Spider-Man 2 Launches with 'Mixed' Steam Reviews Due to PC Issues

Spider-Man 2 on PC initially seemed poised to deliver impressive performance once its system requirements were announced. However, the Nixxes-developed port launched with a mixed reception on Steam, marred by numerous technical complaints. Currently, only 55% of reviews are positive. An RTX 4090 user noted, “Even with a high-end GPU and the latest Nvidia drivers, the game crashes often.” Another remarked, “Completely unplayable on PC; it crashes to desktop every few minutes. I’ve requested a refund.”

One reviewer advised, “Hold off on purchasing until they release a few stabilization patches. It’s rough—lighting fails to load in some cutscenes, which run at a snail’s pace. Audio desync, freezing, stuttering, and countless other issues abound.” Another stated, “I’m getting a refund since there are better ways to spend $70 right now.”

The primary issue appears to stem from frequent crashes linked to the game’s graphics controller, even on high-end systems. One error message reads: “A problem has occurred with your display driver. Possible causes include outdated drivers, unsupported settings, overheating, or an issue with the game itself. Try updating your drivers or reducing in-game settings.”

Other players reported problems with features such as DLSS and ray tracing, along with long loading times, missing textures, and audio glitches. Some claimed performance stutters after extended gameplay, eventually leading to hard crashes. A few suspected a memory leak as the root cause.

In response to the reported crashes, Nixxes addressed concerns on the Steam forums, urging affected users to consult the troubleshooting guides on their support site. They emphasized providing logs and crash dumps for faster assistance. Additionally, Nixxes acknowledged bugs during photo-op missions, recommending lowering graphics settings or resolution for those experiencing framerates below 20 FPS.