Spider-Man: Miles Morales

 SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES - REVIEW

     By. Justin Azevedo

Synopsis: After receiving powers from a genetic spider, Miles Morales (Voiced by. Nadji Jeter) was trained by Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Voiced by. Yuri Lowenthal) and helped him defend New York. Now Peter has left New York and entrust the responsibility to protect the City and it's citizens to Miles, as the New Spider-Man. Miles embraces his responsible and does his best to protect the city, but New threats rises as a War between the Roxxon Group and The Underground lead by the Tinkerer wages throughout the City and only Miles can stop it!

Day. 1     

     The Game is set one year after the events of the first Spider-Man Game. We learn in the beginning scene's that people of New York are aware of a New Spider-Man that helps out the Original Spider-Man (Peter Parker). This means that Miles has been helping Peter when he revealed his powers to him and Peter training him in how to use them. When Miles was on an errand for his Mother, he receives a call from Peter, requesting his help in escorting a prisoner convoy that is on the Move. These Prisoner are the one's that escape from the Raft thanks to the help of Doctor Octopus, among them is a member of the Sinister Six,,, The Rhino. 

     When they escorted the convoy, something went wrong, when Rhino started smashing his container which resulted in it crashing and him breaking free, as well as help other prisoners break free from their transport. While Peter dealt with Rhino, Miles faced off against the prisoner, though when he became distracted in the chaos a group manage to escape. Miles then went to go help Peter with Rhino which leads them across New York to a power factory. There Miles saw the prisoners again and dealt with them, however Peter came crashing severely injured, and leaving Miles to deal with Rhino on his own, to which Mile unlocked a New Power within himself, his Venom Blast. This then leads to Miles first Villain fight against Rhino and after defeating him, Miles went to go help Peter. They are soon met with Simon Krieger, who works for Roxxon and a group of Crimson Guards.

     Later on Miles and Peter are discussing the events of what happened and Miles New Power. Though Miles had some guilt in messing up, Peter assures him that he messed up many times when he was starting out. Miles then learns that Peter is leaving town for a few weeks to go with MJ for her work in London and he leaves Miles with a Present and has him take the oath to Protect New York and heads out. Miles then calls his friend Ganke, to meet up with him!

      As we meet Ganke, as Central Park, gain a New Suit that Peter made for him. As he goes out to test his new suit, he comes to face against these Tech Power criminals at a Roxxon Facility. While there Miles learns of a New type of Energy that Roxxon has developed called "Nuform". Later on we go to Miles new home, where he, Ganke and Miles Mother prepare for Christmas Dinner, with a surprise visit of Miles old friend Phin.

      The Next day, we explore the city, taking on crime, as well as the High Tech Villains known as "The Underground", along the way Miles meets his Uncle Aaron Davis,  as he helps him out with his job and Miles learns that Aaron knows that he is Spider-Man. As Miles continues to Explore the City he readies to go meet with Phin.

      The Graphics of the game, the Setting of New York, the Imagery has all great been upgraded since the first game. The Gameplay is similar as it was with the first one, including Combat, like the combo move, healing, and web attacks, but there are new skills, specifically for Mile's Powers like his Venom Blast, where has other features as well. The Game also has location's for training and gaining skill points for upgrades, like the first one.  Another New feature in this game is the Spidey help app, where people request assistance, as well as learning of Crime's that are taking place. Miles also has Gadgets, like in the first game, however they are new one's, like the first gadget he gains which launches a spider-drone, but instead of blasting, it can create Holographic Body for combat assistance. The Music more fitting to Miles Morales, like in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse!

      The First Reference I instantly notice was Mile's Spidey Suit, he wore in the beginning of the Game is greatly Similar to what Miles wore in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse". Also another reference was the Suit he gained from Peter which is the same design as the first Spidey suit he wore in the beginning of his Comic Series "Ultimate Spider-Man.

      The beginning of the game also feature the appearance of Jay Jonah Jameson, and dressed fit for the Holidays (though you probably wouldn't want him coming down your chimney!). This is is first appearance in the Spider-Man Game Franchise as he did not make a appearance in the last game, only in a image when he did his "Just The Facts", which he still continues in this game. However besides Jameson Talk Show, we also have a Podcast run by Danika Hart called "Danikast" and she shows that she is a supporter to the Spider-Men, including Miles when he goes solo!

