Spider-Man 2 seemingly confirms popular Venom theory
While it looked like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom had Game of the Year in the bag, Nintendo probably didn't count on Insomniac swinging into view with Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The wall-crawling caper is back for more, and from what little we've seen, we're about to redefine the superhero gaming genre all over again.
There was plenty to unpack from Summer Game Fest 2023, and among the biggest reveals of Geoff Keighley's showcase was the release date for Spider-Man 2...finally. Insomniac Creative Director Bryan Intihar was there to share in the hype, but alongside a real date, he seemingly confirmed a popular Venom theory.
Spider-Man 2's Venom is NOT Eddie Brock
While Candyman legend Tony Todd playing Venom should be enough to get you grabbing your PS5 controllers, we're even more intrigued to see how the story of the alien symbiote will play into the lives of Peter Parker and Miles Morales - especially with Kraven the Hunter also in tow.
The first gameplay reveal of Spider-Man 2 left us even more confused, with Parker sporting his symbiote suit and showing off a wide array of Venom powers without seeing the big guy himself. It's clear that Peter isn't Venom, but how he gets infected and who the main person behind the symbiote is, remains to be seen.
Speaking at SGF, Intihar was asked whether we'll follow the typical Venom story of the comics with Eddie Brock being the doomed host. With a slight pause, Intihar confirmed, "It is not Eddie Brock." Weird, as we know Brock exists in this world thanks to an Easter egg of him signing Peter's Daily Bugle leaving card.
Explaining what's going on, Intihar added, "Our goal was to tell an original story, something you haven't seen in the comics and the movies yet. Obviously, we love Venom for a reason, all those things you love about the character are going to be there, but how the story plays out, who is Venom, you'll have to play the game to see."
Spider-Man 2 could confirm major Venom theory
Click to enlargeOthers like Flash Thompson, Mac Gargan, and even Carol Danvers have been hosts to the Venom symbiote over the years, but with Intihar promising something new, we're pretty sure it's Harry Osborn under the suit. Harry is mysteriously MIA, apparently going on a "trip" but actually having a terminal illness.
2018's Spider-Man ended with Norman Osborn in his lab, looking at a tank that contained his son and a symbiote-inspired creature. 2020's Miles Morales teased it further, with Osborn going against Dr. Curt Connors and demanding his son's release. As the camera cut to black, the symbiote has seemingly fully taken control.
If you still aren't convinced, SGF showed off a new piece of Venom concept art, which has a well-placed billboard for the "Emily & May Foundation." May is clearly Aunt May, while Emily is Emily Osborn - Harry's mother who died from the same disease that's afflicting him.
It's possible that Insomniac is trolling us, but with Brock out of the running and nothing being left to chance, the Harry Venom theory makes the most sense right now. We'll be looking for more clues, but come back in October and prove us wrong.