Here’s how the Wolverine game for PlayStation can be a game changer.
The Sony PlayStation Showcase gave fans of both the gaming console and Marvel Comics a lot to be excited about.
Of course, the first footage from Spider-Man 2 looked amazing. We wouldn’t expect anything less. After all, the first Spider-Man game was incredible and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales followed that up with a phenomenal outing. Moreover, we now know that Venom will be part of Spider-Man 2.
That announcement could have been enough, but there was more. The PlayStation Showcase also showed us the future of Marvel Comics gaming because, as well as the Spider-Man sequel, Insomniac Games are bringing us a Wolverine game.
Wolverine: Adamantium Rage, X2: Wolverine’s Revenge, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine are three games that immediately come to mind when we think of Logan. He has also been a playable character in a plethora of Marvel Comics games, but he has only had a few solo adventures. It’s quite shocking that he hasn’t had more considering that he’s one of the most popular characters in any genre.
In terms of what fans can expect from the new game from Insomniac Games, there isn’t a lot to go on. Just a clip and no gameplay. Although, that’s enough. Seeing Logan at a bar surrounded by people he likely knocked out or killed is a familiar scene for Wolverine fans. Then, before the clip ends, he pops his claws. That is a sight that made everyone ecstatic.
On that note, the excitement is definitely there but it doesn’t mean the project will be successful. Here are ten things needed to make sure the game is a success.
10. Great voice casting
This writer feels that voice actors don’t get the respect they deserve. It’s often an underappreciate part of a video game (or any animated project, really) because the wrong voice actor can turn someone off from the entire experience. The right one, however, can give fans something legendary.
Wolverine’s game has to be about more than just the violence (which we’ll get into). He has to sound like someone who’s literally and figuratively been through Hell and back. Otherwise, the game won’t have the right feeling. That’s who Logan is.
Cal Dodd, who voiced the character in the acclaimed X-Men: The Animated Series is a perfect example. He was one of the first people to voice Logan. His voice remains the one that many people hear when they’re reading comics. He can be looked at as the blueprint to what Wolverine should sound like.
9. The right villain
The right villain can make or break a game. Let’s look at Spider-Man. The Sinister Six were the chosen antagonists and it worked perfectly. There have since been rumors that Venom would be a possibility for the sequel and the Spider-Man 2 trailer confirmed it. The game hasn’t been released and people are already ready to buy it.
The good thing about Wolverine is he has a ton of deadly villains. They aren’t just people that can kill him physically. most of them are smart as well. Sabretooth has formulated plans that left Logan in pain emotionally, Romulus has been controlling Logan since he was born and then there’s Weapon X – a secret government partly responsible for Wolverine being miserable. While any of them can be used, it has to be done properly.
Like Spider-Man, Wolverine needs the right antagonist in order to succeed as a great game.
8. Have a great way to travel
Wolverine is an international and intergalactic hero. If this is going to be an adventure like the Batman: Arkham games, there has to be a good mode of travel. Wolverine’s attacks may be fast, but he’s not exactly Quicksilver. The extra 100 pounds of adamantium on his bones slows him down. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to his traveling problems.
Unlike the recent Batman and Spider-Man games, Logan could potentially end up in other countries and possibly other planets. Like we said, he travels a lot. Comic book writer Jonathan Hickman created the Krakoan gates in the comics – something that will get Logan anywhere he needs to go. Of course, we don’t know if they will appear in the game but, adding the Krakoan gates could get people interested in the new X-Men comics.
However, if he has to go from one end of the city to the other, don’t be surprised if Logan steals a motorcycle.
7. Let Wolverine use all of his powers
There is more to Wolverine than just his claws. He also has a healing factor that lets him heal from almost anything, enhanced strength (though he’s no Colossus), and his senses that allow him to track people anywhere. As much as we love the claws, highlighting all of his abilities will make the game more adventurous, difficult and enjoyable in all the right ways.
Using Wolverine’s enhanced sense of smell means we could see him track people and objects throughout a city or across the world while his super hearing would let players know when someone is getting attacked. Giving players more than just his healing abilities and claws will give them a more overall entertaining experience. Button smashers are cool, but the replay value isn’t as high.