Day. 2

     As we meet with Phin, we get a flashback scene of Miles, Phin and her Brother's history together, and the time capsule that they hid, which Miles and Phin brought up. As they reminisce, Miles could tell that Phin was keeping something from him and that it concerned her brother, but was unwilling to tell him. She then left, as she had an appointment to attend to, as did Miles in attending his Mother's City Council Rally.

     At the Rally all seemed well, until it was attack by The Underground and the Tinkerer making an announcement against Roxxon. While the Citizens evacuate along with Mrs. Morales and Ganke, Miles suits up and deals with  The Underground. After defeating them, Miles hears explosions coming from a bridge where a Roxxon Transport, carrying Nuform containers is attacked.

     As Miles heads to the Bridge, he comes to face against more Underground People, as well as the Tinkerer where he learns that it is his friend Phin. During the fight, Miles's electrical powers go haywire inside the Roxxon transport which effects the Nuform causing it to surge out of control. While the Tinkerer escapes with a Nuform container, Miles deals with her people and after defeating them, he sees the Nuform in the transport exploding destabilizing the bridge cause it to break apart. Miles works hard to save the people on the bridge and manages to do that. Though he is then confronted by Roxxon troops which were ready to fire at him, however with the people he save defending them, however leading to them being danger, this leads Miles to discover his Stealth ability and disappeared before everyone's eye's, which helped him escape.

      Back at home, Miles is feeling regret over what happened at the Bridge and with Phin, as well as his mother getting injured in the process. Believing that Peter would've done a better job, but Ganke reminds him that he is Spider-Man now, so he needs to do things his way. This motivates Miles and with Ganke help they work on restoring Miles suit as it was Damage, as well as making some upgrade to the design and he is then swinging around in his Black and Red suit!

      Took on the first Side Story of the game which was a robbery at a Bodega, where the owner is looking for his car that he named Spider-Man. We follow the robbers to a Power Factory and after defeating them, we find the cat and return him home. During the Side Story we learn that the robber are part of a unknown gang, lead by someone that they dare not speak of!

     The Graphics of the Game still continue to amaze me, as New York looks so incredible. Also Miles Web Swinging is definitely a great new twist matches his Character perfectly! The Music is still a perfect match to the games setting for Miles Morales and I Like how it the Controller reacts to the Music. Got too see some familiar faces from the first game, first Howard the Pigeon guy who request help from the App (and yes it was in tracking his pigeons again) and Gloria, the homeless girl who came to F.E.A.S.T. and now works there now! A great reference was the Side Story with the Bodega, which is similar to Delmar's Deli-Grocery Bodega in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" even has a cat as well! Another Reference was made to "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" with Miles mother quoting "Our Family doesn't Runaway!".

Day. 4

     Miles begins his search in finding Phin, that leads him to a hardware shop that her parents own. When he arrived, he found the place closed down and boarded up. In his investigation, he finds info, about her Brother Rick, and how they were planning to stop Roxxon in releasing the Nuform energy, as he can cause sickness to which Rick was affected. After learning that Phin and Rick made a raid on a Roxxon facility and that there is more information on went down there, Miles heads there next.

     After Stealthily entering the Facility, Miles is face with the Prowler (who he learned about in a file that belonged to his dad), and he makes the shocking discovery that the Prowler is his Uncle Aaron! Miles ask for his Uncle's help in finding a phone that belong to Phin, to which he agreed. With Aaron's help Miles was able to find the Phone and learned that Rick was killed by Simon Krieger. Miles the then makes his escape with Aaron, after getting out of Roxxon, Aaron then gives Miles the idea to infiltrate The Underground to gain more intel on what they're plans are.

     Miles takes his Uncles advice and meets with Phin, telling her he knows who she truly is (While keeping his identity as Spider-Man a secret) and wants to join her group. Hesitant at first, Phin accepts him, as they make they're way to the Underground's hideout, which is as Fisk Tower, we learn as to how Phin connect to the Underground, as she creates weapons for them to become the Top Gang in New York and they give her their support and follow her in her mission. After learning that the Nuform energy is here, Miles makes a excuse to Phin to leave and then returns as Spider-Man and after making his way to the lower levels, he learns that the Nuform has been moved, after Phin leaves, Miles faces off against the Underground members and then makes his escape!

