When Marvel’s Spider-Man first launched on PlayStation 4, it was followed by three DLC expansions: The Heist, Turf Wars, and Silver Lining. These DLCs, collectively known as The City That Never Sleeps, extend the main storyline, connecting each chapter seamlessly with the base game. Downloadable content (DLC) is a great way to expand the gameplay experience, but is this expansion worth your time? Let’s break it down.

The Heist
The Heist takes place three months after the events of the main game and reintroduces Black Cat (Felicia Hardy), Spider-Man’s ex-girlfriend, who returns to New York City for a high-stakes robbery. The plot thickens as she steals hard drives linked to a hidden fortune coveted by mob boss Hammerhead. Black Cat informs Spider-Man that her son has been kidnapped, leading him into a tense gang war between rival crime families.

This DLC offers a compelling narrative that integrates well with the main game. It provides a deeper look into Black Cat as both an antagonist and an ally, giving players insight into her motivations. The entire DLC takes about three hours to complete, including side missions, making it a short yet engaging experience. The addition of mafia-style villains adds variety to combat, and unlocking new Spider-Man suits is a rewarding incentive for completionist.

However, The Heist lacks gameplay enhancements—there are no new combat skills or abilities for Spider-Man. While the story is strong, the gameplay remains unchanged, making it feel like an extension rather than an evolution. Still, for dedicated Spider-Man fans, the storytelling alone makes this DLC worth playing.

Turf Wars
Turf Wars picks up where The Heist left off, following Spider-Man and his ally, Yuri Watanabe, as they try to prevent Hammerhead from taking control of New York’s criminal underworld. This DLC introduces Hammerhead as the primary antagonist and continues the gritty, action-packed storyline.

While Turf Wars excels in storytelling, its gameplay additions are minimal. The only significant new enemy type is a heavily armed brute wielding a devastating minigun. Beyond that, the gameplay formula remains unchanged—no new skills or combat mechanics are introduced. However, the challenge is ramped up slightly, making fights more intense.

The DLC remains about three hours long, making it a digestible experience without overstaying its welcome. Players can unlock two additional Spider-Man suits, but beyond that, there isn’t much incentive to replay this expansion outside of experiencing the narrative. If you enjoyed The Heist, you’ll likely appreciate this continuation, but don’t expect groundbreaking gameplay innovations.

Silver Lining
The final chapter, Silver Lining, brings Silver Sable back to New York City as she seeks to reclaim stolen technology from Hammerhead, who has now used her advanced weaponry to make himself nearly invincible. Spider-Man teams up with Silver Sable in an explosive showdown that serves as a thrilling conclusion to the DLC saga.

While Silver Lining follows the same gameplay pattern as the previous DLCs, it offers the most challenging combat sequences. Maggia enemies are now equipped with high-tech armor, making them more difficult to defeat with standard web-based attacks. This added difficulty keeps players on their toes, making battles more strategic and engaging.

Once again, there are no new Spider-Man abilities or gameplay changes, but the intense action and satisfying conclusion make this DLC the strongest of the three. Players can unlock three additional suits, including the impressive Spider-Man Cyborg suit, a fan-favorite for its unique design. The full DLC trilogy takes around 9-10 hours to complete, making it a substantial expansion to the main game’s storyline.

Final Verdict: Is Spider-Man’s DLC Worth It?

Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps DLC pack provides a compelling continuation of the main game’s story, introducing new villains, allies, and challenges. While the storytelling is engaging and well-crafted, the biggest drawback is the lack of new gameplay mechanics. Each DLC feels more like an additional chapter rather than a true expansion that enhances Spider-Man’s abilities or combat system.

If you’re a fan of Spider-Man and love immersive storytelling, this DLC package is a worthwhile investment. However, if you’re looking for fresh gameplay mechanics, you might find it repetitive. The lack of new skills and combat upgrades limits the overall experience, which is why I rate this DLC 3/5. The story alone makes it enjoyable, but the gameplay could have offered more depth.

For those planning to replay the game in New Game+, unlocking all the new suits is a fun incentive, but don’t expect major gameplay innovations. If you love Spider-Man and want more of his world, this DLC is a great addition, but if you were hoping for a fresh gameplay experience, it falls a little short.

Rating: 3 out of 5.