Marvel Wolverine's claw-fueled combat doesn't feel as deep as its systems suggest, but that didn't stop me from grinning ear to ear carving through its lengthy campaign

Not long into Marvel's Wolverine , protagonist James "Logan" Howlett is joined by fellow mutant and Team X member Mystique.

<![CDATA[ <article> <p>Not long into <em>Marvel's Wolverine</em>, protagonist James "Logan" Howlett is joined by fellow mutant and Team X member Mystique. The blue-skinned shapeshifter is eager to share a shocking discovery with him: a sinister secret hidden behind a closed door. But I ignore her request, instead continuing down the hall to soak in the game's stunning visuals.</p><div class="fancy-box"><div class="fancy_box-title">Review info</div><div class="fancy_box_body"><p class="fancy-box__body-text"><strong>Platform reviewed: </strong>PS5 Pro<br><strong>Available on: </strong>PS5<br><strong>Release date:</strong> September 15, 2026</p></div></div><p>It's the natural-looking rain streaming down a window that initially catches my attention. But beyond the pelting precipitation, I also spy equally impressive smoke, flames, and burning embers spewing from a fiery explosion – the apparent fallout of Wolverine's enemy-eviscerating entrance. </p><p>The destruction below is contrasted by beautiful moonlight above, which is occasionally punctuated by eye-pleasing flashes of lightning.</p><h2 id="production-values-as-sharp-as-wolverine-39-s-claws">Production values as sharp as Wolverine's claws</h2><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:3840px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="neWEN2o6e2PqMLXsuF7fxm" name="MW_PREVIEWS_TELEMBANGCOMBAT_4k_2026" alt="A Marvel's Wolverine promotional screenshot." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/neWEN2o6e2PqMLXsuF7fxm.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Sony)</span></figcaption></figure><p>Of course, if you've played any recent first-party PlayStation game, these realism-rivaling effects probably won't come as a huge surprise. As expected, Insomniac Games' latest superhero romp is obscenely pretty, polished, and packing the sort of production values that've come to define Sony's single-player, story-driven output.</p><div class="fancy-box"><div class="fancy_box-title">Best bit</div><div class="fancy_box_body"><figure class="van-image-figure " ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' ><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="8swcwLdi6VFXTgqfmkKeLk" name="MW_SDCC_SentinelAction_2026" caption="" alt="A Marvel's Wolverine promotional screenshot." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8swcwLdi6VFXTgqfmkKeLk.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="" height="" attribution="" endorsement="" class="pinterest-pin-exclude"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=""><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Sony)</span></figcaption></figure><p class="fancy-box__body-text"><strong>Nearly invincible with indestructible claws to match, Wolverine begins the campaign as a feral, vengeance-fueled force of nature. But he somehow becomes even more powerful, leading to combo-fueled combat encounters that encourage you to creatively chain together a growing arsenal of epic, blood-spewing specials. From turning Logan's claws into a spinning tornado to spiraling him through enemies like a human drill, there's no shortage of ways to deal death with style – and entrails – to spare.</strong></p></div></div><p>This level of quality extends to <em>Wolverine</em>'s characters and storytelling as well. Supported by incredibly layered, emotional performances (Liam McIntyre and Troy Baker especially stand out as Logan and Nathaniel Essex, respectively), the former features unmatched facial details and visual fidelity. </p><p>And while the game's narrative doesn't quite achieve the extreme highs of its technical and artistic excellence, it works surprisingly well, spinning an engaging tale that'll please Marvel enthusiasts while also welcoming complete newcomers into this potentially complex universe.</p><p>There's a ton of familiar characters, both friends and foes, that fans will love spending time with. But the game's pre-X-Men tale also does a great job introducing these favorites without boring the established audience or relying on exposition dumps.</p><p>In <em>Wolverine</em>'s universe, for example, Logan and Jean Grey meet for the first time, challenging its writers to not only introduce these well-known characters to each other, but to a potential new audience. The task is handled elegantly, however, in an early mission at Team X's HQ that sees the pair naturally sharing personal details while searching for drawings a mischievous mutant child has hidden for them.</p><h2 id="snikt-fueled-style-over-substance">Snikt!-fueled style over substance</h2><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:3840px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="Fv2RDuYM5JXHPX5ZqcDQmm" name="MW_PREVIEWS_LOGAN_4k_2026" alt="A Marvel's Wolverine promotional screenshot." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fv2RDuYM5JXHPX5ZqcDQmm.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Sony)</span></figcaption></figure><p>Similar sentiments can be applied to<em> Wolverine</em>'s non-combat content as well. You'll spend most of your time in this globetrotting adventure painting cities and towns – across Canada, Japan, Madripoor, and more – plasma-red, but when not shish kebab-ing baddies, you'll retract your claws for some less violent activities. </p><p>In addition to the excellent story interludes, Logan does some investigating, chases fleeing enemies – on foot and while straddling a motorcycle – and a surprising amount of platforming.</p><p>None of these tasks are optional and, while they don't offer anything particularly special, they do deliver the occasional fun distraction. The bike chases, for example, are practically on rails, but it still never gets old slashing a pursuing vehicle's tires with your claws. </p><p>The platforming sections, meanwhile, generally get the job done, but sometimes kill the immersion when the mutant – who can often scurry up trees like a cat – suddenly can't scale a fence, crate, or wall. </p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:3840px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="WeDkrWhZoxxEXSgr5L3Nkm" name="MW_PREVIEWS_OMEGARED_4k_2026" alt="A Marvel's Wolverine promotional screenshot." