How Much Better is Spider-Man Remastered?
Spider-Man Remastered isn’t just a simple upscaling; it’s a significant overhaul that elevates the already excellent PS4 game to new heights. Expect a dramatically improved visual experience with enhanced textures, ray tracing, and a brand-new, more realistic Peter Parker model, coupled with faster loading times, performance enhancements, and all DLC included. The Remastered version provides a definitive and noticeably superior experience, especially on hardware capable of fully utilizing its graphical capabilities.
A Web of Visual Upgrades
The most immediately noticeable difference between the original Spider-Man on PS4 and Spider-Man Remastered is the graphical leap. Insomniac Games didn’t just bump up the resolution; they meticulously reworked nearly every aspect of the game’s visuals.
Ray Tracing Reflections
Perhaps the most impactful visual upgrade is the inclusion of ray tracing. This technology simulates how light interacts with surfaces, creating realistic reflections in windows, puddles, and other reflective materials. This adds a level of depth and realism to New York City that was simply impossible on the PS4. Seeing Spider-Man reflected in the towering skyscrapers as he swings through the city is truly breathtaking.
Improved Textures and Models
Beyond ray tracing, Spider-Man Remastered boasts significantly improved textures. From the minute details on Spider-Man’s suit to the brickwork on buildings, everything is sharper and more detailed. Character models, including Peter Parker himself (more on that later), have been updated with higher polygon counts, making them look more realistic and expressive.
Performance and Frame Rate
Performance is another area where Spider-Man Remastered shines. On the PS5, the game runs at a silky-smooth 60 frames per second in Performance mode, making traversal feel incredibly fluid and responsive. Even in Fidelity mode, which prioritizes graphical fidelity, the game maintains a solid 30 FPS with ray tracing enabled. This is a major improvement over the PS4 version, which often struggled to maintain a consistent frame rate, especially during intense action sequences.
A New Face for Peter Parker
One of the most controversial changes in Spider-Man Remastered was the replacement of Peter Parker’s face model. John Bubniak, the original face model, was replaced with Ben Jordan. Insomniac Games stated that this change was made to better match the facial capture performance of Yuri Lowenthal, the voice and motion capture actor for Peter Parker. While some fans initially expressed reservations, most have come to appreciate the new model, which they find more expressive and believable.
The Complete Spider-Man Experience
Spider-Man Remastered isn’t just a graphical upgrade; it also includes all three DLC chapters of “The City That Never Sleeps” storyline. These add new missions, villains, and suits to the game, expanding the overall experience and providing even more content for players to enjoy. Having all the content readily available enhances the overall value of the Remastered version.
Loading Times: A Thing of the Past
One of the biggest frustrations with the original Spider-Man on PS4 was the loading times. Fast traveling across the city could take a significant amount of time, disrupting the flow of the game. Spider-Man Remastered, thanks to the PS5’s lightning-fast SSD, eliminates these loading times almost entirely. Fast traveling is virtually instantaneous, allowing players to seamlessly move around the city and jump into action without any delays.
Is Spider-Man Remastered Worth It?
If you’ve never played Spider-Man before, Spider-Man Remastered is absolutely the definitive way to experience this critically acclaimed game. The graphical enhancements, performance improvements, and inclusion of all DLC make it a must-have for any PlayStation owner. Even if you’ve already played the original on PS4, the visual overhaul and performance boost are significant enough to warrant a replay. The improved visuals, combined with the engaging gameplay and compelling story, make Spider-Man Remastered a truly exceptional superhero game. Ultimately, the enhanced experience offers a clear and compelling reason to choose the Remastered version.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What platforms is Spider-Man Remastered available on?
Spider-Man Remastered is exclusively available on the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PC. It’s not available as a standalone purchase on the PS4.
2. How do I get Spider-Man Remastered on PS5?
On PS5, it comes bundled with Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition. However, if you own the standard version of Miles Morales, you can purchase an upgrade to the Ultimate Edition to gain access. On PC, it can be purchased via Steam and Epic Games Store.
3. Does Spider-Man Remastered include all the DLC?
Yes, Spider-Man Remastered includes all three chapters of “The City That Never Sleeps” DLC: The Heist, Turf Wars, and Silver Lining.
4. What are the key graphical differences between the PS4 and PS5 versions?
The key differences include ray tracing, improved textures, higher resolution, better lighting, and enhanced character models. The PS5 version also features significantly faster loading times and a higher frame rate.
5. Is the new Peter Parker face model permanent?
Yes, the new face model for Peter Parker in Spider-Man Remastered is the standard and will not be reverted.
6. Does Spider-Man Remastered support 4K resolution?
Yes, Spider-Man Remastered supports 4K resolution on compatible displays.
7. What frame rate does Spider-Man Remastered run at on PS5?
On PS5, the game offers two modes: Fidelity mode, which targets 30 FPS with ray tracing, and Performance mode, which targets 60 FPS without ray tracing.
8. Are there any gameplay changes in Spider-Man Remastered?
While the core gameplay remains the same, the improved performance and responsiveness of the PS5 version make the experience feel significantly smoother and more enjoyable.
9. Does Spider-Man Remastered take advantage of the PS5’s DualSense controller?
Yes, Spider-Man Remastered utilizes the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to provide more immersive and realistic sensations, such as feeling the tension of Spider-Man’s web-shooters.
10. Can I transfer my save data from the PS4 version to the PS5 version?
Yes, you can transfer your save data from the PS4 version of Spider-Man to Spider-Man Remastered on the PS5, allowing you to pick up where you left off.
11. What are the PC specific graphical enhancements?
The PC version include ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS and DLAA, and unlocked framerates. It also supports various display ratios including ultrawide monitors.
12. Is the PC version of Spider-Man Remastered moddable?
Yes, like many PC games, Spider-Man Remastered on PC has an active modding community, allowing players to customize their experience with new suits, gameplay tweaks, and more.
13. What are the minimum and recommended PC requirements for Spider-Man Remastered?
This information is readily available on the Steam and Epic Games Store pages for the game, outlining the necessary hardware for various performance levels.
14. Is Spider-Man Remastered worth buying if I already own Spider-Man on PS4?
If you have access to a PS5 or a capable PC, the graphical enhancements and performance improvements in Spider-Man Remastered make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you enjoyed the original game. The ray tracing and faster loading times alone significantly enhance the experience.
15. Is Spider-Man Remastered a standalone game or an upgrade?
On PS5, it is bundled with Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition. Owners of Miles Morales can buy an upgrade to get Spider-Man Remastered. On PC, it’s available as a standalone game.