PSA: Don’t skip the Spider-Man 2 side quests

destructoid.com:

Part of what makes our friendly neighborhood Spidey so special is his care and compassion for community. In Spider-Man 2, side quests reinforce some of the series’ guiding ideals: heroism isn’t always about taking down larger-than-life villains, like The Sandman. Sometimes, your challenges require a more thoughtful touch.

Peter and Miles often face an onslaught of action in New York, but Spider-Man 2 side quests offer moments of respite. They’re opportunities to truly live in the Big Apple, listening to citizens’ stories, and enjoying an extra puzzle or two.

A few truly stand out to me, like when Miles tries to help a classmate ask his boyfriend out to prom. It’s simple and straightforward, but the perspective is sweet as Vijay prepares to ask his beau out in a grand fashion. The TV Vijay plans on using won’t connect to the power, so Miles tries to reroute electricity to the shoddy screen. Spider-man 2’s simplistic, rewarding puzzles connect one node to the next, guiding the love story as you go. The whole sequence offers an adorable, thoughtful touch. As someone who’s bisexual, it’s one of those intimate details I just appreciate.

Another mission sends Miles to find the mascot for his school. It’s been locked away by a rival school, hidden behind more difficult puzzles this time. The cheeky writing and the puzzles use reflecting lights between mirrors, the tone more than makes up for any moments of frustration in finding a solution. You also get neat interactions between Miles’ crush, Hailey, and our hero as they try to figure out each clue presented. It demonstrates their comradery, as Spider-Man’s side quests add brilliant layers of context and background to Miles Morales.

Then there’s a favorite — a touching moment