Warning: Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.WhileMarvel’s Spider-Man 2fans may be focusing on the bigger villain teases like Doc Ock and Green Goblin, the game’s side missions manage to set up a few other antagonists for the next entry in the franchise. Assuming that aMarvel’s Spider-Man 2DLCdoes not happen that revolves around them, both Carnage and Chameleon are likely to be used in the next game. While it is easy to imagine a boss battle with Carnage, as well as new Symbiote enemy types created by Cletus Kassidy, it is harder to think about how Chamelon could be used. As such, Insomniac Games has to be careful that Chameleon is not a letdown like Hush fromBatman: Arkham Knight.
Part of the issue with Chameleon is his ability set. A master of deception, Chameleon can disguise himself as anyone using masks and technology, making him a terrific criminal and a person that regular people have good reason to fear. However, against a superpowered figure likePeter Parker or Miles Morales, it is hard to imagine him putting up much of a fight. Perhaps Insomniac can make him more formidable by having him use his half-brother Kraven’s potions, but no matter what, it has to find a way to make his content hit harder thanArkham Knight’s Hush side mission.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Has To Use Its Disguise-Focused Villain Better Than Batman
Batman: Arkham Knight’s Use of Hush Left a Lot to Be Desired
For those unfamiliar with Hush, he is a master of disguises like Chameleon. Otherwise known as Thomas Elliot, he is an unhinged childhood friend ofBruce Waynewho became jealous of the billionaire and endured extensive facial surgery to become him, which he would then use to wreak havoc in Bruce Wayne’s life.Batman: Arkham Knightsaw Hush briefly taking over Wayne Tower using this tactic, but his coup lasts only minutes, as Batman stops him with ease. Considering howBatman: Hushwas one of the best comic book stories of the 2000s, treating a great villain like an afterthought was one of the more disappointing parts of theArkhamtrilogy’s grand finale. Fans were hoping for a boss fight and a main story role, as Hush could have provided both.
Part of the reason why Hush was likely viewed as such a letdown is that players had to put work into seeing him inBatman: Arkham City. A special scene was unlocked withHushafter tracking down his victims throughout the city, and fans wrongfully assumed that he would have a big role in the sequel because of this teaser.
How Insomniac Games Can Make Chameleon Memorable in Marvel’s Spider-Man 3
Fortunately for Insomniac Games, there would not be the same level of backlash if Chameleon was relegated to a supporting role. He is far from the big threat that someone likeDoc Ockis, so unlike Hush, he is not a character to build a lot of main story content around. At the same time, his side mission role needs to be a memorable one, which will be difficult to pull off without a boss fight at the end - something that is hard to imagine unless Chameleon is buffed to have superhuman abilities.
Perhaps another lesson could be learned fromBatman: Arkham Knight, with the random Man-Bat appearances used as inspiration for Chameleon. Instead of jumpscares, Chameleon could randomly ambush one of the Spiders as a civilian, keeping players on their toes whenever they are near crowds. These civilian fights could be brief, with Chameleon escaping as soon as he realizes he cannot beat the Spider-Men, and Peter or Miles could eventually taking him down after several short fights. Alternatively, his side missions could skip fighting and instead aim to offer good storytelling above all else, with Chameleon disguising himself as Uncle Aaron to get to Miles orMary Jane Watsonto deceive Peter. He could even torment one of them with their dead family members. No matter what approach it takes, Insomniac has to avoid wasting Chameleon like theArkhamgames wasted Hush, as anything would be better than another forgettable five-minute sequence.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
