compares to fighting giant robot dinosaurs. The plot rushes forward like a sci-fi thrill ride, but long after the story is finished, the setting of “Forbidden West” will be burned into your mind. For fans of cinematic narratives, large-scale exploration, and combat-heavy mechanics, “Forbidden West” is nearly a perfect game.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The wall-crawler himself is always on the frontlines, but the action in “Marvel’s Spider-Man” feels like a group effort. Peter leans on his friends and fellow heroes for support, and the gameplay, especially in the sequel, manages to feel team-based despite being single-player. “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” captures a similar vibe as player-character Cal Kestis works alongside other rebels to fight the Empire and carry on the legacy of the Jedi Order.Â
The story isn’t the only part of 2023’s “Jedi: Survivor” that “Spider-Man” fans will welcome. Cal’s lightsaber- and blaster-based combat abilities play a bit like Spidey’s fisticuffs, though “Jedi: Survivor” is definitely less forgiving with its difficulty. The game isn’t (strictly speaking) open world, but its sprawling levels are full of secrets and side activities for players to discover.
Players feeling a little tired of combat after playing through “Spider-Man” will be happy to know that “Jedi: Survivor” also puts a unique emphasis on puzzle-solving and platforming, especially in some of its secret activities. “Jedi: Survivor” doesn’t have nearly as much in common with “Spider-Man” as some of the other games on this list, but there’s no doubt that it’s going to end up being some Marvel fan’s new favorite game.
