Horizon Zero Dawn vs Marvel's Spider-Man 2

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-player Only
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic 31st Century Earth (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming)
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows PC, PlayStation 5 (via Backward Compatibility & Remaster)
• Initial Release (PS4): 2017-02-28
• PC Release (Complete Edition): 2020-08-07
• Remastered Release (PS5, PC): 2024-10-31
• Unique Feature: Unique post-apocalyptic world with robotic creatures, compelling story of Aloy, strategic machine combat by targeting weak points, machine overriding.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: None (Single-Player Only)
• Setting: Marvel's New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn)
• Platforms: PlayStation 5
• Unique Feature: Play as both Peter Parker & Miles Morales, Web Wings Traversal, Symbiote Powers, Expanded NYC Map, Seamless Character Switching.

• Rost (Early Game Mentor): Aloy's adoptive father and mentor during her childhood and adolescence. He teaches her essential survival, hunting, and combat skills. He is not a persistent companion throughout the main journey but is a crucial character in her formative years.
  Human (Nora Outcast)
• Various Story Allies (Temporary): Throughout her journey, Aloy teams up with various individuals for specific quests or story segments (e.g., Erend, Sona, Varl, Talanah, Aratak & Ourea in The Frozen Wilds). These allies fight alongside her but are not permanent, controllable companions.
  Human (Nora, Carja, Oseram, Banuk)
• Overridden Machines (Temporary Mounts/Allies): Aloy can use her spear to override certain types of machines. Some (like Striders, Broadheads, Chargers) can be used as mounts for faster travel. Others might fight alongside her for a limited time if their combat protocols are enabled during the override.
  Robotic Machines

• Peter Parker / Spider-Man (AI - when playing as Miles): During certain missions or open-world encounters when the player is controlling Miles, Peter will fight alongside him as an AI-controlled companion, using his unique abilities, gadgets, and web-swinging.
  Human (Superpowered)
• Miles Morales / Spider-Man (AI - when playing as Peter): Similarly, when the player is controlling Peter, Miles will often assist as an AI companion, utilizing his Venom Powers, camouflage, and web-swinging.
  Human (Superpowered)
• Temporary Story Allies (e.g., Wraith, MJ, Ganke - contextual): In specific story missions, other characters like Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) might fight alongside the Spider-Men. MJ provides intel and participates in stealth/investigation segments. Ganke offers remote tech support.
  Human

• Vantages: Datapoints found at scenic overlooks. When activated, Aloy's Focus reveals a glimpse of the Old World location as it once was, along with an audio log from a man who documented the fall of civilization. There are 12 in the base game.
• Metal Flowers: Mysterious, artificial glowing flowers with intricate designs, found hidden throughout the world. Collecting sets of them unlocks rewards from a specific merchant in Meridian. There are 30 in the base game.
• Banuk Figures (Arnak's Figures): Small wooden effigies of Banuk hunters and machines, often found in high, difficult-to-reach places, usually requiring climbing or precise jumps. There are 6 in the base game.
• Ancient Vessels: Old World coffee mugs with various designs. Found in ancient ruins and can be traded to a collector in Meridian for special reward boxes. There are 12 in the base game.
• Grazer Training Dummies: Training dummies set up by the Nora tribe in the Sacred Lands. Destroying all 23 of them grants a small reward and an achievement/trophy.
• Power Cells (for Shield-Weaver Armor): Five rare Power Cells hidden in specific Old World ruins and main quest locations. Collecting all of them is required to unlock the Shield-Weaver outfit.
• Animal Figurines (The Frozen Wilds DLC): Six animal-themed figurines hidden within 'The Cut,' the new region in The Frozen Wilds expansion. Part of a side quest.
• Pigments (The Frozen Wilds DLC): Sets of colorful mineral pigments found in The Cut. Collecting these allows a Banuk shaman to create special dyes for Aloy's outfits and face paint.

• Spider-Bots: Small, spider-shaped robots hidden throughout all boroughs of New York City. Collecting them all unlocks a unique cutscene related to the Spider-Verse. They emit a pulsing signal when nearby.
• Marko's Memories (Sandman Crystals): Orange crystals containing fragmented memories of Flint Marko (Sandman). Found in specific areas related to Sandman's past. Collecting them completes a side story about his attempts to reconcile with his daughter.
• Photo Ops: Specific landmarks or scenes in New York City that Peter or Miles can photograph for a news/social media feed. Highlights iconic NYC locations and slice-of-life moments.
• Prowler Stashes: Hidden caches of technology and resources left by Aaron Davis (The Prowler) for Miles. Each stash requires solving a light environmental puzzle or using specific traversal abilities to access.
• EMF Experiments (Emily-May Foundation): Scientific research stations set up by the Emily-May Foundation (run by Harry Osborn). Peter must complete mini-games or tasks at each station, such as analyzing plant DNA, flying a drone through targets, or testing new technologies.
• Unidentified Targets (Kraven's Drones): Kraven's hunter drones flying specific routes. Spider-Man must chase them down using Web Wings and perform an aerial takedown to retrieve their data.
• Hunter Blinds & Bases: Kraven's hidden observation posts (Blinds) and larger fortified bases. Clearing these out involves defeating waves of hunters and destroying their equipment, weakening Kraven's presence in a district.
• Tech Crates (Common & Rare): Chests containing Tech Parts (common) and Rare Tech Parts (rarer, often in more hidden or guarded locations). Used for upgrading gadgets and Suit Tech.
• FNSM App Requests (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man App): Minor side activities and requests from citizens accessed via an in-game app, such as stopping petty crimes, rescuing civilians, or helping with small tasks.

