Recently, Insomniac Games gave fans of its critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 so-far-trilogy exciting news about a potential connection between Spider-Man’s webbed world and its yet-to-be-released Wolverine game.
Ever since the announcement of Marvel’s Wolverine from Insomniac, speculation ran rampant about its connection to the Spider-Man universe. Fuel was added to this fire when the initial Wolverine teaser contained a subtle “1048” nod, an easter egg that fans were quick to pick up on. Although these teasers hinted at a connection, nothing was concrete until Spider-Man 2’s director, Bryan Intihar, provided clarity in an interview with Kinda Funny. He definitively confirmed that both games are set in the same universe, specifically the Earth-1048. This very universe was previously acknowledged in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse, firmly setting both superheroes in this narrative playground.
However, does this shared universe mean Wolverine and Spider-Man’s paths will directly intersect? According to Intihar, direct references and crossovers have remained far and few in between. Delving further into the matter, when he was probed about possible teasers of Wolverine in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, he emphasized the complexity and challenges in developing such titles, saying, “Let’s let the Wolverine team cook and if something ever happens in the future, great.” By this, he stressed the importance of allowing each team to focus on delivering their best without getting ensnared in expectations of crossovers.
Nevertheless, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 does incorporate a discreet Wolverine nod, although it remains a minor element in the grand scheme of things. As Spider-Man swings through New York, players will recognize the city’s myriad of Easter Eggs and references to Marvel lore – from Avengers Tower and the Sanctum Sanctorum to the Wakandan Embassy.
Given such a richly detailed environment, it’s only natural to wonder if Wolverine part of the overall picture, but alas, Intihar doesn’t want to jump the gun.
For now, Insomniac Games’ objective is clear – let Marvel’s Wolverine’s development team make a game that can stand on its own merit, without being overshadowed or burdened by Spider-Man’s vast narrative.
There’s another intricate layer of the Wolverine game teased in its trailer, which showcased Logan in a bar setting. Many Hawkeye’d fans have identified this setting as The Princess Bar, further recognized by its ads for Madripoor. Madripoor holds significance in the Marvel universe, particularly in Wolverine’s story. This island nation was the backdrop for one of Wolverine’s initial solo endeavors, where he contended with crime lord Roche and even encountered the Hulk in his Joe Fixit alter ego. Notably, Logan’s alias during this period was Patch, a persona highlighted by an eyepatch showcased in the trailer.
Is it possible that we’ll encounter this “alter-ego” of Marvel’s Wolverine in a future game in the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 universe? At this point, only Insomniac knows.
The challenge and potential of developing games that share a similar universe is vast. While Insomniac has the luxury of managing both the game’s stories, it’s evident that they want each game to establish individual identities, irrespective of each other. Despite Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s roaring success, especially in its storytelling, the studio recognizes the need for Wolverine to carve out its M-rated narrative legacy.
As fans anticipate the release of Marvel’s Wolverine, which remains shrouded in mystery barring a brief teaser from 2021, it’s evident that the game promises cutting-edge gameplay and a riveting, emotional narrative.
While no release date is announced yet, given PlayStation’s pattern of reducing time gaps between game reveals and releases, a comprehensive update on Marvel’s Wolverine is likely coming soon, especially as the development on the game ramps up.
