As prep work for the launch of Spider-Man 2, I read through the original run of Venom: Lethal Protector, and rewatched the “Venom Saga” set of episodes in the FOX Kids Spider-Man run. It was a wild ride. The origin of Venom has been done in many different ways, and once again the symbiote is returning to the video game-verse. Let’s talk about how Venom is handled in the game, specifically as it pertains to Peter Parker, one of the two core playable characters in Spider-Man 2.
Note the presence of spoilers for the main story of Spider-Man 2 below!
Do you keep the black suit symbiote costume?
Early into the story, the Venom symbiote makes an appearance in Spider-Man 2 via Harry Osborn, who was given Venom as a medical treatment for an unknown illness. As Peter Parker reconnects with Harry throughout the story, you’ll see the impact that the symbiote has made on his personality, and a taste of the powers and abilities it grants.
Without giving away too much (at least, more than the marketing materials have already spoiled), Peter will gain access to the symbiote in the form of the “black suit” Spider-Man appearance, which also unlocks an entire branch of Peter’s skill tree: filled with symbiote-specific upgrades.
Progressing further with the story will see the Venom symbiote going rogue, and you will temporarily lose access to these powers. Keep this in mind if you’re going hard into the symbiote branch of Peter’s skill tree. With that said, there is an extra bit of info to keep in mind.
So what happens as the story progresses, including after you beat the game?
Much, much later into the campaign (near the end), Peter Parker will have access to the Anti-Venom suit. This allows Peter to not only fight against Venom more effectively but also regain his “symbiote” powers entirely. All of the talents you’ve invested points into will return, and you’ll acquire some new optional Anti-Venom powers. Conveniently, Anti-Venom abilities are direct counters to symbiotes, who you’ll be fighting a lot of at the tail-end of Spider-Man 2 (and in the postgame, in the form of Symbiote Nest points of interest).
So yes, the team at Insomniac cleverly found a way for Peter Parker to effectively keep the symbiote suit through the postgame while allowing it to make sense from a story perspective.