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WeDkrWhZoxxEXSgr5L3Nkm.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Sony)</span></figcaption></figure><p><em>Wolverine</em> makes no apologies for being a linear, scripted action-adventure, a quality that often works to its benefit. But it can also be a detriment, like during those fickle platforming moments. This heavily directed approach does afford players some freedom, encouraging them to sniff out collectible bottles of whiskey and timed challenges accessed in Logan's creepy "Nightmare Cabin." These mini-games, unfolding in his haunted memories, also shed a bit of light on his dark, foggy past. </p><p>Whether hunting for booze or conquering these timed tasks, you'll collect DNA strand-altering "Adaptation" points, a currency that feeds another character progression path. But these passive perks don't feel all that meaningful among Logan's already considerable arsenal. Toss in the fact that these cabin-diving diversions have you partaking in the same gameplay you're already doing on the critical path – only against a clock – and they feel like an undercooked attempt at optional content. </p><p>Suit crafting feels similarly half-baked. The game contains 30-plus costumes and accompanying claws, a fantastic, fan-pleasing inclusion. But the suits are purely cosmetic, and accessed by investing the same "materials" hidden around the world. </p><p>Donning Logan with a cowboy hat or dropping him in this hyper-realistic world as his anime-inspired <em>Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls</em> persona is awesome, as is the permanent health bump you receive as you buy more suits. But with just the same single resource used and no gameplay effects added, calling it "crafting" is a stretch. </p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:3840px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="cwZQQAKac7ZWuv4mFDBJpm" name="MW_PREVIEWS_RAVEN_4k_2026" alt="A Marvel's Wolverine promotional screenshot." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cwZQQAKac7ZWuv4mFDBJpm.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Sony)</span></figcaption></figure><p>As a linear, single-player action-adventure, <em>Wolverine </em>works brilliantly, delivering a visually striking, cinematic blockbuster supported by engaging characters and emotional storytelling. It's also brimming with stylish, blood-soaked combat that kept a smile stretched across my face until the credits rolled. </p><p>When it strays from its heavily scripted path, however, attempting to layer strategic depth into its arcade-y encounters – as well as engaging, optional activities into its carefully crafted world – it does reveal some undeniable cracks in its adamantium armor.</p><h2 id="should-you-play-marvel-39-s-wolverine">Should you play Marvel's Wolverine?</h2><h2 id="play-it-if">Play it if...</h2><div class="product"><p><strong>You've always wondered what it would be like to unleash Wolverine's claws</strong><br>An action game at its core, <em>Wolverine</em>'s focus – first and foremost – is ensuring every slice, dice, hack, and slash feels rewarding as hell. Varied, violent, and soaked in enough viscera to rival a slasher movie, combat encounters are a thumb-blistering blast that puts you behind the mutant's unique skills like no game before it.</p></div><div class="product"><p><strong>You're a fan of linear, single-player, story-driven games</strong><br>If you're tired of open-worlds or overwhelmed by all the freedom RPGs offer you, <em>Wolverine</em> is just what the mad scientist ordered. Linear, scripted, filled with set pieces and incredibly cinematic, it paves an engrossing, action-packed story path – and guarantees you never stray from it.</p></div><div class="product"><p><strong>You're a Marvel enthusiast craving a fresh take on the fan-favorite X-Men member</strong><br><em>Wolverine</em> is largely an original, standalone story set before Logan was a member of the X-Men. It's an accessible tale for newcomers, but it's also packed with plenty of familiar characters – friends and foes – as well as settings and story beats that existing fans will enjoy. It also includes a ton of cool call-outs, deep-cut references, and Easter eggs Marvel enthusiasts will eat up.</p></div><h2 id="don-39-t-play-it-if">Don't play it if...</h2><div class="product"><p><strong>You're expecting an experience similar to Sony's Spider-Man games</strong><br>While <em>Wolverine</em> is the latest superhero collaboration between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games, it is not another <em>Spider-Man</em> game reskinned with adamantium. Where the Spidey games were open-world romps packed with a ton of combat and traversal options – as well as massive maps brimming with optional activities – <em>Wolverine</em> is a linear, heavily scripted story experience with more straightforward hack-and-slash action and far less to do. </p></div><h2 id="accessibility-features">Accessibility features</h2><p><em>Marvel's Wolverine</em> includes an impressive suite of accessibility assists, beginning with plenty of options to tailor the blood, gore, violence, and profanity to any player's comfort level. </p><p>Beyond that, there are various difficulty settings, as well as ample gameplay assists to further tweak and tailor the challenge within those defaults. In addition to the expected inclusions for customizing subtitles, UI, and HUD elements, a huge selection of audio and visual assists are also available. </p><p>While a variety of high-contrast modes and color customizations are included, dedicated protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia selections seem to be absent.</p><h2 id="how-i-reviewed-marvel-39-s-wolverine">How I reviewed Marvel's Wolverine</h2><p>I spent just over 25 hours with <em>Wolverine</em>, completing its<em> </em>campaign before replaying many missions to seek out collectibles and attempt optional time trial challenges. </p><p>I played the game on my PS5 Pro using my budget <a href="https://www.techradar.com/tag/tcl">TCL</a> 4K 65" TV, with HDR enabled. For audio, I tested with both the display's onboard stereo speakers and Sony's <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/playstation-pulse-elite-review">PlayStation Pulse Elite</a> headset. </p><p><em>First reviewed September 2026</em></p> </article> ]]>