Insomniac Games’ new PlayStation 5 title, Marvel’s Wolverine, has garnered a reportedly “not great” Metacritic review score, according to Forbes. The game, which follows in the wake of Insomniac’s successful Spider-Man series, has elicited a mixed critical reception, with praise for its character portrayal but notable concerns regarding its combat and linearity.

Critical Reception for Wolverine

Critics have offered contrasting views on the game’s overall experience. While Game Informer lauded the game’s ability to capture the “brutal efficiency” of Wolverine’s destructive ferocity, describing the M-rated battles as “deeply satisfying and smartly balanced”, The Guardian presented a more critical assessment. According to The Guardian, the game is “let down by crude, boring battling” and falls short of its potential, despite a “well-made” foundation.

Forbes noted that the PS5 ‘Wolverine’ Metacritic Review Score Is In, And It’s Not Great, indicating a lukewarm overall consensus from aggregated reviews.

Combat and World Design: A Divided Opinion

The combat system in Marvel’s Wolverine has been a point of contention. Game Informer praised the “high speed, brutal slashing, and unstoppable force of Wolverine”, noting that the “momentum-based loop” of attacks, dodges, and parries encouraged a relentless approach. They highlighted gradually unlocked abilities and satisfying boss fights, stating the linear adventure “hits its conclusion before you might tire of the ferocious melees”.

In contrast, The Guardian found the fights, while smooth, rarely required creativity or experimentation. The review drew comparisons to “80s beat-’em-ups, or PS3 brawlers,” describing them as a “bludgeoning production line of identical fights against increasingly over-familiar enemy types.” The Guardian also criticised the game’s linearity, noting that while Insomniac had warned of a “tightly structured environment” rather than the open-world of Spider-Man, the visually seductive cities like Madripoor and Tokyo felt like a “theatrical backdrop” with roads closed off by invisible walls.

Narrative and Characterisation

Both reviews found elements to appreciate and critique within the game’s story and character portrayal. The Guardian lauded the game’s interpretation of Logan, describing it as a triumph through “exquisite character art and animation, and a brilliant performance from Liam McIntyre.” This resulted in a “flawed, often unwilling hero” with “truly moving scenes” in his rivalry with Sabretooth and relationship with Jean Grey.

However, The Guardian felt that the player had “no interactive part in the linear story or its relationships” and criticised the portrayal of Wolverine’s past trauma via “snippets of lore” unlocked through mini-challenges, calling it an “insensitive way to portray and process PTSD.” Game Informer also noted that while moment-to-moment character interactions were “excellent,” thanks to an impressive voice cast, the overall story sometimes “stumbles,” with later moments feeling “impenetrable” to even long-time fans.

What This Means for Players

For players keen to experience Wolverine’s brutal ferocity, the game offers a well-crafted, albeit linear, action experience. While Game Informer suggests it “nails the vitals where it counts” for fans of taut, animated combat, The Guardian indicates that the game’s potential is hampered by repetitive combat and restricted environments. Fans seeking a highly interactive narrative or expansive open-world exploration, similar to Insomniac’s previous superhero titles, may find Marvel’s Wolverine a more focused, but less varied, adventure.