Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 had so much ambition and an opportunity to be bigger than the first game ever could be. In many ways, the sequel succeeded, but over time, it was clear that what was given in the sequel seems to be all players got. There's a lingering feeling of missed opportunities, especially regarding Cletus Kasady, the twisted cult leader obsessed with fire. This felt like it was supposed to be so much more than what was given, and an obvious DLC would be focused on him.

His chilling introduction in the side missions hinted at his future transformation into Carnage and suggested much more could have been explored. The story cleverly sets up links with Yuri Watanabe’s shift into the Wraith, and it seems like chaotic Carnage could have created a great conflict between the main heroes. The situation raises questions not just about what has been done but about what could have been—a thrilling showdown with Carnage that DLC could have given fans.

Carnage Would've Been The Perfect DLC Villain

Carnage Was Set Up So Well

Carnage is a name that really gets Spider-Man fans excited because he is a popular and beloved villain. He would have been the perfect villain for the DLC in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. With a long history of movies, comics, and games, he's already been established in the fandom. He's the complete opposite of Venom and often appears as a more chaotic threat when Venom is involved. The red symbiote has been a favorite for a long time, and fans normally jump to ask for his inclusion in games and movies.

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His mix of extreme violence and unpredictable behavior always adds something special to any story he’s in. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 set things up nicely for Carnage’s appearance, as he would continue the story focused on the symbiotes and bring more chaos to Spider-Man’s world. It seems almost silly that he wasn't a major part of the story and wasn't the big villain at the end of a DLC.

The introduction of the Flame cult, led by Cletus Kasady, created a great build up to his transformation into Carnage. Not having him in a DLC feels like a huge waste of hype. It's a big missed chance to explore this character in depth and to see how Carnage would clash with Spider-Man, and it seemed like the story was meant to go in that direction. Now that it's not, it makes Carnage's absence in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 hard to accept.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Isn't Getting DLC

There Will Be Nothing More From This Game

It's pretty hard to hear that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 won’t be getting any additional story expansions after its launch. This news means that intriguing plotlines, like the rise of Carnage or Yuri’s development as Wraith, won’t be explored further. While DLC isn't the main reason to buy a game, it's still disappointing when it doesn't happen in a sequel to a game with a lot of DLC.

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The game seemed perfect for more storytelling, but now it looks like it’s being left behind a year after release, which is frustrating. Insomniac took a year to tell players that the new DLC wouldn't be coming. At that time, there was plenty of speculation and growing excitement for DLC. It is not surprising at all that fans were expecting DLC. Insomniac took too long to say nothing would be coming.

This sudden ending is surprising given the rich world and characters that Insomniac worked hard to create, and it seemed like there were still more stories to tell. Instead, the developer is focusing its efforts on the Marvel's Wolverine game, which was revealed three years ago and will likely need most of their resources. While this makes sense for the studio, it leaves a noticeable gap in what many thought would be a developing narrative universe, forcing fans to accept that the stories they were excited about will never be told.

Carnage Feels Like A Wasted Opportunity

There Could Have Been So Much More

In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the introduction of Cletus Kasady and his creepy “Flame” cult felt like more than just a side mission; it set the stage for a major and violent conflict. The game developers built up this character skillfully, hinting at the arrival of the dangerous villain Carnage with careful detail. From Kasady's unsettling character to the reveal of the last symbiote sample, each moment seemed designed to lead to an epic showdown fueled by symbiotes.

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Players were excited about the chance to see this iconic villain in action, eagerly hoping for a dedicated DLC expansion. The storytelling was tight, and anticipation was high. It felt like when it was over, there was just enough to hint that there would be more coming. It was more than a storyteller could ask for, and players were definitely ready for more.

Unfortunately, despite all the signs pointing to a DLC featuring Carnage, it never happened. This isn’t just a minor character being overlooked; it feels like a missed opportunity. The absence of a Carnage-focused DLC isn’t just frustrating; it’s confusing, especially considering how well they set it up. What started as an exciting lead-in was a simple side mission that left players feeling like the story was cut short just before the big finale.

Could Carnage Be A Villain In Spider-Man 3?

Will Carnage Be In The Next Game?

Although it's disappointing that there isn't a dedicated Carnage DLC for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, there's still hope that he could show up as a villain in Marvel's Spider-Man 3. The game’s side missions have laid some interesting groundwork that could be used to create an exciting story for the next main game, possibly making Carnage's role more important than it would be in a DLC. With the Venom symbiote seemingly gone, it raises questions about how Carnage could emerge and why, opening up new storytelling paths that highlight his chaotic nature.

Cletus Kasady, fully transformed into Carnage, could create more chaos than the DLC could offer, making him a serious threat that both Spider-Men would need to deal with. His brutal and unpredictable nature could really test Peter and Miles, pushing them to come up with new strategies and powers that need a full game to explain. This would be similar to how the symbiote challenged Peter in the last game.

Having Carnage as a main antagonist could be just what the sequel needs if it doesn't play too much on what's already happened. Even though a DLC featuring him won’t happen. It's something that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 players can hold out hope for. This disappointment could lead to much bigger wins in the future.

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Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Open-World
Action-Adventure
Superhero
Released
October 20, 2023
ESRB
T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Insomniac Games
10/10

Publisher(s)
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Franchise
Spider-Man
Platform(s)
PC