Spider-Man 2 DLC: Why Insomniac Says No and What Fans Can Expect Instead

ByEmily

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has been an undeniable hit, both critically and commercially, solidifying its place as one of the biggest successes for the PS5. The game has captivated players with its engaging storyline, dynamic gameplay, and stunning visuals—making it an instant fan favorite.

However, despite this massive success, the biggest point of discussion isn’t the game itself but rather Insomniac Games’ confirmation that there won’t be any story-based DLC for Spider-Man 2. This decision has left fans puzzled, especially considering that the original Spider-Man game offered multiple DLC expansions, like The City That Never Sleeps trilogy, which added depth and extended the game’s narrative.

With such a strong foundation and fan demand, it’s no surprise that players are wondering—why stop now?

Spider-Man 2- Sony

Spider-Man 2 Has No Story DLC – What We Know

Unlike its predecessor, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will not be receiving any story-based DLC. This news was officially confirmed by Insomniac Games through the PlayStation Blog and various interviews, leaving fans both surprised and disappointed.

In contrast, the original Spider-Man game featured a post-launch DLC trilogy, The City That Never Sleeps, released shortly after the base game’s debut in 2018. These expansions added new characters, missions, and extended storylines, providing players with fresh content and new challenges long after completing the main story.

Many fans speculated that Spider-Man 2 would follow a similar path, especially with hints of potential future storylines—like the subtle references to clones and the setup for Carnage teased within the main game’s narrative. However, Insomniac has confirmed that this will not be the case, leaving fans curious about what’s next for the web-slinger’s universe.

Spider-Man 2- Sony

🕷️ Why Spider-Man 2 Skipped Story DLC: What’s Next for the Franchise?

Instead of offering story-based DLC, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has focused on adding features like New Game+ mode, new suits, and an expanded photo mode. While these additions are welcome and enhance the overall gameplay experience, they don’t provide the deep narrative content that fans had hoped for—especially after the cliffhangers and hints scattered throughout the main story.

❓ Why Did Insomniac Skip Story DLC?

The main reason behind the lack of narrative DLC seems to be Insomniac’s focus on sequels. This isn’t the first time a developer has reworked DLC concepts into full, standalone games. A similar approach was seen with Uncharted: The Lost Legacy—originally intended as DLC before becoming a separate title—and could even be a strategy we’ll see with future games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

For Spider-Man 2, it’s possible that some of the ideas originally planned for DLC are being reserved for a potential Spider-Man 3. Given how the sequel has hinted at major storylines, like the introduction of Carnage or even potential clone sagas, it’s likely that Insomniac is saving these big narrative beats for a larger, more ambitious follow-up rather than releasing them as short expansions.

🔮 What’s Next for Spider-Man Fans?

While skipping DLC may be disappointing for some fans, it could mean that Insomniac is putting all their creative energy into making Spider-Man 3 an even bigger and more complete experience. In the meantime, players can enjoy the newly added features and look forward to what’s sure to be another thrilling chapter in the web-slinger’s journey.

Screenshot: Sony Interactive Entertainment

🕷️ Why Spider-Man 2 Isn’t Getting Story DLC: What’s Next for Insomniac?

With Marvel’s Wolverine currently in development for a 2025 release, it’s clear that Insomniac Games has a lot on its plate. Given the significant budget and resources dedicated to this major project, it seems the studio decided that developing story DLC for Spider-Man 2 just wasn’t worth the time or effort.

🎯 Strategic Development: Why Story DLC Was Scrapped

Leaked reports suggested that Insomniac initially had plans for three character-themed DLCs featuring:

  • 🩸 Carnage
  • 🪲 Beetle
  • 🕸️ A Spider-Verse tie-in

However, these DLC concepts were allegedly scrapped in favor of larger projects—most notably, a potential Venom spin-off game. Though this project has not been officially announced, speculation has surged as Insomniac appears to be reallocating resources toward bigger, standalone experiences rather than smaller post-launch expansions.

🕷️ A Standalone Venom Game on the Horizon?

Rumors have been swirling for some time about Insomniac working on a standalone Venom game, much like what they did with Spider-Man: Miles Morales. If developed, this game could offer a deeper dive into Venom’s story, potentially serving as a bridge between Spider-Man 2 and a future Spider-Man 3.

While no official confirmation has been made, the decision to forgo DLC has only fueled speculation that Insomniac’s focus has shifted toward larger, more ambitious projects.

🎮 Fan Reactions: A Mixed Web of Opinions

The absence of DLC for Spider-Man 2 has sparked a range of reactions from fans:

  • 😕 Disappointment: Many fans were hoping for more narrative content, especially given the unresolved story threads left dangling at the game’s end.
  • 🤔 Understanding: Some believe Insomniac made the right choice by focusing on delivering high-quality, standalone experiences rather than piecing together smaller expansions.
  • 😡 Frustration Over Communication: Fans expressed dissatisfaction with how long it took for Insomniac to officially confirm there would be no DLC, leading to months of speculation and mounting disappointment.

📈 The Bigger Picture: A Massive Success Without DLC

Despite the absence of story expansions, Spider-Man 2 has been a massive success in its own right:

  • 💰 Record-Breaking Sales: Sold 2.5 million units in just 24 hours and surpassed 11 million copies sold by April 2024.
  • 🏆 Critical Acclaim: Earned a 90 Metascore and an impressive 8.8/10 fan rating.
  • 🎮 Gameplay Innovations: Expanded the franchise’s narrative while introducing fresh mechanics and gameplay innovations.

Even with a budget reportedly three times larger than its predecessor, Insomniac seems more focused on creating complete, polished experiences from the start rather than post-launch content additions.

🎯 Takeaway: Is No DLC the Right Move?

While it might be disappointing that Spider-Man 2 won’t receive story DLC, this could signal a shift in Insomniac’s strategy. Rather than offering minor expansions, the studio seems to be prioritizing full standalone games—like a potential Venom title or an inevitable Spider-Man 3.

Though fans may miss out on additional story content, the exceptional quality of Spider-Man 2 and Insomniac’s ambitious future projects offer plenty of reasons to stay excited.

For now, Spider-Man 2 stands as its own blockbuster success, laying a strong foundation for exciting adventures ahead—both within the Spider-Man universe and beyond.