It makes you feel like Spider-Man. The web-swinging through New York is exhilarating in a way that few games capture. You're launching off buildings, zipping between skyscrapers, and the sense of speed and freedom is genuinely thrilling.

The combat is satisfying. It's not mindless button-mashing—there's real skill involved in chaining combos, dodging attacks, and using different gadgets and abilities. Kids who love action games find it challenging but not frustrating.

The story actually matters. Unlike some superhero games that feel like hollow cash-grabs, this one has real emotional weight. The relationship between Peter and Miles, the tension with MJ, the symbiote's corruption of Peter—it's legitimately compelling storytelling that treats players like they can handle complex narratives.

It's culturally relevant. Spider-Man is having a massive moment right now across movies, shows, and games. Being able to play as both Spider-Men (and experiencing Miles' unique powers) feels current and inclusive in ways kids genuinely appreciate.

This is a superhero brawler, so yeah, there's a lot of fighting. You're punching, kicking, web-shooting, and slamming enemies into walls and objects. The combat is stylized and comic book-y—no blood, no gore, no realistic injury detail. Think Marvel movie violence, not Mortal Kombat.

However: Some scenes do get intense. Kraven is hunting people for sport, and while you don't see graphic deaths, the implications are dark. There are sequences where characters are in genuine peril, and the symbiote storyline includes some body horror elements (tentacles, transformation sequences) that might be unsettling for younger or more sensitive kids.

The boss fights can be legitimately scary—Venom is designed to be terrifying, and the game leans into that horror aesthetic during those encounters.

There's occasional strong language—mostly "hell," "damn," and "ass." You'll hear "bastard" a few times. No F-bombs, but it's definitely more casual profanity than you'd get in a typical Marvel movie.

This one surprises some parents: there's a side mission involving a character dealing with addiction, and you encounter situations related to drug use in the city. It's handled maturely and not glorified, but it's there. The ESRB specifically calls out "drug reference" in the rating.

This is where the Teen rating really shows up. The symbiote corruption storyline is essentially about addiction and losing control. Peter becomes more aggressive, makes bad decisions, and pushes people away. It's a metaphor that older kids and teens will understand, but it does get dark.

There are sequences where Peter is genuinely scary—his behavior becomes toxic, he hurts people he cares about, and the visual design of the symbiote suit gets progressively more disturbing. If your kid is sensitive to psychological horror or characters they love acting out of character in troubling ways, heads up.

Peter and MJ's relationship is a subplot, and there are some kissing scenes and romantic tension. It's all very PG-13—think Spider-Man movies, not anything remotely explicit. Miles also has a romantic storyline that's sweet and age-appropriate.

13+ is the official ESRB rating, and it's pretty spot-on. This isn't a game for elementary schoolers, even if they've seen the Spider-Man movies.

For 11-12 year olds: If your kid has handled the MCU Spider-Man movies fine, has some experience with action games, and you're comfortable with the themes mentioned above, they'll probably be okay. The violence is less intense than something like God of War or The Last of Us, but the emotional content is more mature than Ratchet & Clank.

For younger kids (under 11): Probably not yet. The symbiote storyline in particular deals with themes of corruption, addiction, and loss of control that younger kids aren't ready to process. Plus, some of the Venom sequences are genuinely designed to be frightening.

For teens 14+: Absolutely fine. They'll appreciate the storytelling complexity and emotional depth in ways that might actually surprise you.

This isn't a quick arcade game. The story alone is 15-20 hours, and if your kid is a completionist who wants to find every collectible and do every side mission, you're looking at 30-40+ hours. That's a significant chunk of screen time, so think about how this fits into your family's gaming limits and expectations.

No online multiplayer, no chat features, no interaction with strangers. From a safety perspective, this is as low-risk as games get. Your kid is playing a story-driven adventure, not navigating online social dynamics.

This is probably obvious, but worth stating: it's a PlayStation 5 exclusive. No Xbox, no PC, no Switch. If you don't have a PS5, this isn't an option. (And yes, PS5s are still expensive.)

Some kids get really invested in these characters, and there are moments in this game that are genuinely sad or upsetting. Without spoiling anything major, be prepared for your kid to have feelings about what happens. That's not a bad thing—it means the storytelling is working—but it's worth knowing going in.

This is actually a positive: the game has an extensive photo mode where kids can pause the action and take screenshots of Spider-Man in cool poses. It becomes a creative outlet, and you'll probably see your kid sharing these on whatever platform they use. It's a nice example of a game encouraging creativity beyond just the core gameplay.

Watch them play for a bit. Especially during the early symbiote sequences, check in and see how they're handling it. If they seem uncomfortable or disturbed, that's useful information.

Talk about the addiction metaphor. The symbiote storyline is a pretty clear parallel to substance abuse and losing control. If your teen is playing this, it's actually a great conversation starter about how media uses metaphors to explore difficult topics.

Set expectations around completion. If your kid wants to 100% this game, that's a lot of hours. Have a conversation upfront about what's reasonable given homework, other activities, and family time.

Consider playing it yourself. If you're at all interested in games, this is one of the best examples of what modern storytelling in games can be. You might actually enjoy it, and it gives you shared context for conversations.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is an exceptional game that earns its Teen rating honestly. It's not trying to be edgy or inappropriate—it's telling a mature, emotionally complex story about power, responsibility, and the struggle to stay true to yourself when you're being corrupted from within.

For the right age group (13+), it's actually a pretty great experience. The gameplay is top-tier, the story treats players with respect, and it's one of those games that demonstrates why this medium can be genuinely artistic and meaningful.

But it's not for younger kids, and parents should go in with eyes open about the darker themes and intense moments. This isn't LEGO Marvel Super Heroes—it's a more grown-up take on these characters.

If your teen is asking to play it and you're on the fence, maybe watch a gameplay video together or check out some of the story sequences on YouTube first. That'll give you a much better sense of whether it's right for your family than any rating or review can provide.

And if you decide it's not quite time yet? There are plenty of great superhero games for younger kids that capture the fun without the intensity. Spider-Man will still be there when they're ready.