Hands-on with Wolverine

The anticipation for Marvel’s Wolverine has been building for months, but just over a month before its September 15 launch, Insomniac Games delivered an intense deep dive, pulling fans into the visceral world of Logan. The session offered a unique opportunity to explore the game’s core mechanics—story, combat, and exploration—revealing why players are eager to sink their claws into this brutal, beautiful saga.

The journey began in the desolate wilds of Telambang, where Wolverine is thrust back into conflict. He immediately reunites with Team X, a mutant task force dedicated to protecting mutantkind. This mission leads them deep into the shadow of the anti-mutant industrialist Bolivar Trask, revealing the grim reality that governs this world. As they infiltrate Trask’s facility, the narrative shifts from a simple rescue to an intense confrontation with the cruel machinations of a man who seeks to eradicate mutants in favor of human superiority.

The conflict is deeply personal. Wolverine’s past is laid bare as he navigates the perilous landscape between the hidden facility and the seedy backstreets of Madripoor. The realization of what Trask is doing—abducting, studying, and cruelly disposing of mutants—ignites an unbridled rage within Wolverine. This fury drives him forward, setting him on a collision course with Omega Red and the goal of freeing Nathaniel Essex, the one who helped form Team X.

But the true heart of the experience lies in how that rage translates into gameplay. Combat in Marvel’s Wolverine is designed to be pure, kinetic fury. Instead of simple attacks, Wolverine is encouraged to launch himself from across the room, unleashing a furious flurry of action. Every fight becomes an exercise in controlled chaos, where adrenaline fuels the intensity of every barrage.

Beyond raw aggression, players gain profound control through special techniques. Mastering moves like Tornado Spin or Knee Breaker allows for creative, dynamic combat flair. Furthermore, the rage mechanic is central to Logan’s evolution. Successful combos build up his Rage Meter, which escalates through three distinct Tiers. As he progresses into higher Tiers, his fighting style morphs: Tier 2 unlocks powerful abilities like Last Stand for healing, while Tier 3 unleashes devastating critical strikes and a primal, razor-sharp mastery over the environment.

When strategy is required, Wolverine can harness his enhanced senses to move stealthily through the environment, tracking enemies with uncanny precision. When faced with Trask’s formidable defenses, he must contend with Ability Inhibitors that shut down mutant powers, forcing him to rely on classic combat prowess and cunning to survive.

Exploration offers further layers of depth. In Madripoor’s Princess Bar, Wolverine connects with new allies, including the enigmatic Jean Grey, forging a bond where he finally allows himself to acknowledge his fear and desire for change. Interactions with teammates like Mystique and Sabretooth deepen the world, showing their complex relationships amidst the chaos.

Wandering through Lowtown allows players to uncover hidden secrets, from finding rare upgrade materials to discovering lost memories via Nightmare Doors that transport Logan into dreamlike trials of his past. It is an immersive experience where every corner reveals a piece of Wolverine’s fractured history and fuels the emotional engine of his relentless rage.

Prepare to unleash your fury and sink those claws in, as Marvel’s Wolverine launches September 15 on PS5, promising a relentless adventure defined by visceral combat and unforgettable character depth.