A solid sequel will always deliver some fan favorites, as well as some new faces to meet, and that’s exactly what the full list of Spider-Man 2 characters offers. From the heroes themselves to their ultimate villains, you’ll have a lot of people to catch up with in the latest game.
We spent our time during our 10/10 Spider-Man 2 PS5 review playthrough meeting all of the major characters we could meet in one of the best open world games. So, don your favorite choices of Spider-Man 2 PS5 suits, and pick up one of the best PS5 controllers before you can get (web)stuck into the list of characters below.
Fair warning though, there will be some pretty heavy spoilers within the character descriptions, so here’s your chance to bookmark this article and come back later.
The Spider-Man 2 characters in the PS5 game are:
- Spider Man (Peter Parker)
- Spider Man (Miles Morales)
- Mary Jane (MJ)
- Ganke Lee
- Rio Morales
- Harry Osborn
- Norman Osborn
- Sandman
- Aaron Davis
- Kraven
- Black Cat
- Curt Connors (Lizard)
- Mr. Negative
- Venom
- Wraith (Yuri Watanabe)
- Mysterio
- Scream
- Anti Venom (Peter Parker)
- J. Jonah Jameson
- Tombstone (Lonnie Lincoln)
- Is Harry Venom in Spider Man 2?
Spider-Man (Peter Parker)
After eight years of being New York’s only Spider-Man, saving the day, and stopping supervillains, Peter Parker still struggles with his (alter-ego) work and life balance. However, in the previous game, he rekindled his relationship with Mary-Jane, or MJ, and became a mentor to a new Spider-Man, Miles Morales.
In Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker accidentally obtains the symbiote, an alien lifeform that offers him powerful abilities, at the cost of him becoming angrier and less caring the longer it stays on him. It’s up to Peter’s friends and loved ones to remove the lifeform before it takes over him entirely.
For the latest game in the series, Peter Parker has access to multiple new powers, including some Spider-Arms, which give him more agile-based combos to defeat his enemies, and his new symbiote abilities, which are slower, stronger skills.
Spider-Man (Miles Morales)
Taking the mantle of Spider-Man alongside his mentor, Miles Morales is trying to keep the city safe after his father’s untimely death in the 2018 game. However, the pressure of keeping up with school, keeping his mother happy, and being a Spider-Man is a lot for a young hero.
Miles is one of the first people to notice Peter Parker is acting strangely after donning the symbiote, and will need to be one of the people that will break him out of the power-lust and help pull him out of the symbiote’s spell.
Miles also receives an upgrade to his powers with the latest game, with his bioelectricity powers (confusingly called ‘venom’ too) offering orange and blue variants, the first of which being his standard powers. The latter is an uncontrolled, more explosive offering of abilities, such as a bioelectric chain that affects numerous enemies in one go.
Mary Jane (MJ)
Peter Parker’s long-time on-and-off (currently on) girlfriend, Mary Jane, better known as MJ, has been a reoccurring love interest for the original Spider-Man. She’s a journalist hell-bent on finding the truth, usually putting her in dangerous situations, most of which she can get herself out of.
In Spider-Man 2, MJ is working at the Daily Bugle, underneath Spider-Man’s biggest critic, J. Jonah Jameson. She’s also struggling to realize her talents, after writing her book about Symkaria, which was a commercial failure.
Ganke Lee
Miles’ best friend, and extremely smart companion to his Spider-Man adventures, Ganke Lee knows about our two Spideys’ secret identities, and is willing to help them with whatever issues they have; whether it’s tracking a villain, creating some new Spider-Man gear, or offering advice as someone outside of the situation.
He also goes to Brooklyn Visions, the same school that Miles attends, and is friends with Hailey, Miles’ love interest.
Rio Morales
Miles’ mother and councilwoman, Rio Morales has kept her superhero son on the right path throughout the series, even offering some help in Spider-Man 2 after finding out Miles is Spider-Man at the end of his spin-off game. She’s a loving mother and wants to help her community prosper after her husband’s death.
She typically calls up both of the Spider-Men to offer some assistance, primarily in any issues that are affecting her community. This includes a side quest where some musical instruments are stolen from a museum.
Harry Osborn
Peter and MJ’s long-time friend, who mysteriously “went to Europe” prior to the events of the first game, is back, with the reveal that he was actually in a test tube with an experimental cure to fix his terminal illness. For those who have played the previous games, we know this cure is actually the symbiote.
As Harry returns to normal life, he aims to “heal the world”, just like his mother always wanted before she passed away. Unfortunately, things don’t go to plan once the symbiote starts acting up.
Norman Osborn
Founder of Oscorp, and father of Harry, Norman Osborn is a genius businessman and was previously the Mayor of New York City until his public ratings dropped following the release of Devil’s Breath in the first game, which was a biochemical weapon developed by Oscorp.
He’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that Harry is cured, as heard in many voice notes in the previous games, as well as in Spider-Man 2. In the comics and films, Norman Osborn becomes Green Goblin, Peter Parker’s nemesis and his biggest villain. And it’s likely that Insomniac Games will keep Norman on the same path.
