Marvel’s Wolverine is a third-person action-adventure game developed by Insomniac Games. For the first time in a long while, the studio has swapped the web for raw, claw-fuelled fury. The action unfolds in the modern Marvel universe, before the emergence of the ‘X-Men’. Together with Logan, we’ll have to put a stop to the hunt for mutants. And thanks to his ability to tear enemies to pieces, the rescue mission becomes a truly spectacular affair. And the move away from an open world means the hero can be dropped into anywhere from Japan to Canada. So the ggteam couldn’t pass up such an exciting release and sharpened their claws to find out just what the new Wolverine game is like.
Synopsis
The action unfolds in the modern Marvel Universe, where technology designed to hunt down mutants threatens to wipe out an entire species before the X-Men even come into existence. Logan, also known as Wolverine, reunites with his former teammates from ‘Team X’ to bring down Bolivar Trask and his deadly programme. The team travels across the globe on this mission, whilst Logan simultaneously searches for answers about his past.
5 reasons to buy Marvel’s Wolverine
- We finally get to play as Wolverine
- A meaty and dynamic combat system
- You’re tired of ‘exploring’ open worlds
- You’re a fan of Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man
- No swords or guns. Just adamantium claws
1 reason to give Marvel’s Wolverine a miss
- They’d be better off making a Deadpool game
Plot: save the mutants whilst you still can
Mutants are being hunted even before the famous ‘X-Men’ have had a chance to unite. Logan, haunted by fragments of memories, reunites with ‘Team X’ — Mystique and Sabretooth — to prevent Bolivar Trask’s ‘Sentinel’ programme from wiping out their species. The story unfolds in various corners of the world — from the frozen Canadian forests to the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and the criminal underworld of Madripoor. The plot skilfully weaves personal struggles with broader global issues. Logan is portrayed as a weary hero, but he cannot stop, for those like him — and himself included — will simply be wiped out.
Logan is the most striking and best thing about this story. Illustration: Sony
All in all, the story turned out to be an interesting one. Logan is particularly memorable; he isn’t just a madman running about shouting ‘I’ll slaughter them all’ (though there’s a bit of that too). You find yourself wanting to know what happened to him before this, how he feels, and whether he’s actually thrilled by everything going on around him. The supporting characters didn’t disappoint either. Some are irritating, with others you’d actually like to spend more time with, whilst there are a few you’d love to destroy.
There were a few silly moments too, and you shouldn’t expect some mind-blowing plot, but for a superhero blockbuster, it works.
Gameplay: adrenaline with limited variety
Marvel’s Wolverine offers brutal and dynamic combat, where the sensation of being a wild beast with steel claws is a real treat. You’ll have to mix up combos, counter-attacks and Berserker Mode strikes to tear the villains to shreds. And the stealth elements, the ability to finish off enemies using environmental objects – such as hurling them into a wall of spikes – and the cinematic finishing moves add variety. And the boss battles best demonstrate that this is a classic superhero action game, where massive monsters fight to the death whilst everything around them explodes.
The boss battles are well-choreographed, and these were the moments I was most looking forward to. Illustration: Sony
You can forget about an open world. The game is divided into missions scattered across the world. However, you can also explore these areas to find secrets, collectibles and materials for upgrades. This allows players to unlock new costumes for Logan, gain access to more abilities and customise their combat style to suit their own preferences. Linear progression ensures a dynamic pace, whilst additional challenges and hidden areas reward curiosity. The result is a cycle that never gets tedious or overwhelms you with dozens of question marks.
The only issue with exploration is that at times the game is a bit too eager to hold your hand, as if you were three years old. Illustration: Sony
So this game is pure adrenaline from start to finish. The intensity of the combat and the linear structure provide just the right kind of adventure for a couple of evenings – one that may not stick in your memory for years to come, but will help you switch off and relax. The only thing I’d like to see is more variety in the enemies. Although it’s clear the game is trying to offer something new, Insomniac can clearly do better.
How Wolverine’s adamantium works
I’d like to say something about optimisation, but with Sony games it’s usually such a dull topic that you’re not even sure if this section is necessary. On the PlayStation 5 Pro, everything runs flawlessly. Not a single crash, bug or anything of the sort that might spoil the experience. It’s a somewhat forgotten technology, where the game is released and you can play through it straight away without having to wait for patches.
Textbook visuals
What AAA game these days would be complete without photorealistic environments? Get ready to travel from snow-covered Canadian forests to the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. The character models also meet all the standards of a blockbuster: Logan’s weathered face, defined muscles and blood-spattered suits show that at least one department was well worth the pay. During combat, the lighting and particle effects are particularly impressive: sparks from claws, blood and dynamic shadows create an atmosphere of non-stop action.
Superheroic audio
The music combines orchestral drama with influences from Westerns and Japanese culture to reflect Logan’s dynamic journey. The music shifts from sombre and atmospheric to thunderous during moments of violence, whilst sharp claws, powerful blows, gunfire and the roars of enemies heighten the atmosphere.
What makes Marvel’s Wolverine memorable
Marvel’s Wolverine is memorable for portraying Logan both as an unstoppable weapon and as a deeply vulnerable human being. His brutal actions are complemented by an emotionally rich story about trauma, identity, a found family and the persecution of mutants. The action, which unfolds in various corners of the world, adds dynamism to the game and gives it an Uncharted vibe. However, going forward, the developers still need to make an effort to diversify the gameplay and offer more variety, from enemies to mechanics.
Had it not been for the controversial leak in 2023, the game might have had a brighter future ahead of it. Still, it certainly delivers on its promise as superhero entertainment. Illustration: Sony
Five things you need to know about Marvel’s Wolverine
- Marvel’s Wolverine is the first standalone game featuring Wolverine since 2009
- This is Insomniac’s fourth full-fledged game for the PS5 generation
- Marvel’s Wolverine has moved away from an open world and offers a linear adventure
- You don’t need to be familiar with the entire X-Men backstory to play through it
- You’ll be slicing enemies to pieces the whole time
| Marvel’s Wolverine | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5 |
| Number of players | Single-player |
| Developer | Insomniac Games |
| Publisher | Sony |
| Playtime | 12–18 hours |
| Release date | 15 September 2026 |
For those who want to know more
Our game editor has been playing games since he was 4 years old and can't imagine himself without it. He has played 100+ games on PlayStation, but still considers The Last of Us Part II to be the best in the industry. In January 2022, he joined the gg team. He studies at the Faculty of Journalism at Kyiv International University.
