Marvel's Wolverine review: Uninspired action carried by Logan's puppy-dog charm

A Linear Journey with a Familiar Formula

Marvel's Wolverine is built on a foundation that feels undeniably familiar to fans of the PlayStation ecosystem. Developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the title was tested on the PS5 Pro and released for PS5 on September 15, 2026. The game adopts a linear structure, eschewing the expansive open-world design of its predecessor in favour of a more focused, campaign-driven experience. This decision could have offered a refreshing sense of compactness and concentrated storytelling, but instead, it risks feeling like a repetitive slog for those accustomed to the freedom of an open world.

The game’s mechanics are a blend of established tropes that Insomniac has refined over years of development. Players can slash enemies with Square, finish combos with Triangle, and leap into mid-range attacks. Stealth takedowns allow for single-blows executions, while special attacks on cooldowns are triggered via L2 and face buttons. These abilities unlock progressively as the player levels up, offering a light RPG-lite layer to the experience. However, the core combat loop remains largely unchanged from previous titles, relying heavily on parrying, dodging, and rage-based upgrades that feel more like refinements than innovations.

The rage meter system is particularly telling of the game’s approach. By attacking enemies or performing a "barrage"—mashing Square at stunned foes—players can fill the meter to unlock powerful finishers. At one bar, attacks become more devastating; at two bars, Wolverine transforms into a full-blown berserker, executing basic grunts and damaged foes with ease. While this system adds depth, it also reinforces the game’s reliance on a single, predictable combat rhythm that can wear thin over time.

Characterisation: The Bright Spot in an Otherwise Underwhelming Package

Where Marvel's Wolverine truly shines is in its portrayal of Logan. Unlike previous iterations where the character was often reduced to a one-dimensional action hero, this version of Wolverine is openly vulnerable, emotive, and apologetic. Liam McIntyre’s performance brings a layer of puppy-dog charm to the role, capturing Logan’s sadness and warmth in a way that feels genuinely human. He drops good one-liners, engages in air-punching moments, and delivers expected catchphrases, but he also kisses, hugs, and rests his head on shoulders, showing a side of the character that is rarely seen in video games.

The narrative setup further enhances this emotional depth. Set in an alternate universe where the X-Men do not exist as a team, Logan is a member of Team X, a group run by the mysterious psychic-powered Nathanial Essex, voiced by Troy Baker. The Essex Institute serves as a refuge for mutants, offering a sense of found family and resistance against the militarised rounding-up of minorities. This theme resonates strongly with fans of the X-Men lore, even if the story takes some creative liberties to fit its own narrative arc.

However, the game’s reliance on exposition and its in media res opening can feel disorienting for players unfamiliar with the deeper cuts of Wolverine’s history. The tutorial level, which serves as Logan’s return to the team he previously left, feels somewhat back-to-front, as players never see Wolverine outside of the team before this point. This disconnect is compounded by the fact that much of the great character work happens off-screen, leaving Logan feeling like a passenger in his own story.

Combat: A Familiar Formula That Lacks Innovation

The combat system in Marvel's Wolverine is undeniably gory and satisfying in its initial moments. The traffic light parry system—blue for parryable attacks, red for non-parryable, and gold for reckless attacks that can deal significant damage if mistimed—adds a layer of skill to the gameplay. Additionally, smashing molten-hot containers to unlock "hot claws" introduces a dynamic element that enhances the combat experience with particle physics and visual flair.

Despite these strengths, the combat quickly becomes repetitive. The game’s enemies are dealt with in the same way for too long, leading to a sense of monotony that can dull the initial excitement. Bosses are present but few in number, often feeling predictable given the material on offer. The lack of agency and expressive options in dealing with problems is perhaps the true issue here. Playing as Wolverine, players realise just how important it was for Spider-Man to allow ping interactions like throwing a manhole cover at an enemy—a small detail that adds variety and creativity to combat.

The gore, while ferocious, also gets old too fast. The game’s tone is consistently rage-fueled, with yelling and extra yelling dominating the soundtrack. This one-note approach prevents the combat from reaching its apex, leaving players feeling as though they are always at maximum rage against the odds without any real climax or resolution.

Narrative: A Story That Feels Secondary to Logan

The narrative of Marvel's Wolverine is broad and obvious, with themes of found family and resistance against oppression present throughout. However, the story’s reliance on exposition and its in media res opening can feel disorienting for players unfamiliar with the deeper cuts of Wolverine’s history. The tutorial level, which serves as Logan’s return to the team he previously left, feels somewhat back-to-front, as players never see Wolverine outside of the team before this point.

Nightmare Doors, optional minutes-long challenges and time trials that unlock brief verbal recollections of a vague past, further highlight how secondary Logan’s memories feel. These sequences are symbolic of how disconnected Logan is from his own story, dragging him through the narrative rather than propelling him forward with a clear desire of his own.

While the game’s cast includes memorable characters like Sabretooth and Mystique, who bring their own quirks and depth to the table, Jean Grey feels underutilised. Despite being performed well by Krizia Bajos, she is relegated to the role of a door-opening, platform-lifting accomplice, missing an opportunity to have her own story brought much more to the fore.

Visuals and Performance: A Mixed Bag

Visually, Marvel's Wolverine is a mixed bag. On the PS5 Pro, the game runs smoothly with glorious looks in places, featuring shiny ray-tracing, sparkles, and forearm hair that add to the visual fidelity. However, there are moments where backgrounds fade into LOD murkiness, even on high-end hardware, and NPCs feel somewhat rudimentary.

The game’s accessibility options are extensive, including audio description by default, clear text, large text, colour alternations, high contrast visuals, and various subtitle options. Controller remapping, sensitivity adjustments, and advanced options like toggling button holds and rapid button presses further enhance the experience for players with different needs.

Verdict: A Fine but Uninspired Entry

Marvel's Wolverine is a fine entry in the action-adventure genre, but it lacks the spark that made Insomniac’s previous titles stand out. The game’s strengths lie in its characterisation and occasional cinematic spectacle, but its weaknesses—particularly in combat variety and narrative pacing—prevent it from reaching the heights of Insomniac’s previous masterpieces.

Ultimately, Marvel's Wolverine is a game that feels caught behind the times. It is a polished, linear action-adventure that carries the weight of a legacy franchise but struggles to carve out its own identity. While it succeeds in capturing Logan’s emotional vulnerability and charming side, it falls short in delivering a truly innovative combat system or a narrative that feels fresh and engaging.

In conclusion, Marvel's Wolverine is a game that is enjoyable enough for fans of the X-Men universe, but it may not satisfy those looking for a bold reinvention. It is a fine entry in the genre, but one that feels more like a budget-friendly iteration of Spider-Man than a bold new direction for Wolverine.