One of the most cinematic superhero games ever released, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has various side quests and collectibles to be found all through New York City.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of them are tied to well known Spider-Man villains. Some takes time to realize while others are more direct. The latter is the case for the Mysterium side quests which acts as essentially time trials. Thankfully, most of these are straightforward, mostly killing enemies under certain conditions, while others can be challenging.
As the name might imply, this is Quinten Beck (Mysterio)’s introduction in Insomniac’s Spider-Man universe, and it paints him in a more positive light.
Each one of these Mysteriums gives valuable tokens for upgrading, giving the player a tasks to overcome at each gate.
Under Construction
Location: Harem
Goal: Defeat all (20) enemies
The first but arguably one of the more challenging versions of the “defeat all enemies” objectives. The problem is primarily that there are multiple platforms that enemies can spawn on, and they’ll have firepower on their side. You’ll need to focus on taking down enemies in bulk, primarily using AOE damage whenever on a single platform.
Everyone’s a Critic
Location: Central Park
Goal: Defeat all (30) enemies
There are two phases to this fight. After taking down around 7 enemies, you’ll be teleported to a slightly more open area where Mysterio will intervene in your vigilantism. He’ll conjure a large octagon in which a giant fist will uppercut Spider-Man if he remains in it. This is on top of enemies armed with rocket launchers and metal pipes try to take you down.
Prison Break
Location: Upper East Side
Another two-parter Mysterium, after taking down a handful of enemies, you’ll be moved to a more mystical arena where Mysterio is waiting for you. You don’t actually have to engage with the floating wonder, but he will constantly be peppering you with attacks, and a single combo will put him out of commission a little while while you’re able to eliminate the rest of the thugs.
The Invisible Enemy
Location: Midtown
Goal: Use Finishers on (6) enemies
This fight is where the Mysteriums begin to get trickier. The first part is straightforward in that you’re tasked with taking down enemies with finishers. Putting them in the hospital by any other means won’t count towards the goal. After the first part, enemies will be invisible and there are two ways of approaching the situation: blindly wail or time your parries/dodges.
Fight on Time
Location: Chinatown
Goal: Use finishers on (6) enemies
Similar to The Invisible Enemy, your goal is to only kill enemies through finishers. There’s no invisible enemies to worry about, making this far easier. The second part does have more with guns, and there’s a large laser than will shoot down the middle of the arena from time to time, but this should be one of the easier and faster tasks you’ll face, especially if it’s done in the end game.
Punch Your Ticket
Location: Downtime Queens
Goal: Defeat (6) Brutes
Everybody hates brutes. You aren’t able to just mash the attack button on these oversized behemoths, but instead time your parries and dodged to take them down. Alternatively, finishers are also a fantastic means of putting them on the ground, but it does cost two bars. Also be warry of the train that runs through the middle of the map.
Location: Williamsburg
Goal: Don’t get hit
Here is where players will be put to the test. While you can get through the other missions without much issue, getting gold in Road Rage is hard because every hit will count towards the reduction of the rankings, with three strikes rewarding players with bronze. Considering there’s brutes, baddies with guns and dual wielders, parrying will become vital.
Grave Decision
Goal: Don’t get hit (3 rounds)
Similar to Road Rage, just with fewer roads, Grave Decisions will test your capabilities. There are multiple platforms to move between with the environmental hazard being Mysterio himself. He’ll frequently throw a giant mystical skull at Spider-Man, disrupting his combat with the other combatants. Even more challenging, it’s not a simple, kill 20 enemies, but get through three waves.
Fear of Heights
Location: Downtown Brooklyn
Goal: Knock (15) enemies into the void
After coming off the last two missions, this is somewhat refreshing. While Mysterio will be bugging you throughout the mission, all you really need to do kick or fling enemies off the arena. If you have a fully-upgraded Miles, such as being able to use your webshooter to throw enemies, then this will be a cakewalk. On top of that, the skulls Mysterio sends to disrupt you can be intercepted and thrown back in the enemy’s face, making things far easier.
And that’s all of the Mysteriums and what they have to offer. After completing all nine, players will be greeted to a final side quest and a number of creative boss fights. In the end, it’s all worth it as it not only unlocks various Hero Tokens, that can be used to upgrade your skills and unlock suits, but a Mysterio Suit for Miles. Now Spider-Man can wear the fishbowl.
