Initial Release and User Skepticism
In mid-February, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 faced a significant transition when it upgraded to verified status on the Steam Deck. This upgrade came shortly after its first major patch, which aimed to enhance stability and implement essential UI fixes. Despite these improvements, many players remained skeptical about the game‘s performance, which barely managed 30 FPS. Achieving decent gameplay required countless tweaks, making it far from a seamless experience.
De-verification: A Surprising Turn of Events
Fast forward to the end of March, and the game experienced a surprising turn of events: it was de-verified on the Steam Deck. While this phenomenon may not be unprecedented, it raises eyebrows considering the high profile and production value of the game. Now rated as ‘playable’, Valve seems to align with user sentiments, suggesting that players can still enjoy Spider-Man 2 with some manual adjustments to graphical settings.
Patching and Performance Enhancements
Despite the initial backlash, the port developer, Nixxes, is actively addressing the ongoing graphical and performance issues. Recently, Patch 8 was released, featuring updates that include phrases like “improved performance in areas with trees,” a touch that some may find amusing. Critics have not shied away from voicing their opinions, as seen in PC Gamer’s review, which rated the port a lackluster 57%. Reviewer Robin Valentine aptly stated that players are left with “about 10 hours of pretty fun action … intercut with another 10 hours of limp character moments.” Such critiques underline the mismatch between expectations and execution, ultimately labeling the port experience as notably undercooked.
