Highlights

  • Insomniac Games plans to release an X-Men game in 2028, following Marvel's Wolverine in 2026.
  • To avoid replicating previous adaptations, Insomniac should consider using different villains before focusing on Magneto.
  • Building up to a Magneto villain arc, similar to Insomniac's approach with Spider-Man, could create excitement for the sequel.

Following the devastating ransomware attack that hit Insomniac Games at the end of 2023, the studio's alleged slate of in-development projects was leaked. According to these leaked internal documents, Insomniac plans to release a Venom half-sequel in 2025, Marvel's Wolverine in 2026, a third installment of Marvel's Spider-Man in 2027, and finally, an X-Men game in 2028.

While Insomniac hasn't confirmed if any of these games – aside from Marvel's Wolverine – are in development, it would make sense for the studio to set its sights on the iconic team of super-powered Mutants after it tests the waters with Wolverine. But the X-Men have had plenty of video game adaptations before, and if Insomniac's game is going to stand out from the crowd, it might be best for it to avoid the team's most common adversary.

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Insomniac's X-Men Shouldn't Rush a Magneto Villain Arc

Magneto Is The Most Common X-Men Villain

By far the most popular villain associated with the X-Men, Magneto has been a thorn in the team's side since its very beginning, all the way back in 1963. An antagonist with a deeply tragic backstory and some very understandable motivations, Magneto's complexity has made him not just the X-Men's greatest foe, but one of the best villains in the entire Marvel universe. Naturally, Insomniac may want to use Magneto as Marvel's X-Men's big bad, but it should try and refrain from doing so.

While Magneto is a beloved character, he's been a focal point of just about every X-Men adaptation over the last few decades, from the various Fox-produced X-Men movies to games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, and the most recent example, X-Men '97, where his portrayal steals the show. There's more than enough complexity to Magneto's character to make each of these iterations feel fresh and exciting, but Insomniac using Magneto as the primary villain in Marvel's X-Men might be the straw that breaks the camel's back, especially if the MCU's version of the character beats Insomniac to the punch.

Insomniac Should Build Up to a Magneto Villain Arc

When it came to picking a main antagonist for Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man, the developer didn't just rush straight to Green Goblin or Venom. Instead, Insomniac put the lesser-known Mr. Negative at the forefront of the game's marketing and the first half of its story. Along the way, Insomniac teased an eventual appearance of the Green Goblin, something that its sequel continued to build upon ahead of an inevitable third installment. It might be wise for Insomniac to follow a similar approach with Marvel's X-Men.

Rather than rush straight to Magneto, Insomniac's first X-Men game could focus on a different classic X-Men villain, with there being plenty to choose from. According to the leaks, Mr. Sinister could appear in Marvel's Wolverine, and it'd make sense for him to return in Marvel's X-Men. The Sentinels and all of their related villains would be another great pick for Insomniac's first X-Men game. It'd also be great to see some less-explored villains take the spotlight in Marvel's X-Men, such as the Shadow King. With these villains in the central antagonist role, Insomniac could gradually build to a big Magneto reveal in its X-Men sequel, teasing the villain through dialogue and a post-credits scene beforehand, building excitement for the otherwise expected adversary.