6. Cameo from Laura
Logan isn’t the only Wolverine. Laura Kinney (formerly X-23) is wearing the costume in the comics and is Wolverine. Some people may not like the idea of another Wolverine, but it’s true. There’s more than one Spider-Man, Hulk, and Batgirl. Why can’t there be another Wolverine?
On that note, Miles Morales was part of the Spider-Man game and he was showcased early in the trailers. It was a smart move since he’s become such a popular character. On a similar note, Laura was loved in Logan and is a fantastic character, so why not have a version of her appear in the game too?
Perhaps Logan finding out about her could be part of the game. Or, maybe she could help Wolverine in a side mission. Heck, why not let her be an established hero and a possible playable character too? Either way, put both Wolverines in the game.
5. Cool alternate costumes
Alternate costumes and skins have become a standard aspect of gaming. Sometimes it can be a deciding factor when buying a project. After all, if you’re going to spend your hard-earned money, you want to make sure it’s worth it. And sometimes, the extras make all the difference.
Wolverine has been around for 47 years. In that time, he’s had a lot of costume changes. Sometimes he doesn’t even wear costumes; he just spends a lot of time in street clothes like a tank-top and jeans. There are options like him being half-naked Weapon X, wearing the Age of Apocalypse outfit, or Apocalypse’s Horseman War.
Truth be told, he’s had a lot of ‘fits in his decades-long tenure in Marvel Comics. Showcase some of them in the game.
4. More than a beast
Some people who don’t know Wolverine may only see the fighting, the claws, and the blood. That’s part of what makes him noticeable, sure, but it’s not the entire story with the character. If you’re one of his loved ones, Logan is one of the kindest people in the world. He’s also very resilient and will fight for you until he’s dead, come back to life, and get right back to it. We’ve seen him go above and beyond what anyone would do. This should be on display here.
The story can’t be just fighting, snarling, and claw-popping. The tale behind everything should spotlight his other characteristics. He has a love for international culture, respect for women, and a love of beer. All of these things can easily be incorporated in this game because they are all parts of who he is.
3. Cameos
There aren’t a lot of people Logan lets into his life. Some people know him, but don’t truly understand him. Kitty Pryde, Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrwaler are among those people. It isn’t a necessity to have any of them appear, but it would be a nice bonus to see some familiar faces pop up throughout.
Unlike Laura, these characters shouldn’t be playable. They should come in, help a little, and go away. Imagine Logan calling Storm for a hurricane to help him in a fight with Ninjas or Colossus using the fastball Special. If we can’t get any X-Men, Spider-Man should at least help in a fight, right? Both of their projects are made by Insomniac Games, after all.
2. Great fighting combos
This writer has talked about Wolverine being more than just a fighter, but let’s face it, fighting is a must in the game. All great fighting games have fun and flashy fighting combinations. This should be no different. Logan should do some incredible moves that involve him kicking, punching, and some head-butts. And, of course, his claws.
Logan has done some creative things with his claws. He cuts through people and robots like they paper, uses them to deflect attacks, and he once even used them once to return Gorgon’s stone stare. He can’t just swing wildly all the time. There’s smoothness to his attacks when he’s not going berserk. The creative team will have fun creating attacks for Wolverine and we should have fun playing as him.
1. Rated M
While the success of a product shouldn’t depend solely on its age rating, the wrong rating can undercut the story it is attempting to tell. It’s funny that Logan is a perfect example of this. It took 20th Century Fox three movies to get a solo Wolverine movie right. All it took was an R-rating. Of course, the story of Logan was far superior to its predecessors but this gave the creative team the freedom to build the perfect project. It wasn’t just the best X-Men project; Logan ended up becoming one of the best comic book movies ever made.
Logan has to be able to swear, bleed, and make his opponents bleed as well. This game shouldn’t be for everyone. That’s not to say Insomniac Games needs to go over the top. Nonetheless, God of War is a perfect example of how a mature rating won’t hurt a franchise that needs one. Kratos was a butcher of gods before Gorr and the franchise flourished for it. Wolverine has that same kind of potential and an M rating would allow Insomniac Games to showcase that.
What do you think? Are there other things you want to see in a Wolverine game? Let us know in the comments below.