John Paesano returns to score Insomniac's PS5 sequel, and the symbiote changes everything. Marvel's Spider-Man 2's 2023 soundtrack builds on the heroic orchestral foundation of the first two games but threads in darker, more aggressive textures once Venom enters the picture.
Read more
"The Great Hunter" introduces Kraven with predatory intensity, while "Symbiotic Relationship" and "Battling Your Inner Demons" chart Peter's black suit corruption with increasingly distorted, oppressive scoring. "East River Mayhem" and "Midtown Madness" deliver the big setpiece energy you expect from swinging through New York, but the emotional core sits in tracks like "A Second Chance," "A Familiar Bond," and "Sacrifice."
"Foundational Feud" captures the Peter-versus-Harry tragedy that drives the final act. The balance between spectacle and genuine character work is stronger here than in either predecessor. "Greater Together" featuring Ben Billions and "Swing" featuring Benji bookend the album with vocal tracks that anchor the dual Spider-Man identity.
The SURKIN remix of "In Full Swing" adds a stylish electronic spin as a closing bonus. Paesano's best work in the franchise, and arguably one of the strongest superhero game scores of the generation.