One thing is obvious while playing Marvel’s Wolverine, I’m the target audience for this game. This is a game that does not demand much of a challenge or time commitment. To many, this may be the reason to avoid this game, but as a comic book loving gamer, this game was made for me. Marvel’s Wolverine, much like the character it is based on, is compact and violent. The game is more of a cinematic experience that leaves you wanting more.

Outside of some sports games, 2026 has been filled with Marvel related video games for me. I’ve been playing a lot of Marvel Rivals earlier in the year, to playing Cosmic Invasion and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls before Marvel’s Wolverine dropped. While, we are not at conventions, reading comics or keeping up to date on the shows and movies coming out, I have been engrossed by Marvel Games this year. My excitement for Wolverine was pretty high, especially coming from the studio that made the amazing Spider-Man games: Insomniac. However, playing Marvel games leading into the release and the reviews being less than stellar, my expectations were lowered. This could be why I got enjoyment out of this game.

Being the first Wolverine focused game since X-Men Origins: Wolverine (get the uncaged version, it’s a bloody good time) in 2009, Marvel’s Wolverine allows gamers to become the greatest or most overrated mutant in comics, depending on who you are talking to. From the opening scenes, it’s evident that the creators used X-Men Origins: Wolverine as a reference; they did not shy away from the brutal combat and gore that made that game so endearing to many gamers. It almost felt like the same game with updated visuals for a new generation, but that wore off within the first hour. Marvel’s Wolverine is its own story and a version of the character we have never seen before.

Liam McIntyre takes over the role of Logan, a character that has been established by the likes of Hugh Jackman, Cal Dodd and Steve Blum. Liam brings a softness beyond the grunts and violent personality of the character. In the opening scene, Logan is more of a paleolithic man than what he would become at the hands of Nathanial Essex (voiced by Troy Baker). I loved this intro because it’s short and the transition to Logan on Team X with a “found family” shows the evolution of the character in only a few seconds. This scene is an early establishment of tone as Logan’s relationship is at the forefront of this game. Logan looks at Essex like a mentor, Victor Creed and Logan have a brotherly relationship that hinges on loneliness and Mystique represents a fractured friendship. Later on in the game, the relationship between Logan and Jean Grey is the focal point behind what drives Logan.

Overall, I did enjoy the story despite it being predictable. As an X-Men fan and being familiar with the comics, characters like Nathanial Essex and Bolivar Trask hint at where the story will go. I will say the move of not having the X-Men in the game is pretty bold and does make me wonder what a Wolverine game would be like if the X-Men were present. Instead of Logan and Jean facing off against two prominent and dangerous villains in X-Men lore, it would have benefited the villains taking on the whole team. Marvel’s Wolverine is a game that introduces some great concepts, but is restricted by gameplay and a predictable story.

Gameplay feels like a old PS2 action game, nothing too complicated. It is a hack and slash that makes the player feel like Wolverine. The progression system seemed deep at first, however I found myself relying on only a few new abilities that were unlocked. This game is imperfect with moments of glitches, which also gives the vibe of an older game on a current console. Often, I found Logan clipping through walls or enemies getting sucked into the wall causing an odd moment of hacking at a wall.

Despite the flaws, I really enjoyed my time with Marvel’s Wolverine. I do understand the disappointment that it doesn’t match the greatness of Spider-Man. Having a cinematic experience over a difficult game may put off gamers, which is also understandable. So why did I enjoy game? I think the focus on character and the performances by all of those involved, especially Liam McIntyre and Krizia Bajos as Jean Grey. In fact Bajos’ performance of Jean may be my favorite adaptation of the character outside of comics. The first couple hours of the game had me hooked and despite the game not being open world, the places Logan visit are beautifully rendered. The nightmare doors which added additional elements, seemed unnecessary and repetitive, but it also reminded me of the challenges in Batman Arkham Knight with the batmobile and combat. The challenges are not necessary but the additional levels gave more opportunity to understand traversal and combat. There are elements to the game I still need to finish like unlocking all of the nightmare doors and finding the collectibles. However once I complete that, do I find myself wanting to revisit the game again? I don’t Know if I will right away but there will be moments that I think about going back for the store and to unleash some rage.