Considering how most of what players know about it can be boiled down to a 45-second teaser trailer, it’s remarkable just how much hype there is surrounding Marvel’s Wolverine. For several important reasons, though, it can be argued that fans are more than justified to be excited. It almost goes without saying, but the fact that Insomniac Games has already turned its metaphorical hand to the creation of two brilliant Spider-Man titles is arguably the biggest reason for optimism. If the studio puts as much care and devotion into bringing Logan’s corner of Marvel’s universe to life, then its PS5 exclusive superhero game could be a special affair.
Excitement for Marvel’s Wolverine goes deeper than the proven studio behind it, though. Due to the fact that the comic book publisher’s superhero has been a cornerstone of its endeavors since his debut in 1974, there’s an extensive catalog of games that carry his likeness. While each has its fair share of fans, and has raked in a sizable amount of money for Marvel, there’s a sense that the PS5 title could take things to a whole new level. Thanks to the way in which Sony has built its current generation controller in particular, Insomniac Games’ Wolverine has a clear advantage over all of his prior incarnations.
Wolverine’s DualSense Potential
With nearly 50 years worth of stories under his fictional belt, most fans already know what they’re signing up for when they buy into any piece of media that has Wolverine’s name on it. Gritty stories laced with heroism and visceral fight scenes are just two of the features that have become hallmarks of the hero over his storied career. Based on the brief announcement trailer that featured during the last PlayStation Showcase, it’s already clear that Marvel's Wolverine will have both in abundance. However, the fact that the game is being built around the PS5 exclusively means that Insomniac Games has one massive advantage over every other game that’s come before it.
Thanks to the DualSense controller, Insomniac Games has the opportunity to create a level of immersion that older Wolverine games simply couldn't reach with their older technology. In Marvel’s Wolverine, the process of retracting the hero’s claws for combat, and then using them to tear through enemies, should elicit some satisfying reactions from the PS5 controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Wolverine’s claws are already iconic, to the point that a special word has even entered the English language to describe the sound of them being used. With Sony’s latest console, there’s a sense that they should finally get the recognition they deserve in gaming though.
Players only have to look at Sony’s Santa Monica Studio and God of War 2018 for an indicator of how good Wolverine’s claws could be thanks to the DualSense. Kratos’ Leviathan Axe was celebrated in that game by fans and critics alike because of how satisfying it was to use from a feedback perspective. Setting aside actually swinging it, throwing and catching the axe alone was immensely rewarding. With Wolverine’s claws, Insomniac Games has the opportunity to create an even better set of tactile weapons now that controller technology has advanced. Retracting and pulling them back in, for example, is almost asking for a Leviathan Axe style glow-up.
Wolverine’s Gaming Legacy
Being a cornerstone of Marvel’s superhero pantheon, as well as a member of the X-Men and the Avengers, means that Wolverine has naturally appeared in his fair share of games over the years. Since 1989’s The Uncanny X-Men, the hero has made dozens of appearances in fighting games, RPGs, LEGO adaptations, and virtually every genre in-between. On a handful of occasions, he’s even been treated to his own solo adventure. What’s telling about these, though, is the fact that the focus on Wolverine hasn’t been enough to prevent the X-Men moniker from frequently pooping up. The character's last solo outing, 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is the perfect example of this despite its movie-tie in status.
While plenty of games that have featured Wolverine have been loved and championed by fans, it can be argued that none has become legendary because of the hero specifically. As iconic as games like Marvel Vs Capcom are among their fan-bases, Wolverine is just one part of a bigger equation. What’s telling is the fact that none of his singleplayer adventures, despite their gameplay accomplishments, can claim to be on the same level as Marvel’s Spider-Man in terms of sales or critical reception, either. With the upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine, Insomniac Games has the opportunity to use the advantages of the DualSense to create an experience on that level, something the character hasn’t been treated to in the past.
Disney and Sony's Relationship
Even though the pair have had their fair share of public disagreements over the years, particularly surrounding Spider-Man on the big screen, the relationship between Sony and Disney is the healthiest it's been for a while right now. That’s especially true of the latter and PlayStation, who have forged a close working partnership together on games like Marvel’s Spider-Man. Sony has seemingly even invested money into the upcoming Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake. Based on the foundation that’s already been built getting these projects off the ground, it stands to reason that Insomniac Games will be given free rein to bring Marvel’s Wolverine to life exactly how the studio has envisioned it.
As a result, it’s easy to imagine Insomniac being given the freedom to capitalize on the PS5’s DualSense capabilities to the fullest extent. Regardless of the route that the studio goes down whilst building its combat systems, physically feeling the hero's abilities through the controller should help to make the game the definitive Wolverine experience. Players only have to look at the evolution of the recent Spider-Man games to get reassurance on this. Even though 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man was a remarkable realization of the character in every department, its sequel and remastered re-release were elevated to another level due to the enhancements that were unlocked by the DualSense.
It should also be noted that Sony and Disney’s relationship bodes well for Marvel’s Wolverine more broadly speaking, too. Out of all the DC and Marvel superheroes that have become instantly recognizable icons, a case could be made for Wolverine being the most violent. Typically, R-rated stickers and their various media equivalents are a common sight on products that carry his likeness. Having hired the writer behind the gut-punch that is Spec Ops: The Line’s graphic depiction of war, all signs point to Insomniac Games’ desire to create a similar evocative and mature story for its newest hero. Thanks to the advantages afforded to it, there’s a sense that the studio will get its wish.
Marvel’s Wolverine is in development for the PS5.