As a big fan of Ratchet and Clank and Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac Games is one of my favorite developers. However, after playing and beating Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 early, I’m worried about Wolverine.
If you missed it or forgot, Insomniac Games is currently developing a Marvel’s Wolverine game. It was announced in 2021 — peep the announcement teaser trailer.
Related: Top 6 ways Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 looks to improve upon Marvel’s Spider-Man 1
While Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is excellent, I’m worried Insomniac Games’ Wolverine won’t be as amazing. And that is because the weakest part of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (and the two Spider-Man games before it) is the combat.
If you thought I’d say something along the lines of “mature content,” I’m not as worried there. While previous Marvel’s Spider-Man games might be too kid-friendly, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has a few moments that are dark and deadly. Because of that, I think Insomniac Games is capable of making a rated M (I hope it is rated M) Wolverine game.
What makes Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 so fun is exploration. Web-slinging and web-winging around a lived-in, beautiful New York is more than half the fun in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which is true of all Spider-Man games. That said, Wolverine doesn’t have any fun exploration mechanics. He’s not a superhero known for his thrilling, fast-paced movement abilities.
Because of that, I’m afraid Insomniac Games’ Wolverine won’t have the most fun part about Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the exploration, and instead primarily contain the worst part about the game, the combat.
Let me backtrack — the combat in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is fun at times, but it’s dreadfully repetitive and basic. After playing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, I automatically paste the same monotonous and shallow combat into Wolverine, and I physically shutter. The balance works in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 because there are multiple gameplay loops happening: exploration, combat, and side mission minigames. I’m just worried that Wolverine won’t have many gameplay loops to balance combat, which might be boring since exploration won’t be as fun as it is in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Though I think Wolverine will be a good game, I’m worried that it could be in jeopardy of being great because of Insomniac Games’ unimpressive combat in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. I really hope I’m surprised and Insomniac Games doesn’t copy and paste the combat from Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 into Wolverine. I’m still an Insomniac Games fan and believe they can deliver something amazing… we’ll just have to wait and see.
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Published: Oct 19, 2023 07:00 am