One of the InsomniacSpider-Manseries' most lauded features is its fluid traversal. The perfect combination of cinematic animations and player-controlled inputs,Marvel’s Spider-Man’s web-swingingis one of the most satisfying traversal systems in video game history, and it goes hand in hand with the series' bustling open-world. But nowMarvel’s Wolverineis expected to reach the same heights.
A core part of Spider-Man’s identity in the comics, movies, and any other piece of Marvel media is the hero’s agility, acrobatic nature, and unique method of traversal. Wolverine, on the other hand, isn’t as closely associated with a specific type of movement. With so much secrecy still surroundingMarvel’s Wolverine, some fans are wondering just how Insomniac will approach the hero’s in-game traversal, and the recently releasedMarvel Rivalsmight be the best indication.
Marvel Rivals Could Be Setting The Stage for Marvel’s Wolverine’s Traversal
How Wolverine’s Movement Works in Marvel Rivals
Released just over a month ago,Marvel Rivalsis a new6v6 hero shooterthat lets players take control of some of the most iconic heroes and villains in Marvel’s extensive catalog. Wolverine is one such hero, taking the role of a damage-focused Duelist.
With hero shooters often revolving around modes that require the player to get back to the objective as fast as possible, many characters tend to have one or two movement abilities. For some characters, these movement abilities double as an attack.Marvel Rivals' Wolverine has two such abilities.
“Feral Leap” sees Wolverine launch into the air, clearing large distances and grounding any foe that comes into contact with his claws, while “Vicious Rampage” has Wolverine performing a quick dash forward that ends in a claw strike. ThoughMarvel Rivals' Wolverineisn’t nearly as agile as heroes like Spider-Man, Iron Fist, or even Moon Knight, his abilities do allow him to enter and leave combat quickly, granting him a much-needed respite from the action.
This isn’t the first time Marvel fans have seen Wolverine jump across battlefields. Along with leaping across the pages of countless Marvel comics, Wolverine’s primary method of traversal in the beloved2009X-Men Origins: Wolverinegameis a very satisfying-to-use lunge attack that has the hero leaping between enemies, plunging his claws deep into the chests of each one.
Marvel Rivals' Wolverine also has a team-up move with the Hulk that sees the Vanguard launching Wolverine into the air, referencing the “Fastball Special” move he and Colossus have often used in the comics.
Marvel’s Wolverine Might Want to Carry These Traversal Mechanics Forward
WhileInsomniac’sWolverinemay not be a fully open-world game (nothing has been officially confirmed yet), it might still have open-ended areas, and players will need to be given some way to traverse these stages. A leap ability similar to those found inMarvel RivalsandX-Men Origins: Wolverinewould likely be the best option for Insomniac’sWolverine, striking the right balance of comic accuracy and player-freedom.
Though Insomniac hasn’t officially revealed any gameplay details ofMarvel’s Wolverine, leaked early builds of the game suggest players will be able to jump over obstacles, climb surfaces, and run across walls, as well as leap high into the air.
Marvel’s Wolverine
Marvel’s Wolverine is a third-person action game from Insomniac Games that is set in the same universe as the studio’s Spider-Man titles.
