If you're just stepping out in your Spider Suit and web-slinging into the world of Spider-Man 2, you may be keen to know how best to get around the bustling streets of New York. Learning how to scan in Spider-Man 2 is the key to doing just that and exploring all that the environment has to offer playing as Peter Parker or Miles Morales, including finding mission objectives, discovering secrets, and much more.
There is so much to see and discover across the vast open world of New York City, and it might leave you feeling a bit lost deciding where to go or what to do first, especially when first starting the game. Fortunately, scanning the environment can help you on your way to getting around New York and its various Districts and slinging webs to points of interest and activities in no time.
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click to enlargeWhat is scanning in Spider-Man 2?
Scanning in Spider-Man 2 is something you can do to identify core features in the environment such as points of interest, mission objectives, collectables, special items, and certain NPCs or enemies. There is plenty to see in the vast New York, such as the City Tokens you can earn through completing side quests. Think of it a bit like finding environmental waypoints and markers like Eagle Vision in the Assassin's Creed franchise, except you're using Spidey's eyes to spot those key, worthwhile things.
You can also scan the environment for clues if you're looking to find where to go next in a mission and are stuck on where to go, as scanning reveals interactable objects that could be crucial, making scanning an invaluable and handy mechanism to keep coming back to regularly to discover more and progress.
How to scan
There are quite a few Spider-Man 2 controls to get to grips with and abilities to learn when playing as Peter or Miles. Fortunately, learning how to scan is pretty straightforward. To scan in Spider-Man 2, simply press the right analogue stick (R3) on a PlayStation control to scan the environment. Once you've identified an icon of interest, aim in real time and tap R3 again to tag and mark it with a waypoint so you know how to reach it.
Scanned environmental markers will remain displayed until you start web-slinging or gliding your way to another district through Spider-Man 2's fast travel system or if you try to complete a task. The display also disappears if you need to reload the area. However, it doesn't matter if you're swinging around or engaging in combat, as tapping R3 in these kinds of situations still lets you do a quick scan to see what's about.
Helpfully, scanned icons also have different colour categories, such as purple for rooftops. This can make it much easier to find what you're looking for with scan mode active once you get to know the different icon markers and what they mean, enabling you to quickly set off to your next destination.
That's everything to know about how to scan in Spider-Man 2. Check out more of our guides for more tips and tricks, including how to air yank and how to change the time of day.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Spider-Man 2 page.