Marvel’s Wolverine review, stronger claws than missions

Our overall impression of Marvel’s Wolverine is positive. Insomniac gives Logan a commanding presence, keeps the action direct and invests heavily in its characters. The reservations concern how far those foundations develop. Combat needs greater depth, while missions would benefit from giving the player more initiative.

We land at 7.5 out of 10. The spectacle is a considerable strength, but it cannot always disguise familiar solutions. Wolverine is most appealing when Logan’s abilities offer possibilities beyond following the route to the next fight.

The claws make an impact, but progression needs depth

Fast attacks, special abilities and violent finishers make the combat immediately accessible. Looking impressive does not demand an enormous library of combinations, a sensible starting point for a character whose attacks should communicate force.

There are practical reasons to assess a group before attacking. A kick can break an enemy’s defense, commanders can become priority targets and inhibitors can temporarily disable abilities. Those combat elements give encounters a structure beyond simply picking the nearest opponent.

The problem is how much develops around that structure. Unlocks expand the repertoire, yet progression offers limited depth. Another spectacular move does not necessarily change the decision an encounter asks you to make.

We would welcome more situations that encourage a different use of the available tools. That need not mean punishing difficulty. It means that learning another ability should create a worthwhile reason to reconsider an established approach. Forceful combat and predictable combat can exist in the same game.

A focused campaign that directs too much

A linear adventure is a sound fit for Wolverine. It lets Insomniac move between locations, concentrate the action and position a chase or battle where it serves the campaign. Logan does not need a city covered in activity markers to justify his own game.

That focus also makes weaker transitions more noticeable. Heavy guidance and restrictions on movement leave fewer opportunities to discover a route independently. A clear destination can coexist with meaningful choices about how to reach it.

Logan’s heightened senses are particularly well suited to investigation. We would like them to ask more of the player than locating the next objective. Interpreting a clue gives the ability a more interesting role than simply supplying directions.

Optional challenges have a place in progression, but they do not fully compensate for the limited variety. Leaving the main route should offer something with a stronger identity of its own. Our coverage of Wolverine’s early previews explored the initial discussion around that structure.

Logan has presence, even when the story is uneven

Exploring Logan’s past gives the adventure room to do more than demonstrate his capacity for violence. Vulnerability matters because it provides context for the action and makes room for a story beyond a succession of tougher enemies.

Performances are among the game’s strongest assets. Voice work and facial expression support its human dimension, giving Logan presence when combat is no longer the center of a scene.

The narrative is less convincing as a whole. Its uneven development limits what it achieves with an appealing protagonist. A strong performance can improve an individual moment without making the surrounding story equally compelling.

Presentation adds substantial value. Distinct environments and detailed characters support the cinematic ambition, though a change of scenery need not change the actions a mission requires. For readers interested in the themed hardware, our Wolverine limited-edition PS5 coverage covers its console designs and accessories.

Why our verdict is 7.5

Wolverine earns a positive assessment for its direct action, compelling lead and carefully produced presentation. There is enough here to recommend it to someone looking for a guided campaign built around Logan.

To go further, it needs deeper combat and more engaging decisions between battles. Limited progression, repetition and restrictive guidance reduce the opportunities to experiment with the character.

Those shortcomings matter more if you prioritize an intricate action system or the freedom to find your own solutions. If Logan and a focused cinematic adventure are the main attraction, Wolverine has enough strengths to deserve consideration.

This assessment draws on Víctor Muñoz Olleta’s general impressions and the linked documentation on combat, missions and story.