Following up on the masterclass of the Spider-Man series was always going to be a monumental challenge for Insomniac Games. While Marvel's Wolverine on PlayStation 5 promises a darker, bloodier dive into the iconic mutant's lore, early impressions reveal a game that struggles to live up to its massive potential.
A Darker Path for Logan
Set years before the formation of the X-Men, the narrative follows a disenfranchised Logan who finds himself tangled up with Sabretooth and Mystique. The conflict ignites when their mentor, Nathaniel Essex, is kidnapped by mutant-hating billionaire Bolivar Trask.
Actor Liam McIntyre delivers a stellar performance as Logan, supported by stunning character art. His complex dynamics with Sabretooth and a blossoming bond with Jean Grey offer genuine emotional weight. However, the game's attempts to explore Logan’s deep-seated trauma are often reduced to generic gameplay challenges, such as timed parkour and wave-based horde battles.
Brutal But Repetitive Combat
Wolverine is, at his core, an aggressive brawler. Insomniac captures this savage energy with a highly kinetic moveset. Players can parry, shred, leap, and unleash devastating special moves like the tornado spin. Earning XP unlocks new combos and DNA upgrades, while a three-stage rage meter builds up to transform Logan into an unstoppable force of carnage.
Yet, despite the variety of moves, the combat quickly loses its luster. Unlike the fluid, creative web-slinging battles of Spider-Man or the deep mechanics of Bayonetta, Wolverine often devolves into repetitive button-mashing. Most encounters can be cleared by simply spamming parries and basic combos, turning potentially epic fights into a tedious chore.
A Seductive but Closed World
Players expecting an expansive, bustling playground like Insomniac’s Manhattan will be disappointed. Marvel's Wolverine is a highly linear experience.
While the game features gorgeous, detailed backdrops like Tokyo and Madripoor, these environments are heavily restricted by invisible walls and closed-off roads. Instead of an active world to explore, the stages act as theatrical backdrops guiding players from one scripted action sequence to the next.
While the polished visuals and brutal action will satisfy hardcore X-Men fans looking for easter eggs, Marvel’s Wolverine lacks the rhythmic joy of Spider-Man and the heavy impact of the Batman Arkham series. Ultimately, Logan’s highly anticipated solo adventure feels less like a revolutionary superhero epic and more like a beautifully packaged, old-school brawler.