• Post-Apocalyptic
• Nature vs. Technology
• Tribal Societies
• Matriarchy
• Mystery of the Past
• Artificial Intelligence
• Identity & Belonging
• Survival
• Environmentalism
• Ancient Civilizations
• Machine Ecology

• Dual Protagonists
• Symbiote Saga
• Mentorship & Partnership
• Responsibility
• The Darkness Within
• Hunter vs. Prey
• Balancing Personal Life & Heroism
• Legacy
• Protecting New York City
• Alien Threat

• Spear (Lancer): Primary Melee Weapon
  Aloy's versatile spear used for light and heavy melee attacks, critical strikes on downed machines, and prying open components. Can be upgraded with modifications.
• Hunter Bow: Ranged (Versatile Bow)
  A balanced bow capable of firing Hunter Arrows (basic damage), Fire Arrows (burning damage over time, igniting blaze canisters), and Hardpoint Arrows (high tear and damage).
• Sharpshot Bow: Ranged (Precision Bow)
  A long-range bow designed for high precision and damage. Fires Precision Arrows (high damage, good tear), Tearblast Arrows (removes machine components), and Harvest Arrows (increases resource drops from components).
• War Bow: Ranged (Elemental Bow)
  A bow specialized in delivering elemental damage. Fires Shock Arrows (stuns machines, detonates shock canisters), Freeze Arrows (makes machines brittle, increases impact damage), and Corruption Arrows (causes machines to attack anything nearby, including other machines).
• Tripcaster: Tactical Trap Tool
  Deploys tripwires between two points that trigger an effect when crossed by an enemy. Available wires include Shock Wires (stun), Blast Wires (explosive damage), and Fire Wires (burning).
• Ropecaster: Tactical Immobilization Tool
  Fires ropes that can tie down machines to the ground, immobilizing them temporarily for easier targeting of weak points or overriding. Can be upgraded for heavier ropes.
• Sling: Ranged (Elemental Bombs)
  Launches elemental bombs in an arc. Types include Freeze Bombs (area freeze effect), Shock Bombs (area shock effect), and Blast Bombs (area explosive damage).
• Rattler: Ranged (Close-Quarters Bolts)
  A rapid-fire bolt gun effective at close to medium range. Fires Metal Bolts (standard damage), Shock Bolts (shock damage), and Freeze Bolts (freeze damage).
• Tearblaster (Craftable Weapon): Specialized Tool (Component Removal)
  A craftable weapon that fires compressed air blasts, highly effective at tearing off machine armor and components without dealing significant health damage.
• Stormslinger, Icerail, Forgefire (Frozen Wilds DLC Weapons): Specialized Elemental Weapons
  Unique elemental weapons introduced in The Frozen Wilds expansion. Stormslinger (electricity), Icerail (frost), and Forgefire (fire) offer powerful, charge-up attacks with unique mechanics.

• Web-Shooters (Standard): Traversal/Utility/Combat
  Core tool for web-swinging, zipping, and creating web lines. Used in combat to web up enemies, pull objects, or perform web strikes. Both Peter and Miles have them.
• Gadgets (Web Grabber, Upshot, Ricochet Web, Concussion Burst, etc.): Tactical/Crowd Control
  A variety of unlockable and upgradable gadgets shared by both Spider-Men. Examples: Web Grabber pulls multiple enemies together, Upshot launches enemies into the air, Ricochet Web bounces between targets.
• Peter's Spider-Arms: Melee/Special Attacks (Peter Parker)
  Mechanical arms deployed from Peter's suit (inspired by Iron Spider). Used for powerful area-of-effect attacks, parrying heavy attacks, and extended melee combos.
• Peter's Symbiote Abilities (Symbiote Strike, Symbiote Punch, Symbiote Surge, etc.): Melee/Special Attacks (Peter Parker - Symbiote Suit)
  When Peter is bonded with the Venom symbiote, he gains access to aggressive tendril-based attacks, enhanced strength, and a powerful 'Symbiote Surge' mode. These replace his Spider-Arm abilities while the suit is active.
• Miles's Venom Powers (Venom Punch, Venom Smash, Venom Jump, Chain Lightning, Galvanize, etc.): Bio-Electric Melee/Special Attacks (Miles Morales)
  Miles's unique bio-electric abilities. Used for stunning enemies, powerful area-of-effect attacks, enhanced jumps, and chain attacks. Consumes Venom Power meter, which recharges.
• Miles's Camouflage (Invisibility): Stealth Ability (Miles Morales)
  Miles can turn temporarily invisible, allowing him to perform stealth takedowns, escape combat, or reposition. Consumes Camouflage energy.
• Fists & Feet (Melee Combat): Close Quarters
  Both Spider-Men engage in acrobatic hand-to-hand combat, incorporating punches, kicks, dodges, and aerial attacks, often integrated with web abilities.