       Continued also with the Side Mission's in dealing with a Gang that has been terrorizing both the F.E.A.S.T. Center as well as trying to ruin businesses in stealing their inventory. In stopping this Gang, we learn of the motives behind these action's as well as learning that their Boss is a Inmate at the "RAFT"! However we get a lead into about this Gang and who's behind it from a familiar character that Miles has come across.

     I continue to also gather supplies from Underground Stashes, also a new twist in this game is in some stashes, leads to an Ambush by the Underground. Also in recovering the time capsules, we have to move objects or have to sneak in to take it in certain location's, another surprise that the game revealed. Also gaining new gadget's that are somewhat familiar like the New Mine gadget, similar to the Web Mine in the the Last game, but this Mine unleashes a electrical dome! We also gain a new attack feature for the Venom Blast. Another thing unlocked in the game is location's to Villain hideouts, like the last game, only there are fewer hideout in this one!

      The Game made references to Fisk Tower and the Battle between Kingpin and Spider-Man (Peter Parker). Also made a reference to Martin Li and his DEMON Gang!

Day. 6

     After making his escape from the Underground Base, Miles makes his way to the theater, where he learned it is the place where the Nuform was taken, thanks to Ganke's. After disabling the Underground Security system, and defeating the members that were there to protect it. Miles find's the Nuform and learns what Phin has plan for it, to blow up the Roxxon Building Near Harlem! As he attempts to take it, Miles is confronted by Phin, who takes the Nuform and makes her escape with Miles chasing after her. After an intense chase through New York, Miles was able to catch up to Phin, but his attempt to capture her ends with him getting injured and pinned by her. As Phin was about to finish Spider-Man, this leads Miles to reveal his identity to her, which shocks her and lets Miles go. As he tries to talk to her, they are interrupted by police officer's, which distracted Miles, giving Phin the chance to escape.

     After failing to talk to Phin, this leads Miles to go talk to his Uncle Aaron for advice. He meets Aaron at the docks and though he helps Miles regain his confidence, it is shown that Aaron has ulterior motives, when after Miles told him that he plan's to meet Phin at "Trinity Church", Aaron informed someone about where the Tinkerer will be and that they can do whatever they want to her, but to live Miles alone! 

      The Next Day, Miles calls Phin and though she is upset over the revaltion of Miles true identity, she agrees to meet him at The "Trinity Church"! Miles then makes his way to the "Trinity Church" to meet with Phin!

     With the Side Story Mission's, we go meet Hailey (A African American Teenage Deaf Girl, who has made many appearances throughout the Game) who has a lead, on where the Gang causing trouble in Miles's neighborhood and F.E.A.S.T! This leads him to a base, where he takes down the Gang and comes to face with it's leader through a Computer in a Secret Room with the Password "Vanessa"! Miles then speaks to Wilson Fisk, still running thing within the Raft and Fisk threaten Spider-Man in interfering with his business! As Miles makes his way out of the base, he hears from Ganke that Fisk as set his Men to attack a Event going down in his Neighborhood where Hailey is attending as well! Miles then rushes and stops Fisk's men, and he is thanked by Hailey for his heroism!

       Through meeting his Uncle, a new Item finding challenge is  unlocked, where we get to identify sounds and match them to unlock the Story behind Aaron and Jeff (Miles Father). This is another New feature within the game and quite the challenge as well!

       A Great and Important Reference was made in the Game, as we complete a Friendly Request through the App, we are then given a gift through the community of Harlem, a Spider-Man Suit, that is standing next to a Mural Stating "Black Lives Matter"! This shows The Creator's of the Game, their Respect and Honoring the Life" George Floyd"!

Day. 7

     When Miles meets Phin at the Church, she feels betrayed by Miles, but keeping his identity as Spider-Man, while Miles also talks to her about her reason's in doing what she is doing, but wanting to find a better way to stop Roxxon. However Miles soon gets a warning from his Spider sense and are attacked by Roxxon troops and a upgraded "Red Rhino" and are captured!

