PS5’s Wolverine Embraces a Classic, Gritty Action Game Style
Marvel’s Wolverine perfectly embodies the rage of its titular character. This latest PS5 exclusive from the creators of Spider-Man delivers a straightforward action experience that shines when you’re slicing through foes or engaging in cinematic sequences, like scaling the side of a plane as it plummets or racing a motorcycle through rain-soaked streets. It’s the kind of game that gets your adrenaline pumping, and keeping Logan furious is a crucial part of the gameplay. In many ways, it harkens back to classic action titles, offering a refreshing break from the sea of live-service and open-world games.
While it comes from the same studio as Spider-Man, Wolverine takes a different approach. This game opts for a more linear journey, blending elements reminiscent of God of War and Uncharted. Instead of portraying Wolverine as a member of the X-Men, the narrative places him in the role of a reluctant member of Team X, a mercenary group with pro-mutant goals but a much more brutal methodology. Alongside characters like Sabretooth, Mystique, and Nathaniel Essex, Logan’s story unfolds as they investigate a series of mutant disappearances linked to a billionaire arms dealer.
At its core, both the character and the game revolve around combat. Wolverine is a fierce fighter, and his mutant abilities—rapid healing and razor-sharp claws—make him exceptionally formidable, allowing him to absorb damage while dishing it out. The combat is fast-paced and brutal, demanding an aggressive playstyle. Wolverine can leap great distances to engage enemies and use his claws to deflect attacks and inflict gruesome damage, often leaving him drenched in blood by the end of a fight. A key mechanic is Wolverine’s rage meter, which fills as you battle. As his rage intensifies, it unlocks two powerful abilities: going into a berserker mode to take down multiple enemies in one strike and utilizing his healing factor as a sort of extra life when health runs low. This clever system encourages a relentless approach—Wolverine isn’t calm, and neither can you be.
The God of War influence is evident in the combat, while the Uncharted aspect shines through in the exhilarating set-pieces. Without spoiling too much, these moments feel like you’re living out a thrilling action movie, featuring rooftop chases in Tokyo, epic boss fights against iconic villains, and intense scenes where Wolverine fights for survival against overwhelming odds.
However, this structure also makes Wolverine more restrictive compared to many modern titles. While this can be refreshing, it does come with some drawbacks. Similar to Spider-Man, there are numerous collectibles that reveal story elements or unlock new outfits for Wolverine. Yet, exploring outside the main path can feel tedious, making the hunt for these items appealing only to completionists. Additionally, Wolverine’s wardrobe lacks the flair of Spider-Man’s, often feeling mismatched with the game’s darker tone.
Despite a strong start, the story ultimately lands in a forgettable place, offering few surprises, especially for those familiar with the X-Men lore from comics or animated series. Outside of combat and set-pieces, Wolverine can feel like a standard AAA title; the voice acting, cutscenes, and some missions come off as typical video game fare, occasionally feeling out of sync with the overall experience. Wolverine excels in chaotic battles, but moments like Logan donning a tuxedo to infiltrate a high-society event don’t quite hit the mark.
Nonetheless, Wolverine’s return to a more focused and compact style of action—completed in about 13 hours—is noteworthy, especially for Sony, which has faced challenges in recent years with live-service ventures. Much like last year’s Ghost of Yōtei, Wolverine demonstrates that PlayStation can still deliver the single-player blockbusters it’s renowned for. Launching during a particularly crowded release window, it faces stiff competition from major titles like Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Control Resonant, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Gears of War: E-Day, Silent Hill: Townfall, Star Wars: Zero Company, and soon, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Grand Theft Auto VI.
In this competitive landscape, Wolverine’s relentless focus on action, despite some generic elements, helps it stand out.