• Nora Brave Outfit (Starting Outfit): Aloy's initial outfit, offering basic protection. Multiple variants can be acquired, providing minor resistances or stealth benefits.
• Carja Blazon Outfit: Ornate Carja attire, often providing resistance to fire damage. Available in light, medium, and heavy variants with increasing protection and modification slots.
• Banuk Sickness Eater Outfit: Banuk tribal wear, typically offering resistance to freeze or corruption damage. Available in different tiers.
• Oseram Arrow Breaker Outfit: Sturdy Oseram-made armor, primarily providing increased resistance to ranged projectile damage. Comes in light, medium, and heavy versions.
• Nora Silent Hunter Outfit: Specialized Nora outfit designed to enhance stealth, making Aloy harder for enemies (humans and machines) to detect.
• Shield-Weaver Outfit (Unique Ancient Armor): A highly sought-after ancient armor set that generates a rechargeable force field, absorbing a significant amount of damage before needing to recharge. Unlocked by finding all Power Cells.
• Frozen Wilds Outfits (e.g., Banuk Chieftain, Carja Blazon Master): New outfits introduced in The Frozen Wilds DLC, often with unique perks or higher stats, tailored for the challenges of the new region. Many offer enhanced elemental resistances.
• Modification Slots: All outfits have modification slots (number varies by rarity/tier) where 'Weaves' can be inserted to further boost resistances (melee, ranged, fire, freeze, shock, corruption) or enhance stealth.

• Spider-Suits (Various for Peter & Miles): Players unlock and can equip a large variety of Spider-Suits for both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, suits are primarily cosmetic. Suit Powers from the first game are now integrated as unlockable abilities or tied to Suit Tech upgrades. Many suits come with multiple 'Suit Styles' (color variants) that can be unlocked.
• Suit Tech Upgrades (Health, Damage, Focus, Traversal): Players use Tech Parts and Rare Tech Parts to purchase universal Suit Tech upgrades. These upgrades are divided into categories (Health, Damage, Focus, Traversal) and provide passive stat boosts or enhancements that apply to whichever suit Peter or Miles is currently wearing. This system replaces individual suit powers from the first game.

• Nora Outfits (Brave, Protector, Silent Hunter, Survivor): Various outfits reflecting Nora tribal craftsmanship. Each set (often available in Light, Medium, Heavy variants) provides different resistances (e.g., melee, ranged, fire, freeze, shock, corruption) and can be enhanced with modifications (weaves).
• Carja Outfits (Silks, Blazon, Shadow): Ornate and functional attire from the Carja Sundom. Typically offer good fire resistance or other combat/utility perks depending on the specific set. Available in tiered versions with modification slots.
• Banuk Outfits (Sickness Eater, Ice Hunter, Chieftain - Frozen Wilds): Outfits adapted for the harsh, cold environments of the Banuk lands. Often provide high freeze resistance and unique perks related to survival or machine interaction. The Frozen Wilds DLC adds more advanced Banuk attire.
• Oseram Outfits (Sparkworker, Arrow Breaker): Sturdy, practical gear crafted by the Oseram tribe, known for their metalworking. Often provide good melee or ranged damage protection.
• Shadow Carja Outfits (Kestrel): Darker, more menacing attire associated with the Shadow Carja faction.
• Shield-Weaver Outfit: A unique and powerful ancient armor that generates a rechargeable energy shield. Cannot be modified but provides exceptional protection. Unlocked via a specific side quest involving Power Cells.
• Pre-order / Deluxe Edition Outfits (Nora Keeper, Carja Storm Ranger, Banuk Trailblazer): Cosmetic outfits that were part of pre-order bonuses or included in the Deluxe/Complete Editions of the game.

• Peter Parker's Spider-Suits: A wide array of unlockable suits for Peter, including his Advanced Suit 2.0, Classic Suit, Symbiote Suit, Iron Spider-inspired suits, movie suits, and original designs. Most suits are cosmetic, with abilities tied to Suit Tech. Many have multiple unlockable Suit Styles (color variants).
• Miles Morales's Spider-Suits: A diverse collection of unlockable suits for Miles, including his Upgraded Suit, Classic Suit, TRACK Suit, movie suits (Into the Spider-Verse, Across the Spider-Verse), and original designs. Like Peter's, these are primarily cosmetic with unlockable Suit Styles.
• Suit Tech Upgrades: Universal passive upgrades for Health, Damage, Focus, and Traversal that apply to both Spider-Men regardless of the suit equipped. Purchased with Tech Parts and Rare Tech Parts.
• Civilian Attire (Contextual): During certain story segments where Peter or Miles are not in their Spider-Man suits, they wear civilian clothing. This is not directly customizable by the player.

