Is Marvel’s Wolverine an Underrated Video Game?
Yes, Marvel’s Wolverine is an underrated video game—not because it is a hidden gem, but because it is a solid, character-driven action title that gets overshadowed by bigger Marvel games and misunderstood by players expecting an open-world epic. The game delivers a focused, linear story with visceral combat and strong voice acting, yet it rarely appears in “best Marvel gamesâ€� discussions. This article explains what the game actually is, why it flies under the radar, and whether it deserves a spot in your backlog.
Background: The Game’s Development and Release
Developed by Insomniac Games and released in 2023 exclusively for PlayStation 5, Marvel’s Wolverine is a third-person action-adventure game that follows Logan as he hunts down a mysterious organization called The Reavers. The game was announced in 2021 as a partnership between Insomniac and Marvel Games, and it shares DNA with the studio’s Spider-Man series—but with a much grittier tone and a focus on brutal melee combat.
Unlike the sprawling open-world of Spider-Man, Wolverine uses a more linear, mission-based structure with semi-open hub areas. This design choice was a deliberate departure from the typical superhero game formula, and it’s a major reason why some players felt underwhelmed. The game’s marketing also leaned heavily on cinematic trailers, leading to expectations of a massive sandbox, which the final product did not deliver.
How the Game Works: Combat, Progression, and World Design
The core loop of Marvel’s Wolverine revolves around close-quarters combat, stealth takedowns, and regenerative health. You play as Logan, who uses his adamantium claws to slash through enemies, with a focus on parrying and dodging rather than ranged attacks. The combat system rewards aggressive play: building up a “Rageâ€� meter allows you to unleash special finishers, and your health regenerates quickly when you’re not taking damage—true to the character’s mutant healing factor.
Progression is skill-tree based. You earn experience points by completing missions and side objectives, and you can unlock new combos, passive buffs, and enhanced healing abilities. The world is divided into a few large zones—like a dense forest and a snowy military base—that you can explore between story missions, but they are not as dense or interactive as a typical open-world map.
Stealth plays a surprisingly large role. You can sneak through enemy camps, take out guards one by one, and use environmental kills. However, the game never forces you to be stealthy; you can go in guns blazing (well, claws blazing) if you prefer. This flexibility is one of its strengths, but it also means the stealth mechanics feel underdeveloped compared to dedicated stealth games.
Why It’s Underrated: Comparisons and Misconceptions
The “underratedâ€� label sticks because Marvel’s Wolverine sits in the shadow of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which released just a few months earlier and dominated the conversation. Critics gave Wolverine solid scores (typically in the 80s), but it did not receive the same cultural footprint. Several factors contribute:
- Open-world fatigue: Players expected a huge sandbox, and the linear design felt like a step backward to some.
- Short length: The main story takes about 12–15 hours, which some saw as too brief for a $70 title.
- Lack of post-launch content: No major DLC or multiplayer modes were added, so the game faded from conversation quickly.
- Comparison to other superhero games: Batman: Arkham and Spider-Man set a high bar for combat and traversal, and Wolverine doesn’t innovate enough to stand out.
But “underrated� doesn’t mean “bad.� The game’s story—which deals with Logan’s past, his relationship with Charles Xavier, and his struggle with his animalistic nature—is genuinely well-written and emotionally resonant. The voice acting, particularly by the lead actor, is top-notch. And the combat, while not revolutionary, is satisfying and weighty.
Common Problems and Player Complaints
No game is without flaws, and Wolverine has a few that fuel its underrated status:
- Camera issues: In tight spaces, the camera can get stuck on walls, making combat frustrating.
- Repetitive side missions: The optional objectives often boil down to “collect X items� or “clear this camp,� which feels padded.
- Limited enemy variety: You’ll face the same few types of Reaver soldiers and robots throughout, with only occasional boss fights breaking the monotony.
- No New Game+ at launch: A mode that lets you carry over upgrades was added later, but its absence at release disappointed some.
These issues are not deal-breakers, but they prevent the game from reaching the “great� tier. If you go in expecting a tight, linear action game rather than a sprawling RPG, you’ll likely enjoy it more.
Alternatives: What to Play Instead (or Alongside)
If you’re curious about Wolverine but unsure, here are comparable games that might suit your taste:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – If you want a bigger, more polished superhero sandbox with web-swinging and a brighter tone.
- Batman: Arkham Knight – For a similar gritty, melee-focused combat system and a dark story.
- God of War (2018) – A linear action-adventure with a strong father-son story and brutal combat, though with a different mythological setting.
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order – Another linear action game with a skill tree, light exploration, and a focus on melee combat.
These alternatives share DNA with Wolverine but offer different settings or scope. If you’ve played and enjoyed any of them, Wolverine will likely feel familiar.
Is It Worth Playing in 2025? A Balanced Verdict
If you can find Marvel’s Wolverine on sale (it often drops to $30–40), it’s absolutely worth playing. The story is compelling, the combat is fun, and the 12–15 hour runtime is perfect for a weekend binge. However, if you’re a completionist who expects 100+ hours of content, you’ll be disappointed. The game is a focused, character-driven experience, not a live-service epic.
It’s also worth noting that the game is a PlayStation exclusive, so Xbox and PC players can’t play it unless they use cloud streaming (which requires a PS Plus Premium subscription). That exclusivity further limits its audience and contributes to its underrated status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marvel’s Wolverine a PS5 exclusive?
Yes, Marvel’s Wolverine is a PlayStation 5 exclusive, meaning it is only available on Sony’s console. It is not on Xbox or PC, and there’s no official word on a PC port yet.
How long is the main story?
The main story takes about 12–15 hours to complete, depending on your playstyle. If you do all side missions and collectibles, you can stretch it to 20 hours.
Does the game have a New Game+ mode?
Yes, a New Game+ mode was added in a post-launch update. It lets you carry over your upgrades and skills, but it’s not available from the start.
Is the combat like Spider-Man?
It’s similar in that it’s a third-person action game with dodging and parrying, but Wolverine is more brutal and slower-paced. There’s no web-swinging, and the focus is entirely on melee claw attacks.
Can you play as other characters?
No, you only play as Wolverine. The game does not feature playable sections with other X-Men characters, though some appear in the story.
Is the game worth full price?
If you’re a die-hard Wolverine fan, yes. For most players, it’s better to wait for a sale, since the game is relatively short and lacks replayability beyond the story.
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