Honestly, walking through Insomniac’s New York feels different depending on what you’re wearing. It’s not just about looking "cool" for photo mode. When you swap to a new Spider-Man 2 suit, you're essentially choosing a vibe that dictates how you perceive the entire story. One minute you're Peter Parker in a sleek, high-tech Advanced Suit 2.0, and the next you’re a terrifying heap of organic black sludge as the Symbiote takes over. It changes the way the light hits the buildings. It changes the way the citizens react.
But with over 60 suits—and nearly 200 variations if you count the styles—it's easy to get overwhelmed. You've got legacy outfits from the Sam Raimi movies, the "Amazing" era, and the MCU, sitting right next to weird, original designs that look like they belong in a high-fashion runway show rather than a superhero fight.
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The Advanced Suit 2.0 vs. The Symbiote Reality
Most players start with the Advanced Suit 2.0. It’s the "canon" look. Compared to the first game’s version, the red is much more saturated—less orange, more blood-red. But everything shifts when the story forces you into the Black Suit. This isn't just a palette swap. It’s a narrative pivot.
The Symbiote suits in this game aren't static. They have textures that look like they’re breathing. If you look closely in photo mode, you can see the oily sheen moving. It's unsettling. And that’s the point. While the Advanced Suit 2.0 feels tactical and heroic, the Symbiote suits feel heavy.
How to actually unlock the best ones
You can't just buy everything at once. The game forces you to earn your threads through a mix of Leveling, Tech Parts, and specific tokens.
- City Tokens: You get these from Photo Ops and Marko’s Memories.
- Hero Tokens: These are harder to come by, usually requiring you to finish Symbiote Nests or those intense Hunter Bases.
- Rare Tech Parts: Found in Prowler Stashes or by completing Unidentified Targets.
If you’re hunting for the Classic Black Suit (the 90s cartoon look), you’ll need to hit Level 50 and cough up 100 Tech Parts and 2 Rare Tech Parts. It’s a grind, but for many, it’s the only way to play.
Why Suit Tech Matters More Than the Look
Here is the thing: the suit itself is cosmetic. The power comes from Suit Tech. In the first game, certain suits had specific "Suit Powers" tied to them. Not anymore. Now, you upgrade your "stats" across four categories: Health, Damage, Focus, and Traversal.
This was a smart move by Insomniac. It means you aren't forced to wear a suit you hate just because it has a powerful shockwave ability. You can wear the Spider-Punk vest (unlocked at Level 26) while having the health pool of a tank.
New Game Plus and the Ultimate Styles
If you've already rolled credits, the game isn't "done." Patch 1.002.000 added Ultimate Levels. This is where the real obsessive players live. By pushing past Level 60, you unlock new styles for the story-specific Symbiote suits.
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We’re talking about the Anti-Venom suit getting new colorways that weren't available in the base campaign. You also get Suit Tech Fusion, which lets you equip both perks in a single slot. It makes you feel genuinely over-powered, which is exactly how a post-game should feel.
The Controversy of the Evolved Suit
We have to talk about Miles. Specifically, the Evolved Suit.
When it debuted at the end of the story, the internet basically exploded. Some people loved the "originality" of the open-mask hair look. Others... well, they didn't. It’s a bold choice. It’s the suit Miles "creates" for himself, but it lacks the universal appeal of his Across the Spider-Verse suit (unlocked at Level 44).
If you hate the Evolved Suit, you're not alone. Many players immediately swap back to the Brooklyn 2099 or the S.T.R.I.K.E. suit. The beauty of this game is that you can completely ignore the "official" look the second the cutscene ends.
Actionable Tips for Suit Hunters
Don't waste your Hero Tokens early. It’s tempting to buy every style for the Level 10 suits, but you’ll regret it when you hit Level 50 and can't afford the Iron Spider.
Focus on clearing the Hunter Bases as early as possible. They give the biggest payouts for resources. Also, if you’re a fan of the animated look, don’t forget that the Into the Spider-Verse suits come with a "Film Style" animation toggle in the settings. This makes the frame rate of the character match the movies, which looks incredible against the 60fps background of the city.
Start by prioritizing the Traversal tech tree. Faster swinging and stronger Web Wings will help you clear the map activities 30% faster, making the resource grind for your favorite Spider-Man 2 suit much less of a headache.
Check your "Collections" tab often. Sometimes a suit is sitting there waiting to be crafted and you didn't even realize you hit the level requirement. New York is a big place, and you might as well look good while you’re saving it.