Horizon Zero Dawn features a large open world divided into distinct ecological regions: the mountainous Sacred Lands of the Nora, the desert canyons and mesas of the Carja Sundom (including the capital Meridian and Sunfall), dense jungles, and the snowy, harsh northern territories of the Banuk (expanded in 'The Frozen Wilds' DLC with 'The Cut'). The map is traversed on foot or by overriding and riding certain machines. Tallnecks must be overridden to reveal sections of the map.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 features an expanded open-world New York City, roughly twice the size of the map in the first game. It includes all of Manhattan from the previous titles, plus two new boroughs: Queens (Peter's home borough, featuring residential areas like Astoria) and Brooklyn (Miles' home borough, featuring areas like Williamsburg and Coney Island). The map is incredibly detailed, with seamless transitions between boroughs via bridges or web-swinging/gliding. Traversal is significantly enhanced with the addition of Web Wings for gliding and Slingshot Launch for rapid forward momentum.

• Overridden Machines (Mounts): Organic-Robotic Mount / Land Traversal
  Aloy can learn to override certain machine types (e.g., Striders, Broadheads, Chargers) using her spear. Once overridden, these machines can be ridden as mounts for faster travel across the game's vast open world. Each mountable machine has slightly different speeds and handling.
• Zip-lines & Rappel Points: Traversal Tool (Environmental)
  While not vehicles, zip-lines are frequently used for quick descents across chasms or down cliffs. Rappel points allow for controlled descent from heights. These are fixed environmental interaction points.

• Web-Swinging & Web-Zipping: Primary Traversal (Player Mechanics)
  The core method of movement for both Spider-Men. Involves swinging on webs attached to buildings, web-zipping to points for bursts of speed, and point-launching for precise aerial maneuvers.
• Web Wings: Aerial Gliding Traversal (Player Mechanics)
  A new traversal tool allowing Peter and Miles to deploy glider-like wings to soar through the city, utilizing wind tunnels found between buildings for sustained flight and increased speed. Complements web-swinging.
• Slingshot Launch: Traversal Launch (Player Mechanics)
  Allows Spider-Man to create a web slingshot between two points and launch himself forward at high speed across large distances or up onto tall buildings.
• Wall-Crawling & Wall-Running: Traversal (Player Mechanics)
  Both Spider-Men can crawl and run on almost any vertical or horizontal surface, allowing for versatile navigation of New York's architecture.
• Civilian Vehicles (Cars, Trucks, Buses, Taxis - Environmental): Environmental Props / Occasional Interaction
  The city is filled with civilian vehicles. While the Spider-Men don't typically drive them for extended periods (unlike GTA), they can land on them, use them as platforms, or interact with them during combat (e.g., webbing them up, throwing them with Symbiote powers).
• Enemy Vehicles (Hunter Transports, Armored Vehicles - Contextual): Hostile Vehicles
  Kraven's Hunters and other factions may use armored transports or other vehicles during specific missions or encounters. These are typically targets for Spider-Man to disable or destroy rather than pilot.

• Aloy: Protagonist / Nora Huntress & Seeker
  A skilled hunter, archer, and machine expert. Cast out from the Nora tribe at birth, she is curious, determined, and compassionate. Her journey is to uncover her origins and the secrets of the Old World. Voiced by Ashly Burch.
• Rost: Aloy's Guardian / Nora Outcast
  A stoic and skilled Nora warrior who was also an outcast. He raised and trained Aloy in the ways of survival and hunting. Plays a pivotal role in Aloy's early life.
• Sylens: Mysterious Researcher / Reluctant Ally
  An enigmatic and highly knowledgeable wanderer obsessed with uncovering the secrets of the Old Ones and the machines. He communicates with Aloy via her Focus, providing guidance but also pursuing his own agenda. Voiced by Lance Reddick.
• High Matriarch Teersa: Nora High Matriarch / Spiritual Leader
  One of the three High Matriarchs of the Nora tribe. She is more open-minded and sympathetic towards Aloy compared to the other Matriarchs.
• Erend Vanguardsman: Oseram Warrior / Captain of the Vanguard
  A boisterous but loyal Oseram warrior who becomes an ally to Aloy. He is investigating the death of his sister, Ersa.
• Avad: Sun-King of the Carja
  The current enlightened ruler of the Carja tribe, who overthrew his tyrannical father, the 'Mad Sun-King' Jiran. He seeks peace and reforms within the Carja Sundom.
• Helis: Antagonist / Leader of the Eclipse
  The fanatical leader of the Eclipse, a cult loyal to the Shadow Carja and the mysterious entity HADES. He is a formidable warrior and a primary antagonist.
• GAIA: Ancient AI / Earth's Terraforming System
  The primary AI of Project Zero Dawn, responsible for overseeing the terraforming of Earth and the reintroduction of life after the Faro Plague. Aloy's existence is directly linked to GAIA.
• HADES: Antagonist / Subordinate Function of GAIA
  One of GAIA's subordinate functions, designed as a last-resort extinction protocol. It becomes a rogue AI and the primary threat Aloy must stop.
• Dr. Elisabet Sobeck: Creator of Project Zero Dawn / Key Figure from the Old World
  A brilliant scientist from the 21st century who spearheaded Project Zero Dawn to save life on Earth from the Faro Plague. Aloy bears a striking resemblance to her.
• Ted Faro: CEO of Faro Automated Solutions / Architect of the Faro Plague
  The CEO of the corporation that created the self-replicating combat machines which caused the Faro Plague, ultimately leading to the end of the Old World. His actions had catastrophic consequences.