Sandman
Flint Marko, better known as Sandman, is a villain made of… well, sand, who is seen at the start of Spider-Man 2. In the first game, you could find a vial of sand in one of Peter Parker’s backpacks scattered throughout New York, saying that if he opens it, it would release Sandman. It’s unclear how Sandman finally escaped prior to Spider-Man 2.
He is the first villain you face in the game, who is agitated and worried about an incoming threat that’s after him and his daughter, whom he loves dearly. It turns out this threat is none other than Kraven the Hunter, who is attempting to eliminate all of the villains and heroes in New York City.
Aaron Davis (Prowler)
After living a life of crime, and being captured in the Miles Morales spin-off, Aaron Davis, also known as the Prowler, has decided to leave the past behind in an attempt to rekindle his relationship with his nephew, Miles Morales, and his sister-in-law, Rio.
In Spider-Man 2, Miles is tasked with unlocking and finding all of the Prowler Tech caches found across New York, which Aaron lets Miles keep. At the end of his quest line, it’s revealed he has moved into Miles’ apartment building, further proving his attempt to fix relationships with his family.
Kraven
Kraven, also known as Kraven the Hunter, is a ridiculously strong, and passionate hunter who is always looking for the biggest game in the world. His obsession has brought him to New York City, ripe with supervillains and superheroes who he hopes can give him a warrior’s death.
As you play through the game, it is revealed that Kraven is dying of cancer, and wants to die on a hunt as opposed to letting the sickness kill him. He gets his wish when he finally comes across Venom, who is much stronger than him.
Black Cat
Felicia Hardy, better known as the thief Black Cat, was an ex-girlfriend of Peter Parker (but only when he was Spider-Man), and is always attempting to make some big heists. In DLC for the first game, she tricked Peter but ended up repaying him with some vital information to help him stop Hammerhead, and in Miles Morales, a voice note reveals she’s gone straight – well, kind of.
In Spider-Man 2, she is a target on Kraven’s list and is attacked while on the search for the Wand of Watoomb, which she hopes will help reunite her with her lover in Paris. After a chase, and some cooperation, Miles Morales helps her use the Wand of Watoomb to create a portal to France, and she escapes from Kraven’s hunters alive.
Curt Connors (Lizard)
Dr Curt Connors is a terrific scientist and employee of Oscorp (and later, the Emily-May Foundation alongside Harry Osborn), who previously experimented on himself using reptile DNA in an attempt to bring back his severed arm. After some fights with Spider-Man prior to the first game, Peter Parker cures the Lizard. At least, until Kraven drugs him, causing him to become the Lizard again.
In Spider-Man 2, after a lengthy chase and a hard battle, Peter Parker defeats the Lizard, thanks to the symbiote’s help, and cures him. It’s revealed here that Curt Connors found the symbiote on a meteor, and his arm was shot off by an armed soldier once the symbiote attached to him. He believes the symbiote to be evil, and is fearful that no one understands its true nature.
Mr. Negative
Martin Li, better known as Mr. Negative, is a villain capable of bringing the worst out in people, causing them to become criminals. During the first game, he is captured by Spider-Man, where it’s revealed he was experimented on by none other than Norman Osborn.
In Spider-Man 2, he is captured by Kraven during transportation at the Raft super-prison, before being placed in an arena by the hunter to fight for his life. Miles’ hatred for Mr. Negative – who was responsible for the death of his father – comes to a conclusion when he finally realizes that he shouldn’t hold onto hate, and while he cannot forgive him for what he’s done, he can move past it. At the end of the game, Martin Li is a free man, after using all of his powers to save Peter Parker and hoping to do good.
Venom
A towering monster of a villain, Venom is one of Spider-Man’s biggest villains in comics, movies, and now the Marvel’s Spider-Man games. While Venom has had many hosts, in one of the best PS5 games yet, Harry Osborn is the man behind the symbiote. Venom and Harry become the perfect bond following Peter’s removal of the symbiote, and after Harry’s anger against Peter taking his “cure” away from him grows.
Venom’s plan is to take over the world with the symbiote, to create the “perfect Earth”. He attempts to infect the inhabitants of New York with the symbiote to enact his plan but is stopped by Peter and Miles at the end of the game. The symbiote is believed to be completely destroyed, and Harry dies, however, he is brought back by Miles’ bioelectricity powers and is currently in a comatose state.
Wraith (Yuri Watanabe)
Yuri Watanabe is a former Captain of the New York Police Department, who in the first game, helped Spider-Man with information to stop crimes. She’s also one of the main reasons that Peter Parker is finally able to capture the crime lord King Pin. However, in DLC for the first game, she goes rogue, becoming an anti-heroine as she believes the only way to stop crime is by killing criminals.
In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Yuri Watanabe is revealed to be Wraith, who is investigating the Cult of the Flame. She works with Peter in an attempt to stop its leader, The Flame, but Peter fights her when she attempts to kill him. At the end of the questline, The Flame escapes with a test tube holding a part of the symbiote, due to Wraith choosing to save Peter instead of hunt him.
