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Wolverine Director Explains Why the New PS5 Game Isn’t Open-World
Marvel's Wolverine, the upcoming PS5 game from Spider-Man developer Insomniac Games, has drawn some online criticism for being a linear, cinematic action title rather than an open-world game in the mould of Insomniac's Spider-Man series. Game director Mike Daly has defended the approach in an interview with Polygon, explaining that every design decision was driven by what suited the character of Wolverine rather than by matching player expectations for a modern AAA release.
Daly said the team looked to classic Wolverine comic stories, which show a character who roams widely rather than staying tied to one place, making a linear action-adventure structure a better fit than an open world. This philosophy also shaped the combat system, which pushes players through three escalating "rage" tiers, from scrappy survival instincts to full aggression, designed to feel authentically like Wolverine rather than offering a generic checklist of features. The same reasoning informed the decision to set the story before the formation of the X-Men, keeping the focus tightly on Wolverine himself.
In short
- Marvel's Wolverine is linear, not open-world, unlike Insomniac's Spider-Man games
- Director Mike Daly says character fit drove the design choice
- Combat uses three escalating "rage" tiers reflecting Wolverine's nature
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A linear, character-focused narrative honours the source material and allows developers to craft deliberate emotional pacing and story beats impossible in an open world. By prioritising Wolverine's specific psychological journey over genre conventions, the team can create mechanics that feel authentically connected to the character rather than offering generic features. This approach respects artistic vision and delivers a purposeful experience rather than spreading the character's story across scattered content.
The case against
Modern AAA players expect open-world exploration and agency, offering meaningful choice and extended play value that matches the premium price point. An open world would allow players to discover Wolverine's story organically, increase replayability, and provide the content expansiveness audiences associate with flagship AAA titles. Insomniac's own Spider-Man demonstrates the critical and commercial success of superhero open-world design, suggesting this linear approach may feel unnecessarily restrictive.
Explained simply
Wolverine is a Marvel character, also known as Logan, with healing powers, heightened senses and retractable claws. He has appeared in comics, films and games, often as a tough fighter whose past and temper shape his choices.
Insomniac Games, the studio behind the recent Spider-Man games, is making a new game about him for PlayStation 5. Unlike those Spider-Man games, which let players explore a large city, this one is designed as a more guided action adventure.
The X-Men are a team of mutant heroes in Marvel stories, and Wolverine is one of their best-known members. Setting the game before he joins the team keeps its story centred on his life and character.
Entertainment Gaming Marvel's Wolverine