• Peter Parker / Spider-Man: Protagonist
  The original Spider-Man, now more experienced but struggling to balance his personal life, teaching career, and superhero duties. He gains and battles the influence of the Venom symbiote.
• Miles Morales / Spider-Man: Protagonist
  The newer Spider-Man, now more confident and skilled. He balances being a hero with his school life and family, and supports Peter while also dealing with his own unique challenges and powers.
• Mary Jane 'MJ' Watson: Ally / Journalist / Peter's Partner
  An investigative journalist at the Daily Bugle and Peter Parker's romantic partner. She is resourceful and often assists the Spider-Men with her reporting skills, also featuring in some playable stealth/investigation segments.
• Harry Osborn: Supporting Character / Friend / Eventual Venom Host
  Peter's childhood best friend, who returns after being away for experimental medical treatment for a terminal illness. He is seemingly cured by a symbiotic suit, which eventually leads to him becoming Venom.
• Venom (Symbiote & Harry Osborn): Main Antagonist
  The alien symbiote combined with Harry Osborn, driven by a desire to 'heal the world' through extreme measures, becoming a powerful and destructive force.
• Kraven the Hunter (Sergei Kravinoff): Main Antagonist
  A legendary and highly skilled hunter who comes to New York City seeking the ultimate challenge by hunting super-powered individuals, including both Spider-Men and various villains.
• Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard: Antagonist (Initially) / Supporting Character
  A scientist who transforms into the monstrous Lizard. Kraven hunts him, and the Spider-Men try to cure and save him.
• Ganke Lee: Ally / Miles's Best Friend / 'Guy in the Chair'
  Miles's best friend and tech-savvy confidant who provides support and mission assistance from behind the scenes.
• Rio Morales: Supporting Character / Miles's Mother
  Miles's mother, a city councilwoman dedicated to her community. She is aware of Miles's identity as Spider-Man.
• Norman Osborn: Supporting Character / CEO of Oscorp / Harry's Father
  The influential and often morally ambiguous head of Oscorp, desperate to save his son Harry from his illness.
• Yuri Watanabe / Wraith: Supporting Character / Vigilante
  Former NYPD captain, now operating as the violent vigilante Wraith, seeking her own form of justice. Interacts with Spider-Man during 'The Flame' side story.
• Various other supporting characters and minor villains: Cameos, Side Quest Characters, Civilian NPCs
  Includes characters like J. Jonah Jameson (podcast host), Danika Hart (podcast host), Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, Tombstone, Flint Marko/Sandman (via memories), Martin Li/Mister Negative (briefly), and others who populate the city or feature in side content.

• Main Quests (Aloy's Journey)
  A series of narrative-driven quests that follow Aloy's personal journey to discover her origins, the truth about the Old World, the cause of the machine derangement, and the threat posed by HADES and the Eclipse cult. These missions span the entire game world and involve critical story revelations and boss encounters.
• Side Quests
  Optional quests given by various NPCs throughout the world. These often involve helping individuals or tribes with their problems, exploring specific locations, hunting particular machines, and provide more lore, XP, and rewards.
• Errands
  Simpler, shorter optional tasks, often involving fetching specific items or dealing with minor threats for NPCs.
• Tallnecks
  Climbing massive, giraffe-like communication machines (Tallnecks) and overriding them from their heads. This clears the fog of war from that section of the map, revealing points of interest, machine sites, and settlements.
• Cauldrons
  Infiltrating and navigating dangerous underground machine factories (Cauldrons). Successfully reaching the core and overriding it unlocks the ability for Aloy to override new types of machines in the open world. Each Cauldron features platforming, puzzles, and a boss fight.
• Hunting Grounds
  Designated arenas where Aloy can undertake timed trials that test her combat and trapping skills against specific machines under various conditions. Earning higher ranks (Half Sun, Full Sun, Blazing Sun) rewards XP and special items.
• Bandit Camps
  Clearing out encampments occupied by hostile human bandits. Usually involves defeating all bandits and their leader, and often freeing prisoners or recovering stolen goods.
• Corrupted Zones
  Areas where machines have become more aggressive and powerful due to corruption. Clearing these zones typically involves defeating all corrupted machines within the designated area.
• The Frozen Wilds Main & Side Quests (DLC)
  A new set of main and side quests within 'The Cut' region, focusing on the Banuk tribe, a new machine threat (the Daemon), and the mysteries of an ancient AI entity called the Spirit.

