Since 2018, developer Insomniac Games has carved out a strong reputation for successfully bringing Marvel’s characters and worlds to life in video game format.Marvel’s Spider-ManandMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Moraleshave been met with varying degrees of critical acclaim, and the series seems to nail everything from high-octane set pieces to moment-to-moment gameplay while also showing a human side to the protagonists. WithMarvel’s Wolverineon the horizon, Insomniac must attempt to strike a similar balance with Logan.
TheMarvel’s Spider-Manseries has managed to deliver compelling stories that balance action, drama, and intrigue almost perfectly. Credit should go to not only Insomniac but also to the highly talented actors and motion capture artists who were able to convey a wide range of emotions. There’s no doubt thatMarvel’s Wolverinewill be heavy on action, as it should be, but among all of that, it has an opportunity to show a human side to the character that has rarely been seen in video game form before.
Marvel’s Wolverine Should Ensure Logan’s Human Side is Showcased
Insomniac Struck a Fine Balance With its Spider-Man Games
Marvel’s Spider-Manand its sequels provide players with the most comprehensiveSpider-Manvideo experience to date. Everything from web-swinging around the city of New York to solving puzzles feels organic and authentic, and Insomniac’s passion for its source material is clear to see. Not only do the games provideaction set pieces to rival those of a series likeUncharted, but much of the downtime between big missions is spent playing as Parker, or Morales, as they try to navigate their daily lives. It’s a balance that, if done incorrectly, could ruin the series' pacing, but thanks to some masterful decision-making with narrative and casting this is never the case.
The character of Wolverine has long been considered one of Marvel’s most popular.Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverinein numerous movies brought a whole new side to the character, introducing a more intimate, caring nature hidden beneath his rock-hard exterior.
Jackman has become synonymous with the character and is even reprising his role for thehighly anticipatedDeadpool and Wolverine, but this side of Logan has not really been explored within video games, andMarvel’s Wolverineis the perfect opportunity to rectify that. Having players spend time with Logan’s claws retracted will help them to relate to the character, and as long as Insomniac gets its casting choice right, it could help to humanize the whole experience.
Details for Marvel’s Wolverine are Scarce
Unfortunately, in 2023,Insomniac Games was targeted by a ransomware attackleading to several details being leaked, including early footage of gameplay. Despite this, Insomniac is determined to release official information as and when it is ready, and so far all that has been released is a short teaser trailer that shows not much of anything at all besides Wolverine sitting in a bar. If the narrative can focus on Wolverine and Logan equally, the project should be able to reach the same emotional heights as theMarvel’s Spider-Manseries.
Marvel’s Wolverine
Marvel’s Wolverine is a third-person action game from Insomniac Games that is set in the same universe as the studio’s Spider-Man titles.
