IGN published a preview of Marvel's Wolverine, in which editor Mitchell Saltzman shared his impressions after playing about two and a half hours of Insomniac's new title. In the assessment, the combat is violent and faithful to the character, but the editor raised doubts about the variety of attacks throughout the campaign. The game arrives on PlayStation 5 on September 15.
In the story, Saltzman stated that the plot takes place before the formation of the X-Men, with Wolverine joining Team X alongside Sabretooth and Mystique, under the leadership of Nathaniel Essex, who acts as a mentor. The group faces Bolivar Trask, an antagonist who hates mutants.
Combat and Variety
The editor described the combat as fast, fierce, and brutal, with a parry system, special moves, and a rage meter that encourages aggression. He considered the system "fundamentally solid" and satisfying, but noted that there is a lack of customization options and varied moves compared to Spider-Man, also from Insomniac.
Saltzman's main concern is whether the combat will remain engaging throughout the entire campaign. He mentioned a skill tree with techniques and special moves that could add depth, but hopes these improvements add variety and not just increase damage.
Story and Characters
The story was pointed out as the most interesting element so far, with a script by Walt Williams, known for Spec Ops: The Line. The performances of Liam McIntyre as Wolverine and Troy Baker as Nathaniel Essex were also praised, as were the different sides of Mystique and Sabretooth, played by Nicole Pacent and Brett Gipson.
The editor highlighted that his favorite section of the preview was Lowtown, a refuge area for mutants, with non-combat moments that allow character development. He said he hopes for more moments like that in the full game.
Saltzman concluded that he came away impressed, but not completely surprised, and that Insomniac still has many story elements in store. Marvel's Wolverine will be released on September 15 for PlayStation 5.
