Picking up the Trail is the thirty-eighth main mission in Marvel's Spider-Man. Yuriko Watanabe contacts Spider-Man to ask for forensics help at Times Square. Following it, Spider-Man learns more about the origins of the Sinister Six, and battles Vulture and Electro.
Story[]
Yuri calls Spider-Man to let him know the department cannot do a forensics sweep of Times Square because everyone is sick. There, Spider-Man follows a dispersal trial into Doctor Octopus's lair.
At the lair, Spider-Man uncovers more of Otto's hatred for Norman Osborn and the origins of the Sinister Six group, as Otto Octavius made promises to them in exchange for their help, while Martin Li already shared Otto's distate of Osborn. He has also been searching for weakness to the armor worn by Sable International and has left messages for his "crew". One of them is for Scorpion about a "reservoir job".
Spider-Man sees a map of where each major villain has been assigned to strike at Oscorp. Mister Negative will go after the antiserum for Devil's Breath using "Icarus". Searching the lair further reveals that Icarus itself is just a ruse, as Otto has left behind a case full of explosive that Spider-Man trips upon opening.
Spider-Man escapes via a vent, only to be captured by Vulture and hauled across the city to a waiting Electro. Spider-Man defeats them both. Doctor Octopus over the phone tells Spider-Man that if he truly wanted to help the city, he would expose Osborn's crimes and promised he would have restored New York's power once he was done with Osborn. Spider-Man tells Otto he is sick and needs help, then leaves to take a quick nap to recover.
Walkthrough[]
Upon arriving at Times Square, players must complete a spectrograph puzzle in order to conduct their forensics investigation and uncover a dispersal pattern. Following the dispersal trail to the left leads up one of the buildings and into an access hatch. This hatch leads directly into Doctor Octopus's lair, and players then need to use their Electric Web to turn the lights on.
Searching the first few items reveals more about the Sinister Six history. A map rests on a table that appears blank. Nearby sits a UV lamp, however, and players must find the circuit breaker in order to turn it on (Electric Web again). Following further clues to "Icarus" leads to a cutscene, following a boss battle.
Boss battle[]
Players then fight Electro, having to dodge his electrical blasts. Web Shooters stun him enough to get off a few hits, then players need to dodge again. Destroying the transformer brings Vulture into the fight.
Vulture is fought by dodging his charge and blasts and then attacking him with Web Shooters and aerial melee attacks. Fighting solo against him is brief, as Electro then joins back in.
It is especially important to pay attention to Spider-Sense during this phase, as both villains have ranged attacks. Electro will remain hovering in place to send out electrical blasts, while Vulture will charge in or use his own blasts. Another transformer destruction brings the next phase, where players need to follow the on-screen prompts in order to fight Electro, and then the final phase begins.
Electro this time around is taken out quickly when players destroy the final transformer beneath him, and then the fight is just Spider-Man versus Vulture.
When both are defeated, "Streets of Poison" is available.