Spider-Man PS4: What Does The Ending Really Mean?

5. Peter's Old World Is Truly Gone

What Marvel's Spider-Man does in its story is really clever, because it provides a fascinating commentary on how Spider-Man has matured since his original introduction during the Silver Age. There's a general nostalgia at the moment for stories all about Peter Parker's high school years, epitomised by the two separate movie reboots we've seen since 2012, both of which have chosen to root their narratives during this period of Spidey's life.

The Peter Parker of Insomniac's world is older though; he's got a job, his old friendship group have dispersed, and his relationship with Mary Jane Watson is off. Both he and MJ do, however, yearn for the days of old, with Harry nowhere to be seen and the world, as MJ puts it, seeming as though it will collapse "if we take a nap."

This exchange comes just after the duo reminisce of the time they, along with Harry, spent an entire day looking for the best pizza in New York. Peter's response is both poignant and mature though, stating (to paraphrase) that they now have to fight so that the kids of tomorrow get to "spend their days" looking for pizza.

It's a new kind of responsibility for Pete to bear, and it isn't without its trauma. Aunt May's passing exemplifies this transition and it's absolutely heartbreaking, but with a young Miles Morales to mentor, and him and MJ together again, the only way to go is forward. Everything is going to be okay, even if adulthood itself can be a trying, confusing and upsetting time. Who better to tell that story than Pete himself?