How to Unlock the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU Suit and Secret Photos

Master the secret photo challenge to unlock the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit. Learn requirements, level caps, and suit power comparisons.

For completionists swinging through the streets of Manhattan, the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit represents the ultimate badge of dedication. Unlike many other costumes that appear in your crafting menu as you progress through the main story, this specific outfit remains hidden until you fulfill very specific criteria. The Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit is widely considered a secret reward, reserved for players who are willing to explore every nook and cranny of the city beyond the standard objective markers.

The Prestige of the Empire State University Look

In the world of Peter Parker, balance is everything. While he spends most of his time in high-tech armor or reinforced spandex, the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit offers a refreshing, casual aesthetic. It features Peter wearing an Empire State University t-shirt, cargo pants, and sneakers, topped off with the classic Spider-Man mask. According to community reports, this "casual Spidey" look is a fan favorite for photo mode, as it captures the relatable, "everyman" essence of the character.

Unlike the Advanced Suit or the Stark Suit, the ESU variant does not come with a dedicated Suit Power. However, players often report that the lack of a power is offset by the sheer bragging rights associated with its acquisition. It is one of the few suits that requires you to master a hidden mechanic: the Secret Photo Ops.

Unlock Requirements for the ESU Suit

Unlocking this suit is a two-fold process that requires both high-level progression and meticulous exploration. Based on player experience documented in community guides, you cannot simply craft this suit with tokens. Instead, you must reach the level cap and engage with the city's hidden landmarks.

Level 50 Requirement

First and foremost, you must reach Level 50. This is the standard level cap for the base game progression. You earn experience points (XP) by completing main story missions, side quests, stopping crimes, and performing air acrobatics. By the time you reach Level 50, you will have likely unlocked the majority of the other suits in the game, making the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit one of your final acquisitions.

The 50 Secret Photo Ops

The most challenging part of the process is finding all 50 secret photos. These are distinct from the "Landmark" photos that are clearly marked on your map. Secret photos do not appear on the mini-map unless you have the "Proximity Sensor" suit mod equipped (which is unlocked at level 50). These photos usually depict small details, such as specific murals, statues, or unique architectural features that aren't considered major New York City landmarks.

Requirement TypeCriteriaNotes
Minimum LevelLevel 50The suit will not unlock even if photos are found earlier.
Collectibles50 Secret PhotosThese are hidden and not marked on the main map.
Crafting CostNoneThis suit is a reward and costs 0 tokens.
Suit PowerNonePurely aesthetic reward for completionists.

Comparing the ESU Suit to Other Secret Unlocks

The Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit is part of a small group of "special condition" suits. Most suits in the game are unlocked by reaching a certain level and then spending a combination of Crime, Base, Landmark, Research, or Challenge tokens. The ESU suit, however, follows the tradition of the "Undies" suit and the "Dark Suit," which are tied to specific completionist goals rather than currency.

Special Condition Suits Comparison

Suit NameUnlock ConditionAssociated Power
ESU SuitLevel 50 + 50 Secret PhotosNone
Undies100% Game CompletionEqualizer (One-hit KOs for everyone)
Dark SuitComplete all Black Cat StakeoutsNone
Anti-Ock SuitComplete mission "Pax in Bello"Resupply (Gadget refill)
Spider-Man 2099 BlackLevel 29Low Gravity (Enhanced aerial combat)

As shown in the table above, the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit shares a "Power: None" status with the Dark Suit. Community reports suggest that these suits are intended to be cosmetic trophies rather than gameplay-altering tools. If you are looking for raw power, you might prefer the Anti-Ock suit or the Iron Spider suit, but for style, the ESU variant is hard to beat.

Progression and Suit Leveling

To reach the level required for the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit, you will naturally unlock a variety of other gear. The game rewards consistent play, and by the time you are hunting for secret photos, your arsenal will be quite formidable. Below is a breakdown of the suits you will encounter on your journey toward level 50.

