Sony deserves credit for its ongoing efforts to broaden its video game-oriented interpretation of the Marvel Universe.
The Marvel’s Spider-Man titles developed by the experienced Insomniac Games studio for PlayStation have become some of the most popular and highly rated games on the platform, as well as being among the top open-world games of the last ten years.
Now, they are introducing Marvel’s Wolverine, featuring a darker version of their established narrative, highlighting the Canadian(ish) antihero James Logan Howlett.
The outcome is a fast-paced action experience that opts out of an open world in favor of unceasing progression — potentially surprising players with the most graphic combat seen in a contemporary comic adaptation, aside from Ryan Reynolds’s R-rated Deadpool films.
A direct narrative with a swift tempo
Marvel’s Wolverine is set in the same universe as Insomniac’s Spider-Man games, but don’t expect any unexpected crossovers — fittingly, as this is a distinctly different tale.
The familiar X-Men do not appear in this narrative; instead, we follow the irritable mutant with metal claws and regenerative abilities as a member of Team X, a small squad that also includes the shape-shifter Mystique and Sabretooth (similar to Logan but larger and more aggressive), guided by Nathaniel Essex, who gives off an unsettling impression akin to a darker version of Professor X.
The young mutant Leech (left) encounters Team X’s leader Nathaniel Essex in Marvel’s Wolverine. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Players will confront foes such as Bolivar Trask, the creator of the mutant-hunting Sentinel robots, and Lady Deathstrike — Logan’s occasional love interest and rival, who leads the Hand order of ninjas.
In contrast to Spider-Man’s open-world representation of Manhattan, Wolverine guides you on a mostly linear journey through various settings, including Tokyo and the fictional Southeast Asian nightlife hub of Madripoor.
Classic X-Men characters Mystique, Wolverine, and Sabretooth start the story as allies. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Most players will likely finish the game in about 12 to 15 hours, while the Spider-Man titles could easily take almost twice as long. This game resembles a high-octane action movie or a comic book miniseries, with each chapter featuring a new location or villain subplot.
It’s bloody … extremely bloody
In contrast to the teen-rated combat of the Spider-Man games, Wolverine fully utilizes his claws, resulting in a Mature rating and more.
With just a few button presses, Logan can dismember, eviscerate, and impale enemies with astonishing speed and brutality, splattering blood across the landscape and his outfit.
Combat in Marvel’s Wolverine is swift, fierce, and excessively bloody. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Fighting is smooth and generally intuitive, with most attacks assigned to the square and triangle buttons; using the triggers and other buttons activates enhanced moves like spinning Logan’s claws in a cyclone or propelling himself like a drilling projectile.
Maintaining momentum is crucial; by consistently jumping at foes and countering attacks, players can fill a rage meter that amplifies damage and unlocks critical hits capable of taking down most low-level enemies in a single strike. Slowing down your approach will cause you to lose many bonuses, complicating matters in the long run.
The game is less bloody when Wolverine uses his claws on mutant-hunting Sentinel robots, but he applies the same tactics to softer human enemies. Use your imagination if you feel the need. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Players will encounter quieter segments, such as exploring Team X’s base or interacting with mutants at the Princess bar in Madripoor, but don’t expect intricate espionage like in the recent 007 First Light. These moments primarily serve to provide a respite before plunging back into yet another onslaught of enemies.
This is also a Jean Grey story
Fans of Wolverine’s history in both films and comics know he often finds himself in a romantic triangle with Cyclops and Jean Grey.
Jean, an immensely powerful telepath and telekinetic, is the key supporting character in this narrative, while Cyclops is entirely absent.
Fellow mutants on the run, Jean Grey and Logan a.k.a. Wolverine, share a rare moment of peace in the fictional Marvel city of Madripoor. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
This paves the way for a love story that unfolds with greater depth than usual between Logan and Jean, gradually becoming the focal point of the game’s plot.
Jean also travels with Logan for much of the latter part of the game, levitating debris to create paths or assisting in battles by immobilizing enemies for Logan to attack, for instance.
Canada briefly in the spotlight
Most iterations of Wolverine hail from Canada, having originated in Alberta and been part of the country’s clandestine Weapon X project, crossing paths with Alpha Flight — Canada’s version of the Avengers.
While this backstory is not significant here, players will spend time in the Canadian North, where Team X’s hidden base is located. You will also stroll through the snow, indulge in some off-brand Canadian rye whiskey in Logan’s log cabin, and first meet Jean in Vancouver before engaging in a motorcycle chase along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
Wolverine takes a brief stroll through the snow on his way to his log cabin, but the fighting will soon recommence. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Insomniac’s art directors made significant efforts to accurately depict the environment, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language) on highway signage.
However, the action is so fast-paced during this segment that players are likely to overlook them as they leap from truck to truck and throw enemies to their demise.
The new Marvel’s Wolverine video game features B.C. landmarks and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, the Squamish Nation’s language, on highway signs. Senior art director Gavin Goulden explains why including the language was important for authentically representing the region.
A story that surpasses the gameplay
Insomniac’s Spider-Man games are known for their narratives that creatively reinterpret the origins of beloved characters, often surprising even the most knowledgeable comic book enthusiasts, and Wolverine follows suit.
(Although review embargoes prevent a detailed plot summary, the game presents some innovative twists on Jean’s backstory that will either fascinate or frustrate X-Men fans.)
Players often find themselves engrossed in the final chapters and narrative climax — to the extent that when the non-interactive cutscenes conclude and control returns, it can feel more like a duty than enjoyment.
Some cutscenes exhibit a cinematic quality reminiscent of action films, with brief slow-motion moments that pay tribute to iconic pages or covers from Marvel comics. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
The fact that certain boss encounters, while visually impressive, do not substantially differ from other battles; they simply require more time to defeat, adds to this feeling.
It is a testament to Insomniac’s visual and directing teams that I found myself contemplating the performances of the actors much like I would for any other story-driven game.
The faces of most main characters are at least somewhat based on the likenesses of their voice actors. They exhibit remarkable animation — particularly Liam McIntyre’s Wolverine, who conveys both intense rage and heartfelt empathy, especially in scenes with Krizia Bajos’s Jean Grey.
However, they evoke a sense of the uncanny valley, as the surrounding world appears to be drawn from the more stylized artwork of contemporary comic books.
Logan discovers a mask worn by an enemy from The Hand after a particularly bloody confrontation. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Despite its shorter playtime and more focused scope, Insomniac did not dilute the experience for its inaugural X-Men venture. In fact, Marvel’s Wolverine might represent the purest expression of the character’s most brutal comic book incarnations — rich in unfiltered violence yet also showcasing the emotional drama central to numerous X-stories.
If you own a PlayStation 5 — and can handle a more graphic experience than most — this game is a must-play.
Marvel’s Wolverine will be exclusively available for Sony’s PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro starting September 15.
Marvel’s Wolverine features the Canadian(ish) X-Man in an original narrative crafted by Insomniac Games. (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)