It was inevitable that comparisons would be made between Spider-Man PS4 and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. For the most part, both games complement each other very well, with each living up to their role in expanding the video game universe for Marvel’s Spider-Man. It’s also worth looking into the main protagonists of these titles.
Part of the winning combination of the games is the presence of quality superheroes in Peter Parker and Miles Morales, as they each have their own unique attributes they bring to the table. However, one does do a bit better than the other, and there’s a definite winner between Peter and Miles over who the better video game protagonist is.
Emotional Quality: Peter Parker
Incorporating real emotion is far more difficult in gaming than in other media. Fortunately, Spider-Man PS4 benefitted from having one of the best stories featuring the character. Peter Parker had more emotional depth than Miles Morales, even though both had suitable arcs.
Peter’s comprised not only of sad moments but also a blend of romantic issues and funny sentiments that made him more of a well-rounded hero. Miles’ steered more toward the sad nature of things rather than the balanced characterization of Peter.
Agility: Miles Morales
It’s absolutely paramount for a protagonist to be fluid in movement, no matter if it’s from the superhero genre or not. Miles Morales is the far better option here, being as quick and agile as Spider-Man is supposed to be and a treat to control.
Peter Parker was the one to introduce this gameplay aspect, yet didn't have the finesse in movement that Miles does. Spider-Man has always been a character who’s quick on his feet, something Miles embodies far better.
Powers: Peter Parker
Whether it’s during normal gameplay or the final fights, Spider-Man’s powers are needed to make the game an enjoyable experience. Although it could be argued that Miles brought around the same, if not more, of Peter’s abilities, they lacked that oomph factor.
Controlling Peter felt like one was in charge of the more powerful character, with everything from his strength to his combat prowess coming across as powers that were turned up to their highest potential. It seemed to be more of a work in progress where Miles was concerned.
Dialogue: Miles Morales
There’s an aesthetic quality about Miles that’s hard to describe but easy to experience. The music that accompanies him, the feel of his surroundings, and the dialogue that follows are all unique in their own way. Mostly, Miles’ conversational style is better to be immersed in.
This might be because Miles was presented as a more serious character, which rules out overtly comedic moments during conversations. Peter might be more entertaining, but Miles’ dialogue was better if one wants a genuine feel of a protagonist's mindset.
Suits: Peter Parker
Spider-Man: Miles Morales arguably had more suits to indulge in for the player, but they felt quite inauthentic towards Miles since fans just haven’t seen him wear so many in other media. For Peter, these suits came across as a reflection of his decades’ worth of legacy.
Neither Spider-Man PS4 anorMiles Morales made full use of the suits’ capabilities, but Peter's definitely had a more organic feel. Fans of the comics and film series will no doubt have enjoyed using these suits on Peter as a way of dialing back the time to their preferred adaptation of the character.
Long-Lasting Potential: Miles Morales
It only fared slightly worse in reviews compared to Spider-Man PS4, yet Miles Morales cemented itself in the list of spin-offs fans need to play. This is just the beginning too, seeing as Miles has so much potential for originality in his storylines as he's much newer to the game.
The thing with Peter is he’s been seen in so many Spider-Man adaptations that there’s very little room for fans to be surprised with. A new story will seem like just another take on the character. Miles can be placed in numerous scenarios and will still be fresh in the long-term.
Chemistry With Supporting Characters: Peter Parker
The great thing about video game Peter Parker is how he doesn’t steal focus from other characters. In fact, he’s responsible for setting up the supporting cast as important players to the story, as Peter was connected with each of them in different ways.
Miles Morales was pretty much the only one fans would be inclined to care about in his game, having little to no depth in his relationships. Peter had a multifaceted involvement with the likes of Miles, Mary Jane, Aunt May, and several other characters.
Chemistry With Main Villain: Miles Morales
The main antagonist in Miles Morales wasn’t exactly comic-book accurate, but Miles’ dynamic with the Tinkerer is worthy of mention. There was a definite connection between them, seeing as Phin was one of his best friends.
Doctor Octopus and Peter Parker’s dynamic was too obvious in its eventual breakdown since fans were certain their teacher-student roles wouldn’t last. Miles’ clashes with the Tinkerer were such that one could sympathize with the latter just like Miles did.
Large Scale Moments: Peter Parker
If Spider-Man PS4 was a film, it would definitely have had a big budget, as the game featured high-impact sequences that really got the adrenaline pumping. Spider-Man: Miles Morales was a small scale affair in that it didn’t have stakes with the magnitude of its predecessor.
Due to this, Peter Parker had to face much bigger challenges that proved he was worthy of the mantle of Spider-Man. It was also worth following his adventures more since one could see the extent to which Spider-Man could be pushed and just how much he embodied Uncle Ben’s famous quote about responsibility.
Winner: Peter Parker
Ultimately, it was Peter Parker being placed in bigger scenarios that make him the better protagonist. Despite being a tried-and-tested lead character, Peter excelled in his role in this video game series. His emotional depth, chemistry with the supporting cast, and all-around likability are second to none.
Miles could very well usurp Peter in the future, but for the time being, he’s presented in his own arc to be considered as the lead in the series overall. He’s a solid secondary protagonist who needs more time to carve out his legacy, which is currently well placed in Peter Parker’s hands.