The creative director behind Marvel’s Wolverine teases that the game will have a "mature tone," though that doesn't confirm an M rating. Insomniac revealed that it is working on a PS5-exclusive triple-A action title based around Marvel's fierce Canadian mutant during last Thursday’s blockbuster PlayStation Showcase, featuring a brief teaser of Logan naturally finding trouble in a barroom.
A debate has since sparked among fans about what kind of tone this new title should have, and whether or not Marvel's Wolverine needs an M Rating to faithfully capture the brutality of its title character. Logan has traditionally been one of the darker and more violent members of Marvel's pantheon of heroes, owning up to his war-filled backstory, razor-sharp Adamantium claws, and a mutant healing factor that allows him to shake off some truly graphic injuries. Most Marvel-based video games usually shy away from these bloodier aspects of Wolverine though, with 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine tie-in being the exception to this rule.
While the jury is still out on whether or not Marvel’s Wolverine will have an M Rating, Insomniac Games’ Brian Horton revealed that the game’s story will at least have a mature tone. After announcing his role as Creative Director for Marvel’s Wolverine on Twitter a few days ago, a user by the handle of Amori1770 asked him if the game would be full-sized or a smaller release like last year’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Horton replied that Marvel’s Wolverine will be a full-size game and that it will have a “mature tone.”
Given that it was only just announced a few days ago, very little is known about the plot or gameplay mechanics in Marvel’s Wolverine. Early internet rumors that correctly predicted the game have suggested that it will be a hack-and-slash title in the vein of God Of War, and Insomniac has officially confirmed that Marvel’s Wolverine will be set in the same universe as the developer’s critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man and its sequels. Some viewers have even spotted an Easter Egg hinting at a possible Wolverine boss fight with Hulk during the short trailer for Marvel’s Wolverine, though nothing official has been set in stone.
Brian Horton’s promises of Marvel’s Wolverine having a “mature tone” doesn’t necessarily mean the game will be rated M, as both of Insomniac’s Spider-Man titles explored some serious themes within the confines of a Teen Rating. However, Thursday’s Marvel's Wolverine teaser did feature plenty of dead bodies and some blood on Logan’s fist, hinting that Marvel’s Wolverine will indeed be a darker experience than Insomniac’s past comic book adventures.
Sources: Brian Horton/Twitter, Amori1770/Twitter