Having set sales charts alight with its two recent Spider-Man adaptations, it’s hard to imagine Disney being anything but delighted with Insomniac Games. With its Square Enix partnership now seemingly up in the air following the Japanese publisher’s deal with Embracer Group, Sony’s first-party studio might be about to receive even more creative freedom. What could turn out to be a setback for the studios that have been acquired might work in Marvel’s Wolverine’s favor.
The road now looks clear for Marvel’s Wolverine to feature some high-profile superhero cameo appearances. Beyond the obvious opportunity for Insomniac to connect its PS5 exclusive with its Marvel’s Spider-Man games, Bruce Banner and his green alter-ego should be towards the top of the studio’s wish list.
Wolverine and Hulk’s History
It might be hard to imagine thanks to each character’s separate success in Marvel’s recent Hollywood movies, but Wolverine and Hulk have a longstanding relationship. It’s no coincidence that the pair keep bumping into each other, considering the fact that Logan made his comic book debut alongside Bruce Banner’s alter-ego all the way back in 1974. Following a brief cameo appearance in issue 180 of The Incredible Hulk, the pair went toe-to-toe with each other in the follow-up issue. The fight was so iconic that it not only set Wolverine up as his own entity, it also ensured that multiple rematches were guaranteed.
Following their introduction to each other in 1974, plenty of interactions have taken place between the two characters. While the similarly hot-headed heroes have been known to work together begrudgingly on occasion, even these types of team-ups normally end in some sort of altercation. Their fights have subsequently transcended the pages of Marvel’s comic book universes to other forms of media, such as 2013’s animated Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk miniseries. One of the biggest reasons that a fight between the pair needs to happen in-game then is the simple fact that it’s almost become a tradition at this point.
It could be argued that Wolverine and Hulk have become as important to each other, as some relationships Insomniac Games has already explored in its Spider-Man titles. Even though the studio has admittedly earned a reputation for putting its own spin on historic events, there’s certainly enough source material for it to draw inspiration from. When it comes to gaming specifically, it's also worth keeping in mind that there aren’t too many memorable fights between the pair outside the Marvel-themed fighting games. The stage is therefore set for the studio to make another lasting impression on comic book history.
The Hulk Easter Egg
Even though Insomniac Games has so far given little away about its upcoming superhero game, the studio has released enough details to set the imagination of its fan-base racing. During Marvel’s Wolverine’s brief introductory trailer during last year’s PlayStation Showcase event, for example, several high-profile Easter eggs were sprinkled into the video. By far the biggest of these though was a reference that appears to directly point towards an in-game Hulk guest appearance.
It should be noted first of all that an Easter egg of this nature, in an announcement trailer, isn’t a guarantee that the Hulk will appear in Marvel's Wolverine. However, there’s no denying it’s highly suspicious that, out of all the references that Insomniac could have theoretically pulled from Marvel’s past, it actively chose to call out Bruce Banner’s alter-ego. In a blink and it’s gone moment in the video though, a license plate that reads ‘HLK 181’ can clearly be spotted hanging on the back wall of the bar.
This could mean that Marvel is on board with the idea of the Hulk being included. Based on interviews the studio has conducted in the past, details like the license plate have to be approved by Disney before Insomniac can implement them. What’s also potentially telling about the reference is the fact that it’s tied directly to the issue that the Hulk first fought Logan, rather than the preceding issue where the latter made his comic book debut. If the character’s owner is on-board for a cameo, a fight between the pair could be an achievable goal as well.
Boss Fight Potential
Historical precedence is one thing, but what really makes a fight between the two heroes feel like it should be a necessity for Marvel’s Wolverine is the potential benefits it could have on the quality of the game. It goes without saying that any form of interaction between the Hulk and Wolverine, be it in the present or via a flashback, would be a boon to the game story. The benefits that a fight could have on the gameplay side of the equation are arguably even bigger though and would likely be welcomed by most fans.
Right now, almost nothing is known about what Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Wolverine will be like to play. While Insomniac has established its comic book reputation via the two recently released Marvel’s Spider-Man games, it stands to reason that Logan won’t be exploring an open-world map in the same sort of way. Based on the character in question though, it’s fairly safe to assume that brutal visceral combat will be a cornerstone of the experience no matter which genre the studio settles on. In a game reliant on combat to that degree, having memorable boss fights can make or break its public reception.
It’s for that reason that the Hulk’s potential appearance shouldn’t be relegated to a simple supporting role. There’s an expectation among players that they’ll get to fight the character when he isn’t the main protagonist, so Insomniac should go all-in with an epic boss fight. While Wolverine has his fair share of popular adversaries, none arguably have the sheer star power of an Avenger.
Marvel’s Wolverine is in development for PS5.