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The way superhero media tends to operate, it seems like only a matter of time before Insomniac Games' Spider-Man and Wolverine will team up. Spider-Man's immediate heroes, villains, and supporting cast are already well-established. As for the latter, Insomniac Games has proven itself with the Marvel'sSpider-Man franchise, so fans can rest assured it will give the same treatment to Marvel's Wolverine.
Spider-Man and Wolverine have crossed paths more than enough times in Marvel comics, so it would be a surprise if their video game counterparts didn't meet. But while Marvel'sSpider-Man caters to a younger crowd, Wolverine's powers and personality might be best suited for more mature audiences. Should Insomniac Games decide to do a crossover involving the two superheroes, it needs to be careful about blending their target demographics.
Marvel's Spider-Man is a Hero for Everyone
Thanks to the releases of Marvel's Spider-Man and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, players know that Insomniac Games' take on the web slingers is a hopeful character. Peter Parker and Miles Morales go through tough times in their respective games, but their optimistic personalities and helpful allies usually turn things around for the better. There may be some lows in the Marvel's Spider-Man world, but the light-hearted nature of the two heroes helps them pull through.
The Spider-Men's powers are also less vicious than other superheroes. Players can spend hours web-swinging and wall-crawling around New York City before they even think about stopping crime. When it's time to dish out justice, both Spider-Men pull their punches so as not to kill the bad guys. The way these heroes got their powers is also pretty tame compared to a number of other comic characters.
Wolverine's Attitude, Powers, and Story Have Always Been Violent
Since there is currently no gameplay footage for Marvel's Wolverine, the best fans can hope for is that the game will stay true to his comic and movie counterparts. Wolverine has mostly been a no-nonsense character akin to Kratos from God of War. He seldom talks, and when he does, his words are usually spoken in anger. Because of this, Wolverine tends to be a loner, and it's safe to assume Insomniac's upcoming title will focus primarily on Logan and his solitary lifestyle.
When words fail, Wolverine turns to his Adamantium claws, immense strength, and accelerated healing factor. The claws alone are a cause for concern, as past games have tried and failed to make Wolverine's powers more palatable by incorporating gameplay elements like a rogue's gallery comprised of robotic enemies such as Sentinels. These tricks cheapen the character's abilities and make him seem less powerful than he truly is.
Insomniac Games Should Work on Building Wolverine Before a Team Up With Spidey
Censorship for Wolverine could easily make its way into a crossover with Spider-Man, as both are unique characters with different demographics. The developers might be more inclined to target the younger audience, as if players can't bash people's heads in as Peter Parker, they similarly should not be able to slice up enemies with Wolverine's Adamantium claws. However, this would be a huge disservice to both characters.
If Insomniac Games want Spider-Man and Wolverine's worlds to collide, it has to properly establish both heroes. Marvel's Spider-Man is already well-established, but Marvel's Wolverine has to do right in Logan's first outing by covering the character's backstory, motivations, and immediate connections with others. Only then can the developers start thinking about a team-up that will appease fans of both superheroes.
Marvel's Wolverine is in development for PS5.