Level-Based Suit Unlocks

LevelSuit NameToken Requirements
Level 5Spider Armor MK II1 Landmark, 2 Research
Level 10Stark Suit1 Base, 3 Crime, 1 Research
Level 16Spider-Punk2 Backpack, 3 Crime, 2 Landmark
Level 23Stealth ("Big Time")2 Base, 4 Challenge, 3 Landmark
Level 31Iron Spider3 Base, 3 Challenge, 4 Crime
Level 37Spirit Spider6 Base, 6 Challenge, 6 Crime
Level 45Last Stand Suit20 Crime
Level 50ESU Suit50 Secret Photos (No Tokens)

This progression shows that the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit sits at the very top of the leveling ladder. While the Last Stand suit requires a heavy investment in Crime Tokens, the ESU suit requires an investment in time and observation.

The Role of Suit Powers in Gameplay

While the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit does not have a unique power, it is important to remember that in the Remastered version of the game, once you unlock a suit power, you can equip it on any suit you own. This means you can wear the casual ESU outfit while utilizing the devastating abilities of other suits.

For example, player experience suggests that pairing the ESU look with the "Web Blossom" power (from the Classic Suit) or "Iron Arms" (from the Iron Spider Suit) creates a fun juxtaposition between Peter's civilian-looking clothes and his superhuman capabilities.

  • Quips (Vintage Comic Book Suit): This adds to the casual, fun-loving vibe of the ESU outfit by making Spider-Man shout jokes during combat.
  • Battle Focus (Advanced Suit): A practical choice for those who want to focus on finishers while looking like a college student.
  • Low Gravity (2099 Black Suit): Enhances the feeling of freedom while swinging through the city in jeans and a t-shirt.
  • Arms Race (Secret War Suit): Useful for crowd control if you find yourself overwhelmed while hunting for those final secret photos.

Tips for Finding the 50 Secret Photos

Finding all 50 photos to unlock the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit can be daunting. Community reports highlight several strategies to make this hunt easier. Since these photos are not marked on the main map, you must rely on your eyes—or the right equipment.

  1. Wait Until Level 50: You technically can take these photos at any time if you know where they are, but at Level 50, you unlock the Proximity Sensor mod. This mod makes the secret photo locations appear on your mini-map when you are close to them.
  2. Systematic District Search: Manhattan is divided into several districts (Financial District, Chinatown, Upper West Side, etc.). Community guides recommend clearing one district at a time to ensure you don't miss any small murals or statues.
  3. Look for the Unusual: If you see a statue of a historical figure that isn't a major landmark, or a particularly detailed piece of graffiti, try pulling out your camera. There is a high chance it is one of the 50 requirements for the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit.
  4. Check the Parks: Many secret photos are located in Central Park or smaller neighborhood parks, often depicting memorials or specific trees.

Mastery and Completionism

The journey to the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit is often the penultimate step for players seeking the Platinum Trophy or 100% completion. The final reward, the "Undies" suit, requires you to complete every single activity in the game, including all DLC if applicable. However, many players find the ESU suit more satisfying because it requires active searching rather than just following icons on a map.

It is also worth noting that the Remastered version includes various DLC suits, such as the Resilient Suit and the Spider-UK Suit. These are often granted by owning the DLC or completing specific story chapters, but they don't carry the same "secret" status as the ESU reward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit have a special ability?

No, the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit does not come with its own unique Suit Power. It is a cosmetic reward for finding all 50 secret photos and reaching level 50. However, you can equip any previously unlocked Suit Power while wearing the ESU suit.

How do I see the secret photos on my map?

To see the secret photo locations on your mini-map, you must reach Level 50 and equip the Proximity Sensor suit mod. Once equipped, a camera icon will appear on your mini-map whenever you are near one of the 50 hidden locations required for the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit.

Can I unlock the ESU suit before finishing the main story?

Yes, as long as you have reached Level 50 and found all 50 secret photos, you can unlock the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered ESU suit. While reaching Level 50 usually happens near the end of the game, it is possible to grind for XP through side activities and crimes before completing the final story missions.

Is the ESU suit required for 100% completion?

While the suit itself is a reward for a specific type of completion (the secret photos), player experience suggests that obtaining every suit is a common goal for those aiming for total game mastery. The secret photos themselves are a hidden collectible category that adds to your overall completion progress.

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