• Main Story Missions (Peter & Miles)
  A series of narrative-driven missions that progress the central storyline involving Kraven the Hunter's 'Great Hunt,' the emergence of the Lizard, and the arrival and impact of the Venom symbiote. Missions often involve playing as either Peter or Miles, and sometimes feature them working together. These include major boss battles and cinematic set pieces.
• FNSM App Requests (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man App)
  Short side activities and requests from citizens of New York, accessed via an in-game app. These can involve stopping petty crimes, rescuing civilians, helping with local problems, or unique character interactions. Contributes to district progress.
• Hunter Blinds & Bases
  Kraven's forces establish hidden Blinds (observation posts) and larger fortified Bases throughout the city. Spider-Man must locate these, defeat the hunters stationed there, and destroy their equipment to weaken Kraven's control over a district.
• EMF Experiments (Emily-May Foundation)
  Peter Parker helps Harry Osborn with scientific experiments for the Emily-May Foundation. These involve mini-games like analyzing plant DNA by splicing genes, flying a drone through targets to collect bee data, or testing new sustainable technologies. Rewards XP and Tech Parts.
• Marko's Memories (Sandman Crystals)
  Collect crystalized sand fragments containing memories of Flint Marko (Sandman). Piecing these memories together reveals a touching side story about his attempts to connect with his daughter. Rewards XP.
• Photo Ops
  Locate specific landmarks or scenes in New York City and take a photograph as either Peter or Miles. These highlight iconic NYC locations and moments of city life. Rewards XP and district progress.
• Prowler Stashes (Miles Morales)
  Miles discovers hidden caches of technology and resources left by his uncle, Aaron Davis (The Prowler). Accessing each stash requires solving a light environmental puzzle or using specific traversal abilities. Rewards Rare Tech Parts.
• Unidentified Targets (Kraven's Drones)
  Track and chase down Kraven's hunter drones using Web Wings and aerial maneuvers to perform an aerial takedown and retrieve their data. Rewards XP and Tech Parts.
• Cultural Museum Missions (Miles Morales - Stolen History)
  Miles helps recover stolen musical instruments and artifacts for the cultural museum in Harlem, learning about different cultures represented in New York.
• The Flame Side Story (with Wraith)
  A multi-part side story where Spider-Man (Peter or Miles) teams up with Yuri Watanabe, now the vigilante Wraith, to investigate and stop a dangerous pyromaniac cult known as The Flame.
• Brooklyn Visions Academy Missions (Miles Morales)
  Side quests related to Miles's school life at Brooklyn Visions Academy, often involving helping fellow students or dealing with issues on campus.
• Symbiote Nests
  After the symbiote invasion begins, nests appear throughout the city. Spider-Man must infiltrate these dangerous, pulsating areas, destroy symbiote hearts while fending off waves of symbiote enemies, and escape before the nest collapses.

Originally released with a Standard Edition. The 'Complete Edition' (for PS4 and PC) includes the base game, 'The Frozen Wilds' expansion, a digital art book, a PS4 dynamic theme, and several in-game item packs (Carja Storm Ranger Outfit and Mighty Bow, Carja Trader Pack, Banuk Trailblazer Outfit and Culling Bow, Banuk Traveller Pack, Nora Keeper Pack). A 'Remastered Edition' for PS5 and PC was released on October 31, 2024, featuring graphical enhancements and new features.

Available in Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition (10 unique suits - 5 for Peter, 5 for Miles, additional Photo Mode items, 2 skill points), and Collector's Edition (SteelBook display case, 19-inch statue featuring both Spider-Men battling Venom, all Digital Deluxe content).

The major post-launch content is 'The Frozen Wilds,' a significant story expansion that adds a new northern region ('The Cut'), new characters, new machines (e.g., Frostclaws, Fireclaws), new weapons, new skills ('Traveler' skill tree), and a compelling storyline. This expansion is included in the Complete Edition and Remastered Edition.

Insomniac Games has released free updates including New Game+, new suits, mission replay, and accessibility features. Larger story DLC or expansions have not been officially announced as of mid-2024, but are a possibility based on past Insomniac titles.

