Insomniac Games’ first game that won’t feature a talkative protagonist in a long while might come out three years after it was first announced.
Initially revealed back in September 2021, Marvel’s Wolverine has garnered significant attention lately, partly because of Insomniac’s stellar reputation for creating one hit after another. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, one of the nominees for GOTY at The Game Awards in December, cemented the studio as the brightest light amongst PlayStation Studios’ elite club of award-winning studios. And, while players still can’t get over all the juicy revelations from the latest Spider-Man game, which may or may not lead to a Daredevil spin-off and/or a Venom-centric DLC, most eyes are now firmly on the possibility that Marvel’s Wolverine will be released next year.
The speculation regarding the 2024 release window was fueled by concept artist Hung Nguy, whose ArtStation briefly listed Marvel’s Wolverine with a 2024 release. While both listings for Marvel’s Wolverine and an unannounced project from Bend Studio have since been removed, this fleeting glimpse was enough to spark discussions across platforms like ResetEra. It’s worth noting that Nguy has been associated with notable projects like Company of Heroes 3 and The Quarry, lending some weight to these speculations.
This potential release window aligns with claims by industry insider Jeff Grubb, who previously indicated that Wolverine was targeted for a 2024 release. These claims, when considered alongside Nguy’s now-deleted listing, lend credibility to the 2024 release theory. However, it’s essential to remember that internal development schedules are subject to change, and the actual release could shift as the project progresses.
Marvel’s Wolverine is poised to be a significant title for Insomniac Games and the PlayStation 5. Given Insomniac’s track record, expectations are high for Wolverine. In particular, fans are curious about its direction and whether it will feature other X-Men characters. More importantly, some wonder if it will connect with Insomniac Games’ other Marvel title since they both share the same universe.
Nevertheless, the game’s potentially semi-open world setting and mature rating implies a gritty and intense experience that could set it apart from Insomniac’s previous superhero outings. The comparison to the likes of Left 4 Dead in terms of gameplay mechanics also hints at an action-packed, possibly cooperative experience.
While Sony has been relatively quiet about its lineup of upcoming games, it’s become difficult to ignore al of the noise surrounding Marvel’s Wolverine. The lack of leaks or substantial information about new single-player PS5 games only adds to the intrigue surrounding this title. If it does release in 2024, it could be a testament to Insomniac’s talent and prowess, considering the studio’s impressive output of four PlayStation 5 titles since the console’s launch in late 2020.
However, amidst this excitement, it’s important to remember that, while no one may be making Insomniac do what it’s doing, the possibility of burnout is real. While it’s established itself as a pivotal player for Sony, delivering high-quality titles at an impressive pace, there’s concern that Insomniac could end up driving itself to the ground. This rigorous and, admittedly, concerning schedule, while beneficial for PlayStation fans, raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such a demanding release schedule.
With The Game Awards on the horizon, we might hear more about Marvel’s Wolverine sooner rather than later.
If Marvel’s Wolverine is released in 2024, then Marvel fans are in for a treat, especially the ones who prefer their comic book video games with a dash of violence and gore. Echo, Disney+’s first original TV-MA series, is coming out in January 2024 followed by Deadpool 3 in Summer 2024.
