I have a confession: every time a new Spider-Man game drops, I clear my weekend, order too much pizza, and swing around New York until my thumbs ache. Insomniac Games has turned that into a full-time habit. Between Marvel's Spider-Man (2018), its three-part The City That Never Sleeps DLC, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2, plus Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, the studio has been absolutely cooking. If you are staring at that list and wondering where to start, relax. I have got you. The best order is also the simplest: release order. Here is the exact path I recommend in 2026.
Quick answer: the release-order checklist
| Step | What to play | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvel's Spider-Man (2018) or Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered | The foundation. Meet Peter, Miles, and the new Norman Osborn. |
| 2 | The City That Never Sleeps: The Heist | First DLC episode. Black Cat, Felicia Hardy, and a lot of trouble. |
| 3 | The City That Never Sleeps: Turf War | Second DLC episode. Hammerhead makes his move. |
| 4 | The City That Never Sleeps: Silver Lining | Third DLC episode. Wraps up the DLC arc and sets up Miles. |
| 5 | Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales | Miles takes the lead. Set about a year after the first game. |
| 6 | Marvel's Spider-Man 2 | The big sequel. Peter, Miles, Kraven, Venom, and the symbiote. |
That is it. No weird timeline gymnastics. No alternate universes. Just start at the beginning and keep moving forward. Trust me, I have been there.
Start with Marvel's Spider-Man (2018) or the Remastered version
If you are on PS5 or PC, play Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered. It includes the base game, improved visuals, better performance, and all three episodes of The City That Never Sleeps in one package. On PS4, you can still play the original Marvel's Spider-Man and buy the DLC episodes separately. Either way, this is where the story begins.
The 2018 game introduces Peter Parker as an experienced Spider-Man, but not a perfect one. You get the basics: web-swinging, stealth, gadget combos, and a story that treats Peter's personal life like a ticking clock. It also plants seeds for Miles Morales, Norman Osborn, and the larger Spider-Man universe. Do not skip cutscenes. I know they are long, but they matter.
The City That Never Sleeps DLC: do not skip it
After the main story, play the three DLC episodes in order: The Heist, Turf War, and Silver Lining. They are shorter than the base game, but they bridge the gap between Marvel's Spider-Man and Miles Morales. The Heist brings Black Cat into the mix. Turf War escalates the gang war. Silver Lining wraps up the arc and leaves Miles in a very different place. If you jump straight to Miles Morales, you will miss some emotional context. And yes, the DLC has some of the best web-swinging challenges in the whole package.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Miles Morales is not a side story. It is a full standalone game, just shorter. It takes place about a year after the first game and focuses on Miles learning what kind of Spider-Man he wants to be. The winter setting is gorgeous, the combat feels snappier, and the story has a great cast. It also sets up major threads for Spider-Man 2, especially in the post-credits scene. Don't @ me, but I think Miles Morales is the perfect palate cleanser before the big sequel.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Now you are ready for Marvel's Spider-Man 2. It picks up after Miles Morales, puts both Peter and Miles in the spotlight, and throws Kraven, Venom, and the symbiote into the mix. The map is bigger, the set pieces are wilder, and the story goes to some dark places. As of 2026, Insomniac still has not released any story DLC for Spider-Man 2. So once you finish the main campaign, that is the end of the road for now. You can chase the platinum, clean up side missions, or just swing around and enjoy the view.
What comes next?
According to a major 2023 leak, Insomniac has been working on a standalone Venom game, a full sequel to Spider-Man 2, and a Wolverine game. Plans can change, and leaks are not official announcements. So take all of that with a grain of salt. Still, the direction is clear: Insomniac is not done with Marvel. My advice? Play the games above in release order, then keep an eye on official channels. Do not rush through the good stuff just to get to the future.
Bonus: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
This is not a Spider-Man game, but it is made by Insomniac, and it is fantastic. If you need a break between web-swinging sessions, Rift Apart is a great reminder that this studio can do just about anything. Play it whenever you want. It does not affect the Spider-Man timeline.
Final swing
So, yeah, that is the whole dance. Marvel's Spider-Man (2018) or Remastered, then The Heist, Turf War, and Silver Lining, then Miles Morales, then Spider-Man 2. It is clean, it is simple, and it keeps the story coherent. In 2026, with no Spider-Man 2 story DLC in sight, release order is still the best way to experience Insomniac's Spider-Man saga. Grab your controller, put on the mask, and enjoy the ride. 🕷️🕸️