With all the crime-fighting players can do in Marvel's Spider-Man as Peter Parker, not much thought is given to all the laws broken. Developed by Insomniac Games and released on the PS4 and PS5, Marvel's Spider-Man is an open-world action-adventure game set in New York City. As Spider-Man, the player does everything he can, from swinging through the city with his web-shooters to stopping crime with quick and fluid attacks, but this actually leads Peter Parker to commit multiple crimes himself.
The Citywide crime system, called street or faction crimes, in-game adds a layer of immersion and the ultimate opportunity to role-play as Spidey, stopping crime before, during, or after it's committed. However, while not listed in Marvel's Spider-Man, numerous real-world laws, some an occupational hazard and some a common fact according to J. Jonah Jameson, are broken to stop said crime.
First and foremost is the foundation of all crime fighters, disorderly conduct. A vague, catch-all term, the charge can be from disturbing the peace to unruly behavior. In Marvel's Spider-Man, Peter Parker's conduct is as disorderly as it can get, from open fist fighting in the streets to chasing pigeons while swinging from building to building. Fortunately for him, the penalties for disorderly conduct vary depending on the severity of the crime done. However, Spider-Man isn't one to shy away from crime-fighting, and the severity crosses into jail time for sure.
Real-World Crimes Spider-Man Commits In Insomniac's Game
Spidey had all manner of partners during the start of his tenure as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, but one in particular clashes with his pledge of responsibility for his great power and development as Peter Parker: Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat. In the first Marvel's Spider-Man DLC, The City That Never Sleeps, Black Cat reenters Spider-Man's life and causes a host of burgled-themed mischief. One of the best ways Spidey can get out of aiding and abetting charge is by ceasing support of Black Cat's antics. However, given the likelihood, Spider-Man will always attempt to turn Black Cat from crime, so the repeal of the charge is less likely.
Peter Parker must sometimes don the Spider-Man mask and sometimes go places that are not only restricted to the general public but also to law enforcement. Marvel's Spider-Man utilizes breaking in as a way of stealthfully entering a location to gather information. However, just because Spidey can, doesn't mean he should, as breaking and entering is an open and shut case scoring Peter Parker not only a felony but a second-degree burglary charge and assured jail time whenever he's caught.
In Marvel's Spider-Man, the player can quickly patrol the city for armed robbery to a mugging; even searching for collectibles or finding all of Spider-Man's various suits is an easy enough task. However, without any identification or legality in stopping the crime, Spidey is liable for assault and battery. A double whammy when it comes to jail time, committing both add up to years in prison and a fine of upwards of $5,000. However, given Peter Parker's career choice, the years in jail and numerous fines have acclimated into one penalty, life without parole.
Marvel's Spider-Man sports a plethora of villains; however, one bout with the Scorpion tops it all. During the mission titled "Streets of Poison," Spider-Man is hit with Scorpion's poison. Heavily hallucinating, he must fight all manner of illusions, ultimately finding and defeating Scorpion after taking an antidote. While it works counteracting the poison, Peter finds himself naked save for his mask and boxer briefs. There is no telling how long he was in his hallucinating stupor nor where he went, and considering this is only one of the main bosses in Spider-Man he faces, what's to say it won't happen again? One thing is for sure, though, with the level spanning a big chunk of the city, Peter Parker would, at the least, be charged a felony and conviction.
For Spider-Man to do his job, he must cross lines, reach places, and sometimes sacrifice even the clothes on his back to fight crime. However, this does not excuse his disregard for both the safety of others and himself. While Marvel's Spider-Man is one of the best games starting the titular character, one can't help but notice all the real-world crimes Peter Parker commits along the way.