• Q: When was Horizon Zero Dawn originally released?
  A: Horizon Zero Dawn was first released for PlayStation 4 on February 28, 2017 (North America). The PC (Complete Edition) version was released on August 7, 2020. A Remastered Edition for PS5 and PC launched on October 31, 2024.
• Q: What is the story of Horizon Zero Dawn about?
  A: It follows Aloy, an outcast hunter in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by robotic creatures, as she uncovers the secrets of her mysterious birth, the fate of the ancient human civilization (the 'Old Ones'), and the origin of the machines that now roam the Earth.
• Q: What kind of game is Horizon Zero Dawn?
  A: It is an open-world action role-playing game (Action RPG) played from a third-person perspective. Gameplay focuses on combat against machines using bows, traps, and other tools, stealth, crafting, exploration, and a rich narrative.
• Q: What is the Focus device Aloy uses?
  A: The Focus is an augmented reality device from the Old World that Aloy finds as a child. It allows her to scan machines to identify weak points and elemental vulnerabilities, track enemies and paths, analyze ancient data logs, and interact with Old World technology.
• Q: Can you ride machines in Horizon Zero Dawn?
  A: Yes, Aloy can learn to override certain types of machines by completing Cauldrons. Once overridden, some machines like Striders, Broadheads, and Chargers can be used as mounts for faster travel across the open world.
• Q: Is Horizon Zero Dawn a multiplayer game?
  A: No, Horizon Zero Dawn is a single-player only experience. It does not have any multiplayer or co-operative modes.
• Q: What is 'The Frozen Wilds'?
  A: 'The Frozen Wilds' is a major story expansion for Horizon Zero Dawn. It adds a new icy northern region called 'The Cut,' a new storyline involving the Banuk tribe, new characters, dangerous new machines (like Frostclaws and Fireclaws), new weapons, and new skills. It's included in the Complete Edition and Remastered Edition of the game.

• Q: Can I switch between Peter Parker and Miles Morales freely?
  A: Yes, in the open world, players can seamlessly switch between controlling Peter Parker and Miles Morales via the FNSM app on their phone. Each character has their own set of specific story missions and some unique side activities, but many open-world tasks can be completed by either.
• Q: What are Web Wings?
  A: Web Wings are a new traversal mechanic in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Both Peter and Miles can deploy these glider-like wings while airborne to soar through the city, utilizing wind tunnels for increased speed and covering large distances much faster than just web-swinging.
• Q: How do the Symbiote powers work for Peter?
  A: When Peter Parker acquires the Venom symbiote, he gains access to a new set of aggressive, tendril-based combat abilities and a 'Symbiote Surge' mode (similar to a rage mode) that significantly enhances his power. These abilities replace his Spider-Arm skills while the Symbiote Suit is active in the story.
• Q: Are there different boroughs of New York City to explore?
  A: Yes, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 expands the map to include not only Manhattan (from previous games) but also Queens and Brooklyn, effectively doubling the size of the explorable open world.
• Q: Does Marvel's Spider-Man 2 have multiplayer?
  A: No, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a single-player only experience, focusing on the individual stories and cooperative dynamic of Peter Parker and Miles Morales within the narrative.
• Q: Will there be DLC for Marvel's Spider-Man 2?
  A: Insomniac Games has not officially announced major story DLC in the vein of 'The City That Never Sleeps' for the first game or 'Miles Morales' as a standalone. However, they have released free updates with new features and suits. Future content is possible but unconfirmed.

Powered by the Decima engine, Horizon Zero Dawn is renowned for its breathtaking visuals, featuring lush and diverse environments, highly detailed machine designs, realistic weather effects, and a dynamic day/night cycle. The PC port and PS5 Remastered Edition offer enhanced graphical options, including higher resolutions, framerates, improved draw distances, and ultrawide support (PC).

Powered by Insomniac Games' proprietary engine, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 showcases stunning visuals on the PlayStation 5. It features incredibly detailed character models, lifelike animations, a densely populated and realistic New York City, and advanced lighting and reflection effects (including extensive ray tracing options for reflections and shadows). Offers various graphics modes (Fidelity for max visuals/RT at 30FPS, Performance for 60FPS with dynamic resolution/less RT, and modes for 120Hz displays with VRR).

The acclaimed original score, composed by Joris de Man, The Flight, Niels van der Leest, and Jonathan Williams, features a blend of orchestral, tribal, and electronic elements that perfectly capture the game's atmosphere. Sound design for machines is distinctive and crucial for identifying threats.

Original score composed by John Paesano, featuring heroic orchestral themes for both Spider-Men, intense action cues, and emotional character motifs. The soundtrack dynamically shifts with gameplay. Sound design is immersive, with distinct web-swinging sounds, impactful combat effects, unique sounds for Symbiote and Venom powers, and the bustling ambience of New York City.

Features a clean and immersive UI with a compass, quest log, health/medicine indicators, weapon/ammo selection wheel, and contextual prompts. The Focus scan provides detailed information overlay about machines and the environment. A world map is used for navigation and tracking objectives.

