Marvel's Wolverine showcases suitably gruesome gameplay as it targets a release date of September 15.

      Insomniac Games utilized Sony’s recent State of Play to present an extended gameplay trailer for its PS5 exclusive, clearly establishing that this is a Wolverine game focused on blood, fury, and brutal close-quarters combat.

      The trailer depicts Logan cutting through Reavers using claw strikes, stealth kills, airborne ambushes, and execution-style finishers that splatter the screen with blood. The combat looks fast-paced and aggressive, allowing Logan to parry, close the distance, and rip through foes employing techniques like Tornado Spin and Bull Rush.

      The brutality will only be effective if the combat remains seamless.

      For Marvel’s Wolverine, mere violence won't suffice. Highly praised action games such as Devil May Cry and Bayonetta have set a demanding standard for fluid combat, precise movement, and well-integrated abilities. A comic-accurate, violent Wolverine game might still falter if it resorts to being a cumbersome brawler.

      Insomniac boasts considerable experience in superhero action. The studio's Spider-Man titles received acclaim for their seamless integration of melee combat, aerial movement, dodging, gadgets, and environmental interactions. This is critical here, as Wolverine needs to feel heavier and more ferocious than Spider-Man, while ensuring every slash, counter, leap, and finisher remains responsive.

      The footage seen thus far is promising. Logan’s movement appears weighty without being sluggish, and his attacks transition swiftly from dodges, leaps, parries, to finishers. The trailer also implies that Insomniac is providing him with sufficient mobility and diverse abilities to prevent combat from becoming monotonous.

      The most intriguing aspect of the combat system is how closely healing is linked to violence. Insomniac notes that attacks, parries, and kills build Logan’s Rage, which can be spent on more powerful strikes or to activate his Healing Factor. The recovery loop feels very much in line with Wolverine’s character, encouraging him to endure by staying in conflict and dismantling enemies.

      Jean Grey, Sabretooth, and a very Logan-centric narrative

      The trailer sets up Logan’s quest around a dark mutant-capture operation. Logan is pursuing Reavers, a cybernetic militia that is capturing young mutants for Bolivar Trask. This echoes the events of Logan, where Reavers were also involved in hunting mutants, although Insomniac is crafting its own original narrative here.

      Jean Grey is prominently featured as a captured mutant and formidable ally, employing telekinesis in combat to open opponents for Critical Strikes. The trailer also hints at Mystique and Sabretooth through avatars and closing scenes.

      Initial reactions on Reddit and X have concentrated heavily on the gore, executions, and the apparent fluidity of the combat. Some fans are labeling it a must-buy on day one, while others are watching closely to determine if the final product can achieve the smoothness found in the top character-action games.

      Marvel’s Wolverine is set to launch on September 15, 2026, exclusively for PS5. The standard edition is priced at $69.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition costs $79.99.