Marvel’s Wolverine Should Follow Spider-Man’s Original Story Approach

Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Wolverine continues to build anticipation after its reveal, with many fans wondering whether the studio will stick closely to comic material or create a unique story. The September 2025 trailer gave players their first proper look at Logan’s upcoming PS5 adventure, showcasing familiar villains such as Omega Red and Mystique, as well as a brief glimpse of a towering Sentinel in what appeared to be a tense showdown.

Spoiler alert for Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

Locations like Madripoor and the Canadian wilderness appeared in the footage, hinting at a blend of iconic settings from Wolverine’s past. With Insomniac already known for rich storytelling in Marvel’s Spider-Man and its sequel, the studio has a wide range of material from decades of Wolverine comics to build upon. Logan’s origins in the Weapon X program and the Japan storylines from the 1980s are among the most beloved in Marvel history, and many expect nods to those arcs in the new game.

However, Marvel’s Wolverine might benefit from carving out its own identity rather than leaning heavily on adaptations. Insomniac’s prior success with Spider-Man came from crafting original narratives that drew inspiration from the comics without directly replicating them. Both Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 proved that the studio could honor long-standing lore while delivering stories that felt new to both casual players and longtime fans.

This narrative flexibility led to one of the most talked-about moments in the original Spider-Man game — the death of Aunt May. Years before Spider-Man: No Way Home explored a similar event in the films, Insomniac used the moment to define Peter Parker’s core character traits, emphasizing sacrifice and moral duty. The game’s later entries continued to reshape known arcs, with Miles Morales focusing on Miles’ personal growth and his evolving bond with his uncle Aaron, while Spider-Man 2 reimagined the Venom storyline alongside elements from Kraven’s Last Hunt.

In Spider-Man 2, Norman Osborn’s closing scene referencing a “G-Serum” teased his eventual transformation into the Green Goblin — another example of Insomniac’s willingness to merge familiar elements with fresh narrative directions. For Marvel’s Wolverine, this same creative freedom could allow for reinterpretations of Logan’s long and fragmented history.

The recent trailer hinted that Logan’s memories may not be reliable, suggesting an opportunity for psychological and narrative twists that expand beyond the traditional scope of Wolverine’s character. This approach could help differentiate the game from other portrayals across comics, television, and film, particularly since Wolverine remains one of the most adapted figures in the Marvel universe.

Over the years, Logan has appeared in various titles, including X-2: Wolverine’s Revenge, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns. While each adaptation has given players control of the mutant’s iconic claws, none have achieved the same narrative depth that Insomniac brought to Spider-Man. The upcoming PS5 game could be positioned to change that, with early comparisons already being drawn to X-Men Origins: Wolverine due to its emphasis on more violent, visceral combat.

One key difference is that the 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine game followed the film’s storyline closely, offering little room for narrative creativity. In contrast, Marvel’s Wolverine appears to be setting up its own standalone continuity, separate from both the films and the comics. Whether the story explores Logan’s time with Weapon X, his travels through Madripoor, or entirely new territory, the creative freedom could provide a chance for deeper emotional storytelling and unexpected twists.

Insomniac’s proven ability to merge recognizable comic book elements with new interpretations could serve as the foundation for another standout superhero series. At the same time, fans remain curious about the game’s structure. It’s not yet clear if Marvel’s Wolverine will take the form of a full-scale open-world adventure like Spider-Man 2 or a more focused experience similar to Miles Morales.

Regardless of its final scope, the goal seems to be creating a Wolverine story that stands apart from previous portrayals while still celebrating the essence of the character — his trauma, his moral conflicts, and his humanity beneath the claws.

Marvel’s Wolverine is currently slated to release in fall 2026, exclusively for PlayStation 5.