      They are both taken to a Roxxon Facility, where Simon Krieger interrogates them in trying to find the Location of the Nuform and also planning to experiment on Miles, as his Electric power could be a new energy source for Roxxon to develop. After Simon leaves, Miles is pounded by Roxxon troops, however another New Venom Power awakens, creating and Unleashed Electric Wave through his body, knocking the troops down and freeing him. He then frees Phin and they sneak they're way through the Facility to find a way out. Through they're sneaking around Miles discover his Uncle Aaron, working alongside Simon Krieger and that he was the one who informed Roxxon of his and Phin's location. As they continue forward, Miles discover some evidence against Simon Krieger and the Nuform, however they are both soon attack by Red Rhino and facing him in battle! 

     After defeating Red Rhino, Miles goes back to get the evidence, leaving Phin with Rhino, as he tries to get the evidence he learns that Simon update the Nuform Reactor and if Phin tries to blow it up, it will also destroy Harlem in the process, meanwhile Phin is being antagonize by Rhino, commenting her brother's death and telling her it's her fault he died. This leads her to try to kill him, which she was close, however Miles stopped her, and they're struggle leads them out of the building and into an old rail system, as Miles tries to talk to her, Phin instead attacks Miles relentlessly, causing serious injuries and warns him that if he tries to come after her again, she'll kill him and leaves. Miles gravely injured, manages to call Ganke, who was able to find him.

     Ganke brought Miles back home, where his mother discovers them and learns that Miles is the New Spider-Man! As Ganke leaves, Miles and his mother talk and he tell her everything, about Phin, Tinkerer, The Underground, and Roxxon, as well as the danger that is coming! Miles also tells her that the reason he didn't tell her who he was, is because she didn't want him to worry. She then help Miles and Ganke in evacuating Harlem before it's too late, while Miles goes back out there to find Phin and stop her!

     Completed more of the Scavenger challenges like Underground cashes, Prowlers Mix Tape challenge and Peter training challenges. I through completing these challenges, a New Spider-suit is gained from them that is specific to the challenges as well as to it's related party. In completing the Training Challenges, you get a bonus challenge, that take you to ESU Peter's old Highschool, as you take on a Holographic Vulture, as well as it's twin brother and receive some advice in the important of that battle that Peter discovered within himself when he fought Vulture!

Final Day

     As Miles goes, to search for Phin, he receives a lead from Ganke, that Phin is heading to an abandoned Oscorp Science Museum, where a Science protect he and Phin created is still displayed. As Miles heads to the Museum, he is attacked from behind and knocked out.

     When he wakes up, he is placed in a energy cell, where he sees his Uncle Aaron on the other side. Miles confronts Aaron over, selling him out to Roxxon, however Aaron says, he was trying to protect Miles, and he has taken him to keep him from the battle between Phin and the Underground against Simon and Roxxon. However Miles refuses to sit on the sideline and uses his Venom Blast to break free. Miles then faces off against the Prowler and after a heated battle, facing against Prowlers gadgets and weapon, Miles was able to knock him down and pinned him. Aaron tries to talk Miles into not going, but Miles had to go, because he's Spider-Man and he cannot be what he wants him to be and leaves!

      Miles arrives at the Museum and after taking down Underground guards, he enters building, where he then receives a flashback, of the time the Museum was still operating and he was visiting with Phin. He and Phin wanted to see their Project being displayed, before it was too late. After sneaking they're way through, they see they're project along the way they are united with Phin's brother Rick and the three take a group Photo together! 

     Back at the present, Miles finds they're project, but sees that Phin has already used it for the Nuform. As Miles tries to stop it, he is attack by Phin, who takes the Nuform and leaves Miles facing against her Gang. After beating the Underground Members in the Oscorp Museum, Miles exits out and heads to Harlem!

      On his way to Harlem, he hears from Ganke on the situation with the Underground fighting against Roxxon and turning Harlem into a Warzone. Once he arrives, he was able to find Ganke and his mother, as he try to help them he is attacked by Roxxon, however his Uncle Arron arrived and looked after Miles's mother and Ganke, while he go and stopped Phin. 

