Marvel's Wolverine: Drawing Inspiration from God of War's Epic Formula

Marvel's Wolverine has remained largely shrouded in mystery, with its potential for a more serious narrative tone sparking intrigue. Interestingly, the acclaimed God of War franchise could serve as a remarkable source of inspiration for its development.

The God of War series, including its 2022 sequel, stands as a pinnacle of linear, single-player storytelling. These games have transported Kratos and Atreus on an extraordinary odyssey through the nine realms, reinvigorating the franchise following the less impactful God of War: Ascension. Departing from the Greek saga's gameplay and exploration style, these titles embraced an over-the-shoulder perspective that Insomniac Games is poised to adopt for its upcoming Marvel's Wolverine project.

Anticipated to follow the highly awaited release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on October 20, Marvel's Wolverine was teased during the 2021 PlayStation Showcase. Since then, details have been scarce as Insomniac concentrates on its wall-crawling superhero. The silence surrounding the project has fueled various speculations about its direction and its utilization of comic lore. However, within the realm of gaming, there exists a blueprint that could guide its success. The synergy between Kratos, Atreus, Santa Monica Studio, and Wolverine could provide valuable inspiration for Insomniac to wield positive outcomes.

God of War's Combat: Swift and Fierce

Pre-2018, God of War featured a high-speed, fixed-camera gameplay style that emphasized combos as a core element of progression. While this approach was reminiscent of titles like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry, it became evident in the latter half of the 2010s that the franchise demanded innovation. The reboot retained key concepts but skillfully reshaped them into something fresh and distinct. Battles remained rapid and fluid, allowing Kratos to triumph over hordes of enemies across various arenas. These engagements hinged on the protagonist's speed, agility, and mastery of melee weaponry.

Remarkably, this combat philosophy mirrors Wolverine's attributes as well. His human form and animalistic instincts make him agile and ferocious in battle. However, a conventional hack-and-slash gameplay loop might clash with the character's more somber and realistic tone. By adopting the strategic approach seen in later God of War entries, while tailoring gameplay mechanics to align with Wolverine's signature claws instead of Kratos' Leviathan Axe, Insomniac could instantly captivate players with Marvel's Wolverine.

Shared Resilience: Wolverine and Kratos

Wolverine's allure lies not solely in his combat prowess but in his guarded emotional nature. He rarely unveils his emotions, maintaining a hardened exterior that conceals his inner turmoil. When Logan does express emotions, such as regret, happiness, love, or desperation, it resonates profoundly due to the rarity of these glimpses into his vulnerability. Examining the limited promotional content, it's apparent that Insomniac's Wolverine project seeks to explore a more serious portrayal of the character. Drawing cues from James Mangold's "Logan" or the "Old Man Logan" comic arcs could be a natural progression. This thematic direction would align with the portrayal of Kratos in Norse mythology within the God of War series.

Kratos, having weathered a tumultuous existence steeped in the demise of gods and torrents of bloodshed, entered 2018's God of War already burdened by his past. This weariness was evident when confronted by Baldur early in the narrative. Kratos felt that he was living on borrowed time, lending depth to his character and maintaining the intrigue around him. This approach, integrating pre-existing traits with new layers, underscores the studio's ability to keep him captivating. Marvel's Wolverine has the freedom to explore various avenues, but the parallels between Logan and Kratos in terms of personality and skillset suggest that Insomniac could draw inspiration from the strides made by Santa Monica Studio and continue building on that legacy.