The continued trend of Marvel properties in the gaming sphere has wielded mixed results. On one hand, Eidos Montreal's Guardians of the Galaxy was a great experience, offering a fresh take on the misfit group while staying true to the source material. On the other, Crystal Dynamics' somewhat underwhelming take on the Avengers may have been the reason why Guardians of the Galaxy underperformed in sales. Marvel in the realm of video games has not been as consistent as the cinematic universe, but with the announcement of Marvel's Wolverine, the company could finally start to steady the ship.
Wolverine is one of the most beloved personalities in comics, and while he has seen outings on the Xbox 360, Game Boy, and even the NES, none have been as hotly anticipated as the upcoming title from Spider-Man creator, Insomniac. The company's impressive slate of previously developed games was enough to make players believe the project could be Wolverine's shot at gaming redemption. Logan is a character that many are familiar with, and as such, there are a litany of expectations that come with his presence.
Claw-Based Combat
Though he may be known for eccentric sideburns and a gruff personality, the defining trait of Wolverine is undoubtedly his retractable Adamantium claws. The metal bonded to his skeleton as part of the Weapon X program made his natural claws razor sharp and near-indestructible, so the potential for thrilling combat encounters in Marvel's Wolverine is endless. It's surely a safe bet that the game won't be set in first-person, and skirmishes will likely consist of fast-paced, Arkham-esque brawling, a philosophy that worked beautifully in Insomniac's Spider-Man titles.
Logan is far from the precise fighter that Iron Fist or Daredevil is, though. He's a survivor, often finding confrontation that requires more than a delicate touch to overcome. His aggressive nature could make use of multiple, interchangeable fighting styles, similar to the ones found in the Yakuza series. Violence comes with the Wolverine territory, so with the character's history including numerous wars and endless disagreements, the developer's approach to the topic should be liberal and unapologetic. It would be naive to assume combat won't feature heavily in Marvel's Wolverine, but the way in which it is delivered is very important.
A Backstory Worthy of The Wolverine
Logan's character has been explored in detail in the pages of comics, and many find that the character is at his best in his later years. However, Wolverine's life span is far longer than a regular, non-mutant human. He was born in the 19th century and has led a long life thanks to his famous healing factor. Having origins so far from the 21st century means he's been through plenty of life-changing occurrences, like finding a (temporary) home in Japan and teaming with Captain America in World War 2.
Guardians of the Galaxy's use of the past could be a huge inspiration for Marvel's Wolverine, as the former uses 1980s cheese to give the game a deep sense of identity. Logan's relationship with history is a far less uplifting affair, but weaving his checkered past into the fabric of the story, tone, and atmosphere would do well to remind players that they're only experiencing a glimpse of Logan's life. He's a man that has been molded so harshly by the world around him, and with it changing so rapidly since his 1800s birth, leaning into his backstory could provide emotional, tense, or all-around impactful moments.
X-Men Cameo Appearances
Though his personal history in one that has made for plenty of great films and pivotal comics, Wolverine is best known as an essential member of the X-Men. One of the most recognizable teams in all fiction, the X-Men have used their mutant powers to save the world on numerous occasions. Their eclectic abilities make them an effective means for good, and though Insomniac's upcoming title has only confirmed Wolverine's inclusion, fans will surely have a cameo or two on their wishlist. From the weather manipulator Storm to Professor X, there's a litany of characters that the developer could utilize to satisfy fans' desires.
The project has serious Old Man Logan vibes, so expecting him to heroically team up with rest of the X-Men would be unwise. This will likely be a more character-focused affair, and it could present a Wolverine that is aging, isolated, and past his prime. It's an exciting thought for so many, especially those who cherish the 2017 film Logan as the best in the silver-screen X-Men saga. Guardians of the Galaxy is the Marvel team-up that gaming has been missing for so long, so Insomniac has the freedom to explore the more emotionally-weighted and traumatized side of the character. Even so, the inclusion of a subtle blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo from one of the famous X-Men would be a real treat.
A Focus on Mature Audiences
Though the X-Men do well to hide it, Wolverine is a brutal character. A history of violence and a tragic backstory have been vital to the character that fans know and love today, and with the writer of Spec Ops: The Line at the helm, all signs point to something more mature. A higher rating means more freedom to explore serious themes, and as the developer cut its teeth on franchises like Ratchet and Clank and Spyro the Dragon, this project could be the one to bring something new, like The Last of Us did for Naughty Dog.
Am M Rating will likely mean it takes a hit in sales, as the heavier tone won't cater to all audiences, which is something that Marvel have always strived to achieve. However, with Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man, and the plethora of Marvel-centric LEGO games available, it may be a wise move to make Marvel's Wolverine stand out from the family-friendly crowd. Wolverine can't be done justice while adhering to a Teen rating, so fans of the character will likely be hoping that the upcoming game doesn't shy away from violence.
Marvel's Wolverine is in development for PS5.