     Miles arrives at the Roxxon Facility, but is too late as Phin had injected the Nuform into the reactor. He tries to tell her on what he knew, of Simon tampering with the reactor and that Harlem will be destroyed in the process with the explosion. However Phin refuse too listen and this leads Miles to battle the Tinkerer. As the two fought in the Roxxon building, the reactor started to overload. When Tinkerer pinned Miles to the ground, he asked why he kept fighting, to which he replied "I'm Spider-Man"! and Miles was able to break free from her grip and defeat Tinkerer. After defeating the Tinkerer, she was able to see that the energy that the reactor was unleashing was destroying Harlem and realize Miles was right, but the building then started to collapse and she soon fell, however Miles was able to save her just in time. 

      He then made his way towards the reactor and started absorbing the energy from the reactor. Phin went to his side, and he told her to evacuate as he couldn't hold the energy for long, but Phin used her tech, to take Miles up into the Sky so that he can release the energy safely, but in the process sacrifice herself! The Miles, Ganke and other bystander watched the explosion and Miles falling to the ground. His mother went to his side, while Ganke, Gloria and a few other people of Harlem stayed at a distant and found him alive. As police and News Reporters arrive, they stood in their way, while Rio put Miles mask back on him and he took off. When the reporters asked if they saw who Spider-Man was, one of the people of Harlem said, that "He is our Spider-Man", protecting Miles identity.

     Weeks later, Danika is podcasting the events that took place in New York and Harlem, also proclaiming the arrest of Simon Krieger, thanks to the testimony of Arron Davis, who turned himself in voluntarily. Also congratulating Rio Morales for being elected to be part of the City Council, also commenting on Harlem's own Spider-Man who save the City. Miles is seen walking through his neighbor, interacting with his community, including the one's who know he is Spider-Man! He then goes to meet with Peter, who has return up on the roof, in their Spidey-suits, too which Peter likes his new design. Miles goes on to tell Peter on what he has gain through the experience, and ask if it get's any easier, to which peter says, "Some of it". Miles then goes on in saying that with people like Roxxon, they need to make sure they won't get away in what they're doing, and Peter told him that's something they'll be adding to the "Spider-Man Oath!", they then hear sirens, as Police chase after a car and Miles and Peter Swing after them, to go save the day!

     In the flashback with Miles at the Science Museum, we see that Miles had a encounter with Peter long before the events of the first Spider-Man Game. The flashback also had the cameo appearance of Doctor Octavius, who was with Peter and the Voice Cameo of Jefferson Davis!

     The Battle between Miles and the Tinkerer is a similar experience, like the battle between Peter and Doctor Octopus. Both being friends, with dreams in making a difference, however one falls down the path and leads to conflict with the other.

     In the Mid-Credit scene, we are in Norman's Osborn's secret Lab. Where we see through Harry's eye's as he is still inside the Tank and sees, his father entering and speaks to Dr. Kurt Connors and orders that Harry be release at long last!

     This scene, no doubt serves as a intro to the third installment to the Spider-Man Game Franchise!

     In the End Credit Scene, Miles is at Trinity Church, where he places the Science Project, he and Phin created and says his goodbyes to his oldest friend! 

Overview:

     The Game, truly had incredible Graphics compared to the first game, as well as Awesome Combat Features including the Venom Attacks. The Music, truly matches to the Character of the Game, as well as Main community that is centered in the Game. I will say that the Game did lack in it's Gadget features, also in most scavenger hunts and enemy bases, I thought they were a little too short in comparison to the last game. The Boss Fights with Prowler and The Tinkerer were truly intense, as they're combat capabilities were not like any of the Boss villains in the first game! Also the messages that the game, had including important References to real world issues, truly is a great add and to helps spread that awareness!

      In the end Mid Credits, it contained two messages, the first was Thanking Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pitchell, as well as all the other creators, artist and writers in the Spider-Man franchise in their work and that "No Matter where someone, is from, what they look like, we all have the Potential to be Our Own Heroes"!

     The Second, was in Honoring the Memory of Chadwick Boseman, who playing the Marvel Character T'Challa/The Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Proclaiming him a Noble King and congratulate in his "Strength, Compassion, and Honor, as well as Reverberate for the Next Generation!". Chadwick truly was a Noble Man, as he continued to do great work in acting, creating movies to help inspire us all, all the while keeping his illness a secret, as he wanted to accomplish so much, before his time came!

Wakanda Forever! Chadwick Boseman Forever!

My Review for Spider-Man: Miles Morales is... (Epic)