Review: Marvel’s Wolverine is a superbly crafted adventure that plays well on PS5, but best on PS5 Pro
Marvel’s Wolverine has launched on PlayStation 5 as an exclusive title from Insomniac Games, concluding a five-year development journey from initial announcement. The game positions itself as a darker, more visceral alternative to Insomniac’s Spider-Man series, delivering a linear, single-player action experience focused on brutal combat and dramatic set-pieces rather than open-world exploration.
Critical reception has proven mixed, with the game holding a Metacritic score of 77 based on over 100 reviews—marking one of the lowest-rated first-party PlayStation exclusives of the generation. Reviewers acknowledge the game’s technical achievement and visual polish, with particularly strong performance on PS5 Pro hardware, but many express disappointment with gameplay design and overall direction.
A central criticism across reviews is that while Wolverine delivers a competent, straightforward action game with impressive presentation and solid narrative work, it fails to match the innovative quality Insomniac established with its Spider-Man trilogy. The game is frequently described as uninspired in its gameplay mechanics—a traditional AAA action title that, while technically proficient, doesn’t meaningfully advance the superhero gaming genre. Some reviewers note that the character of Wolverine itself may not be as naturally suited to interactive game design as other Marvel heroes.
However, the game has its defenders. At least one review praised it as “the ultimate Wolverine simulator,” emphasizing how effectively the game captures Logan’s brutal nature through visceral combat and high-stakes action sequences. The game is appreciated for embracing a straightforward, no-frills action approach—a refreshing departure from industry trends toward live-service and open-world design.
Marvel’s Wolverine is available in Standard and Digital Deluxe editions on PS5, with technical advantages visible on PS5 Pro.
Sources
- Review: Marvel’s Wolverine is a superbly crafted adventure that plays well on PS5, but best on PS5 Pro
- Marvel’s Wolverine review
- Marvel’s Wolverine Isn’t Cutting It? Try These Games Instead
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- Wolverine PS5 Is One of the Lowest Rated First-Party Sony Games of the Generation
- Review: Marvel’s Wolverine (PS5) - The Ultimate Wolverine Simulator
- Wolverine on the PS5 goes back to a simpler (and bloodier) style of action game
- Marvel’s Wolverine Review: Uninspired gameplay leaves Logan feeling declawed despite a strong narrative