Marvel's Wolverine, Insomniac's upcoming PS5-exclusive superhero game, has become the focus of intense online hostility following the release of hands-on previews ahead of its 15 September launch date. The backlash centres on the game being a more linear, cinematic action-adventure experience rather than the open-world format of Insomniac's Spider-Man titles, with specific moments—such as a chase scene and a Sentinel boss fight—drawing particular ridicule. Marketing director James Stevenson described the criticism as a "relentless onslaught" that he doubted was healthy or representative, while Polygon's own preview offered a more measured assessment, praising the game's lean feel but noting concerns about depth.

The article argues the reaction is more complicated than simple dissatisfaction with gameplay footage, pointing to Insomniac's history of being targeted by gaming controversies, including 2018's "Puddlegate" over supposedly downgraded graphics and a 2023 cyberattack that leaked early Wolverine footage. It also links the current backlash to the 2024 culture war involving Sweet Baby Inc., a consulting studio accused by some gamers of pushing "DEI" into titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2, suggesting Wolverine has become entangled in wider, ongoing internet discourse battles beyond straightforward criticism of the game itself.