Mysterio
In Spider-Man 2, Quentin Beck, better known as Mysterio, is attempting to rehabilitate into the normal world. As Mysterio, he was one of Spider-Man’s many villains, who was capable of powerful illusions that could trick even the smartest of people. Quentin has now created numerous Mysteriums across New York, using his illusionary tech for entertainment purposes.
The Mysterium side quest sees Miles Morales attempt to save people captured within the illusions by completing challenges in Mysteriums. In the end, Miles fights Mysterio, who is revealed not to be Quentin Beck this time, but rather his business associates, who hoped to frame him while stealing money from rich targets.
Scream
Scream is a new villain for the Marvel’s Spider-Man series, and she is another host for the symbiote after Venom spreads it across New York City. Scream is created when the symbiote infects and takes Mary-Jane as its host, turning her anxiety and worries into a very violent outlet, at least for Peter Parker.
After a long boss fight, Peter Parker is able to defeat Scream and tear the symbiote off Mary-Jane. It’s unclear whether or not the Scream symbiote will return in a future game, and whether MJ will be the host once again.
Anti-Venom (Peter Parker)
In the comics, Anti-Venom was Eddie Brock, who left Venom behind and worked under Martin Li. Using his powers, Martin Li unknowingly cured Eddie’s cancer, and when the symbiote attempted to bond with Eddie again, it became the Anti-Venom symbiote. As Anti-Venom, Eddie Brock was practically immune to any weakness, making him extremely overpowered.
In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, after the city is overrun with the symbiote, it’s revealed that Peter Parker still has some of Venom left inside of him. After being attacked by hordes of symbiotes, Miles Morales and Martin Li work together to use Mr Negative’s powers to save Peter, and in turn, give him the Anti-Venom symbiote. However, it is not immune to everything like Eddie’s was.
It’s unclear as to whether Peter Parker will be able to remove the symbiote in a future game, causing someone else to hold the official mantle for the anti-hero.
Cletus Kasady
Cletus Kasady, also known as The Flame in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, is the leader of the Cult of the Flame, and the one whom Yuri Watanabe is chasing after. It’s revealed during The Flame side quest that Cletus is after a piece of leftover symbiote that Oscorp is transporting. In the end, he successfully gets the symbiote, saying “There will be carnage”.
For those unaware, Cletus Kasady is the supervillain known as Carnage, a symbiote infused with Cletus’ blood who is extremely violet, powerful, and dangerous. It’s clear Insomniac Games are setting this version of Carnage up for the next game, and we’re terrified to see him attack New York.
J. Jonah Jameson
BRING ME SPIDER… MEN? Everyone’s favorite(?) professional Spider-Man hater is back, and JJ’s got more than just a podcast going this time. That’s right, the Bugle’s back in his hands, giving him a two-pronged attack against Peter and Miles.
After having his limo totaled during Sandman’s rampage through the Financial District, you’d think the old boy would have a semblance of gratitude toward Miles for pulling him from the wreckage and dropping him off at the hospital. Then again, this is JJ we’re talking about, and you can imagine how that interaction went down after he regained consciousness…
Fortunately, MJ tells JJ exactly what we’re all thinking in the end, making for one of our favorite moments in the game. Kiss it, JJ.
Tombstone (Lonnie Lincoln)
Lonnie, Lonnie, Lonnie. Once a notorious drug trafficker and gang leader, Lonnie Lincoln has now put his life as Tombstone to rest, relishing his opportunity to reform and live a normal life on Coney Island. Of course, trouble is never too far away, and Lincoln finds himself the target of Kraven’s Hunters.
After being saved from the Hunters’ hideout by Spider-Man and Agent Venom, Lincoln expresses his gratitude, before heading out to a safe space where he can properly prepare for further trouble.
Is Harry Venom in Spider-Man 2?
As confirmed during the story, Harry IS the symbiotic villain Venom during the events of Spider-Man 2’s third act. After finally taking the symbiote off himself, Peter Parker captures it in a test tube to take back to Dr. Connors at Oscorp, but unfortunately, Harry is there waiting and destroys the test tube’s casing, causing the symbiote to return to Harry.
We think this is an interesting (and very different) take on the villain. It gives a lot of emotional stakes for Peter Parker while giving you a decent amount of time to bond with Insomniac’s version of Harry Osborn before he ends up becoming the ultimate antagonist.
Admittedly, this isn’t the first time in Spider-Man’s history that Harry has become Venom. In the Ultimate Spider-Man series, the symbiote was created by Oscorp using Spider-Man’s DNA, and Harry was one of the hosts who eventually became the terrifying villain. However, the story (and downfall) of Osborn is done much better in Insomniac’s version.
Those are all of the Spider-Man 2 PS5 characters in one of the best PS5 open world games right now. You may be hoping to catch up with these characters again in a future Spider-Man 2 new game plus run, at least once it finally releases. But for now, we recommend picking up one of the best TVs for PS5 so you can experience Insomniac Games’ version of New York in the best way possible. Have fun!