Ethan Crossfield 
Marvel's Wolverine is not a critical failure, but its reception marks a clear change for Insomniac Games. With a 78 Metacritic score at the time of writing, it is the studio's lowest-rated PS5 release and the first to fall below 80 on Sony's current console. Players deciding whether to follow the game should expect a more linear experience with divided opinions on its story and combat, while those waiting for Insomniac's next project may have good reason to watch how the studio responds.
What changed for Insomniac Games?
Insomniac built an unusually strong run before Wolverine. The studio's 2018 Marvel's Spider-Man became both a critical and commercial success, and the following releases continued to perform well. Stormland received strong reviews in 2019, while Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 maintained the developer's reputation for dependable, high-quality launches.
The PS5 numbers show the shift clearly. Miles Morales holds an 85 Metacritic score, Rift Apart sits at 88, and Spider-Man 2 reached 90. Wolverine's 78 remains respectable in isolation, but it is notably below the standard established by Insomniac's recent work. That makes the game a rare misstep rather than evidence that the studio has lost its ability to produce successful titles.
What should players expect from Wolverine?
Reviews have been divided across several parts of the experience. Critics have objected to the game's linear structure and what they consider overly guided design. The story has also produced contrasting reactions: some reviewers view it as another strong Insomniac narrative, while others found it less satisfying than the studio's earlier campaigns.
Combat has received a similarly mixed response. Some critics believe it captures the appeal of Wolverine, while others find the action underwhelming. The overall picture is therefore more complicated than the score alone suggests. Players who prefer tightly directed, story-focused adventures may still find reasons to engage with it, but anyone expecting another critical high point on the level of Spider-Man 2 should adjust those expectations.
What comes next for the studio?
Wolverine is not Insomniac's lowest-rated game overall. Fuse, Song of the Deep, and Edge of Nowhere all scored lower, and the developer later followed those releases with some of its most celebrated work. Sony's acquisition of Insomniac also reflects the publisher's confidence in the studio's long-term value, so one weaker reception does not necessarily change its position within PlayStation's development lineup.
Future projects remain partly unconfirmed. If reported leaks are accurate, Insomniac may be preparing a Venom game targeted for 2027, with a scope similar to Miles Morales. Marvel's Spider-Man 3 is reportedly expected to be the next full-scale project, while X-Men and Ratchet & Clank games have also been linked to the studio. These reports should be treated cautiously, but they suggest Wolverine may be a temporary downturn rather than the start of a larger decline.
What players should know
- Wolverine has a 78 Metacritic score at the time of writing.
- It is Insomniac's lowest-rated PS5 game and its first PS5 release below 80 on Metacritic.
- Reviews commonly criticize its linear, heavily guided structure.
- Opinions are split on both the story and the combat.
- The studio has recovered from lower-rated releases before, so Wolverine does not define its overall track record.
- Possible future projects include Venom, Spider-Man 3, X-Men, and Ratchet & Clank titles, though several are based on leaks.
Expert View
Marvel's Wolverine is best understood as a warning sign for Insomniac's review consistency, not a collapse of the studio's reputation. Its 78 reflects meaningful shortcomings for players seeking the polish and ambition of the developer's best PS5 games, but the score is still solid and the studio has a history of bouncing back. Waiting for a discount or more personal reviews may be sensible for undecided players, while Insomniac's next confirmed reception will matter more than this single result.
