Summary
The wait forMarvel’s Spider-Man 2was quite a long one, even withMiles Moraleshelping to tide fans over between installments. Of course, this is now the status quo for AAA development with games taking upwards of five or more years to ship, meaning that the nextMarvel’s Spider-Mangame could easily land in 2028, but thankfully studios are also developing multiple games at a time in order to scatter releases sooner—Marvel’s Wolverine, for example. Even though it might be a while untilMarvel’s Spider-Man 3, though, the threequel already has a lot of established teases to look forward to.
Teases in the sense that there are loose threads Insomniac can now follow up on inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3, such as a potential new protagonist in Cindy Moon’s Silk or a new villain in Kraven’s half-brother, the Chameleon. However, the most hotly anticipated of any teased villains is undoubtedly Carnage, whose build-up and clues leading up to his reveal inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s The Flame side questwere explicit and unabashed in how direct they were. Therefore, once the Flame appeared for the first time, Carnage fans were left without a shadow of a doubt as to what the Flame’s true identity would turn out to be.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Carnage Hid in Plain Sight
Every Clue Hinting That The Flame was Cletus Kasady aka Carnage
If fans are familiar with Carnage’s most popular host at all, the clues were all laid out plainly for them to see inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2. It might’ve actually been a boon for Insomniac to have included the Flame’s side quest in the first game instead of in the sequel since fans might not have anticipated the symbiote connection that early on, but because the symbiote plays an integral role that is also a connection that could have been made early. Moreover, it was nice for The Flame side quest to continue Yuri’s story in a meaningful way, although having her suddenly donning a mask and being skilled with a sickle on the end of a chain was a drastic leap.
On a more literal and on-the-nose point, though, the Flame is a serial killer anarchist with red hair—the precise recipe forCletus Kasadywith nobody else coming close to representing that particular depiction. However, what is definitely hyperbolic is the graphic shirt the Flame wears that has a red tendril pattern on it, and the icing on that cake is the Flame saying “carnage” at the end of his questline as if it wasn’t already made evident in his appearance who he was.
Carnage is Now Setup to Be a Terrifying Threat in Marvel’s Spider-Man 3
Because Carnage’s host could have been anyone—Harry was Venom’s host, for instance—Cletus’ identity could’ve been a wonderful reveal if it wasn’t made clear in his character design who he was. The quest itself admittedly doles this information out in a gradual manner that maintains the surprise for a while, but because the Flame is obscured for so long it increases the suspense of who he is and heightens his importance as a result, similar to how Rio teases she’s seeing someone and then he’s not revealed until the game’s post-credits scene.
Even if the Carnage name-drop wasn’t enough, Yuri does mention that Cletus Kasady is one of the Flame’s aliases. Thankfully, this reveal isn’t stifled at all by its obvious clues since the side quest is highly unique and suspenseful, its character development for Yuri is satisfying after seeing her spiral inMarvel’s Spider-Man’s City That Never Sleeps DLC, and Carnage will likely be a horrifying threat for Spider-Man to come up against in a future entry now.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