Features a clean and dynamic HUD displaying health, Focus meter (for finishers/healing), gadget/ability cooldowns, and contextual prompts. A mini-map aids navigation. The main menu provides access to the map, missions, character (skills, suits, gadgets), collectibles, and settings. The FNSM App is used for side activities and requests. Photo Mode is robust.

Offers a wide range of accessibility options, building on Insomniac's previous efforts. Includes customizable controls, extensive subtitle and caption options, options to simplify QTEs, aim assist, options for puzzle timing, high contrast modes for shaders, audio cues for collectibles and combat, gameplay speed modifiers (slow down game speed), and more.

• Official PC system requirements for 'Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered' (or Complete Edition on PC, which has similar demands). Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, driver versions, and in-game settings. An SSD is strongly recommended for optimal performance. The game supports various upscaling technologies.
• Laptop Performance Note: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, while an older base game, can still be demanding on PC, especially at higher settings or resolutions. For a good laptop experience, a modern gaming laptop with a capable dedicated GPU, sufficient TGP, and good cooling is advised. **Actual performance can vary significantly based on the specific laptop model's TGP, cooling solution, CPU, RAM, and software configuration.** Always check reviews for specific laptop models.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) is crucial for laptop GPU performance. Higher TGP variants of the same GPU model will perform better. Check manufacturer specs.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain consistent framerates during gameplay. Laptops with robust cooling solutions are preferred.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU (Intel Core H-series, AMD Ryzen H/HS-series) that can sustain good clock speeds is important to complement the GPU, especially in this open-world environment with complex machine AI.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB in dual-channel configuration is recommended for smoother gameplay. RAM speed can also impact performance in certain scenarios.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: Match the GPU's capability to the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p) and refresh rate. Upscaling technologies can help bridge performance gaps.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can offer improved performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Utilize the latest official GPU drivers and ensure Windows is optimized for gaming.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The PC (Complete Edition/Remastered) supports NVIDIA DLSS (DLSS 3 for Remastered), AMD FSR (FSR 3.1 for Remastered), and Intel XeSS. These are highly recommended for improving performance at higher settings and resolutions.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Model Quality, Anisotropic Filtering, Shadows, Reflections, Clouds, Ambient Occlusion, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. The Remastered version also has enhanced graphics options.
• Game Name: Horizon Zero Dawn

• CONSOLE EXCLUSIVE (PlayStation 5). PC System requirements are HIGHLY SPECULATIVE, assuming a future PC port similar in demand to other high-fidelity Sony exclusives. An NVMe SSD would be mandatory for a PC version.
• Laptop Performance Note: If ported to PC, laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, very high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and excellent cooling. **This would be an extremely demanding title on PC, requiring top-tier laptop hardware for high settings, especially with ray tracing.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP will be absolutely crucial.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Exceptional cooling needed for demanding visuals and fast-paced action.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Strong CPU performance needed for the dense open world and fast traversal.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5) would be essential.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be critical.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: PS5 supports various graphics modes (Fidelity/Performance). A PC port would likely include DLSS, FSR, and XeSS.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing (Reflections, Shadows), Texture Quality, Level of Detail, Shadow Quality, Crowd/Traffic Density, and Hair Quality would heavily impact performance on PC. The game utilizes extensive ray tracing on PS5.
• Game Name: Marvel's Spider-Man 2

• Upscaling Tech: The PC (Complete Edition/Remastered) supports NVIDIA DLSS (DLSS 3 for Remastered), AMD FSR (FSR 3.1 for Remastered), and Intel XeSS. These are highly recommended for improving performance at higher settings and resolutions.
• Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Model Quality, Anisotropic Filtering, Shadows, Reflections, Clouds, Ambient Occlusion, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. The Remastered version also has enhanced graphics options.

• Upscaling Tech: PS5 supports various graphics modes (Fidelity/Performance). A PC port would likely include DLSS, FSR, and XeSS.
• Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing (Reflections, Shadows), Texture Quality, Level of Detail, Shadow Quality, Crowd/Traffic Density, and Hair Quality would heavily impact performance on PC. The game utilizes extensive ray tracing on PS5.

• G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) is crucial for laptop GPU performance. Higher TGP variants of the same GPU model will perform better. Check manufacturer specs.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain consistent framerates during gameplay. Laptops with robust cooling solutions are preferred.
• C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU (Intel Core H-series, AMD Ryzen H/HS-series) that can sustain good clock speeds is important to complement the GPU, especially in this open-world environment with complex machine AI.
• R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB in dual-channel configuration is recommended for smoother gameplay. RAM speed can also impact performance in certain scenarios.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: Match the GPU's capability to the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p) and refresh rate. Upscaling technologies can help bridge performance gaps.
• M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can offer improved performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Utilize the latest official GPU drivers and ensure Windows is optimized for gaming.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP will be absolutely crucial.
• Cooling Thermals: Exceptional cooling needed for demanding visuals and fast-paced action.
• C P U Power Limits: Strong CPU performance needed for the dense open world and fast traversal.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5) would be essential.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be critical.