As always with Insomniacs games, there are many hidden secrets to discover and optional extras to use in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Changing the colors of the suits in Spider-Man’s arsenal is one such fun example, as is the ability to interact with various citizens across New York. In fact, nuanced decisions are made at every level of this title’s development to ensure the experience is as fulfilling as possible.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 might have laid the groundwork for future releases, but for now it’s still in the spotlight and one of the features to discuss is the ability to change the time of day. This element has been present in the previous titles, but here players have even more control. So the big question is, how can players actually make this customizable change and why is it so important that they can?
How to change the time of day
Players can easily switch between different eras
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Players must first press the Options button on the DualSense controller. Once this pause menu is open, players must access the Settings. Here they will find numerous options to change the game, but they must click on the “Gameplay” section. When entering this submenu The very first option they find is the phrase “time of day.” All customizations can be made here and players can make their selections from the list provided.
What is particularly impressive is that, like other titles on the PlayStation 5, there is no loading screen for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This means that once players have made their choice (whether during the main run or post-game) and changed the time and thus made an aesthetically-driven change, the process will automatically trigger and players will find that it has happened almost instantly across the entire map.
Daily options the player can choose:
- standard
- day
- Night
- Morning
- sunrise
- sunset
- dusk
- Covered
The list of options is certainly impressive and shows true diversity. All of the options were put into the game because they appear somewhere in the story. The first option is ‘Standard’, which gives players a neutral default setup. Then there’s ‘Day’, a bright and cheery setting that feels right for the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. ‘Night’ contrasts this well, with the dark hues of the sky making the missions that much more dramatic. ‘Morning’ and ‘Sunrise’ offer two more light-based options, the latter of which can paint beautiful colors across the clouds.
Sunset and Dusk are equally ambitious and cinematic, and are hugely popular with fans. And then there’s Overcast, a grey and potentially stormy background that often highlights the symbiote’s influence on Spider-Man. Each of these styles has its pros and cons, and fans can choose a particular style and stick with it for the rest of their session as they move through the city in style. However, it’s definitely worth double-checking your chosen option after completing a story-based mission, as some changes may have been made due to gameplay requirements.
The time of day can have a big impact on gameplay
From sound to photography, the time of day is very influential
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While it’s cool to be able to change the time of day, many may wonder what the point is. This ability has many benefits and players are already exploring them all. First, there’s the photo mode to consider. Players can create their own cinematic shots anywhere in the game, and the ability to edit the background they’re photographing is a big part of that..
Some truly stunning comic-inspired images have been created by the players and show how amazing the visuals are in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. If players want to capture an epic image on the side of the Avengers building or a mysterious and mystical shot of Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum, they’ll find that changing the time of day can have a big impact. There are other ways to edit photos, but this is a great foundation that will ultimately shape the final result.
The tone of the game is also something to consider. Players may find that their fights feel more intense and the atmosphere more dangerous when a more dramatic backdrop is chosen. Some may prefer to play at sunrise, embodying the hope that Spider-Man represents and saving civilians across New York. Others may want to face their toughest enemies as night falls and locals become more fearful of what lurks in the dark. For some, this may not be a notable change, but others really appreciate being able to tell the stories they want to see, with these niche options available throughout the game.
Changing the time of day is a simple and intuitive process that comes with many benefits. There’s no doubt that future Insomniac Marvel titles will offer these same options, but who knows what else they’ll bring? There may be even more choices coming that go beyond players’ aesthetic designs. What’s clear is that Insomniac will continue to listen to the community, and if they appreciate these empowering steps, they’ll continue to show up.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 offers players endless possibilities
The title focuses on nuanced decisions that can affect everything
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Insomniac has always made sure to give players real choice throughout the game. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the plot is affected by the player’s movements. This is a set story that will always play out the same no matter what the player does. But in other ways, players can customize Spider-Man and his setup however they want. There are more options when it comes to gadgets and the speed at which players want to upgrade them. There is a larger wardrobe available, with variations of each costume as players progress through the menu.
Of course, players can even choose who they want to complete a mission with, switching between Miles and Peter and their ever-evolving abilities. There’s no telling what other options future DLCs will give players. With all of these choices available, the ability to choose the time of day Spider-Man is active may seem like a tiny and insignificant detail. However, players have found great uses for this option, many of which will be discussed in more detail later.
It should be noted that despite the fact that all these decisions were placed in the hands of the fans, when it comes to the time of day, there are certain cases where this special adjustment is taken away. Sometimes the narrative needs to take place at specific times to make sense within the context of the larger plot. Some of the most epic moments, like Kraven’s defeat, occur at night, with the drama of twilight and the majesty of the weather system drawing the audience into the narrative.
In moments like these, suddenly fighting in the middle of the day wouldn’t feel right, and in some cases it would even cause continuity issues. As such, the time of day is incredibly important in some missions, as Insomniac uses this tool to cement the story arcs that are emerging. In normal gameplay, however, the power goes back to the player. This is a similar structure that the developers use for other aesthetic changes, such as Spider-Man’s costume. In some key cases, the game automatically makes the choice for the player, allowing the creative team’s vision to be fully realized.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
The Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales return for an exciting new adventure in the critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise.
Open world
Action adventure
- Platform(s)
- PS5
- Released
- October 20, 2023
- developer
- Sleepless games
- Publisher)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Motor
- Insomnia Engine v.4.0
- ESRB
- T for Teens due to blood, drug references, mild language, violence
- How long does it take to hit?
- 20 hours
- X|S Improved
- NO
- Metascore
- 90
- PS Plus availability
- N/A
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Yes
- Save cross
- NO
- Cross-platform gaming
- NO
