Marvel’s Wolverine has become a focus for criticism of patronising design in blockbuster video games. Although reviews were reasonably positive, viral clips showing excessive visual prompts, guidance and automated sequences have led players to mock the game and question whether modern titles remove too much challenge and player agency.

The article distinguishes difficulty from “friction”: difficulty concerns how hard a game is, while friction describes how much assistance it provides. Wolverine’s sonar pulses, highlighted targets, objective trails and characters’ constant instructions are presented as examples of design that may prevent players becoming stuck but can also eliminate discovery, decision-making and the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles.