The Unleashed Beast: How God of War Inspires Marvel's Wolverine to Reach New Heights

Highlights

God of War and its sequel showcase the pinnacle of single-player storytelling, offering an epic journey through the nine realms.

Insomniac's Marvel's Wolverine project has the potential to achieve critical acclaim by taking inspiration from the gameplay mechanics and storytelling approach of God of War.

With their distinct combat abilities and intricate personalities, both Wolverine and Kratos offer an opportunity for Insomniac to create a captivating and immersive Wolverine game, using Kratos as a blueprint.

God of War and its sequel, set to release in 2022, represent the epitome of linear, single-player storytelling. These two games take players on an epic journey alongside the characters Kratos and Atreus as they navigate the nine realms. The success of these games breathed new life into the God of War franchise, which had previously faltered with God of War: Ascension. The gameplay and exploration style in these games differ significantly from the Greek saga, incorporating an over-the-shoulder perspective. This perspective is expected to be utilized by Insomniac in their upcoming project, Marvel's Wolverine, adding to the anticipation surrounding its release. Marvel's Wolverine is believed to be Insomniac's next game following the highly anticipated Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which is set to launch on October 20. While details about Marvel's Wolverine are scarce, drawing inspiration from the success of Kratos, Atreus, and Santa Monica Studios could be a strategic move for Insomniac, potentially leading to a positive reception for their game.

God of War's Combat is Quick, but Brutish

Before 2018, God of War was a fast-paced game with a fixed camera perspective, emphasizing combos for progression. It took inspiration from games like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry to ensure an enjoyable experience. However, in the latter part of the 2010s, it became evident that the franchise needed something fresh. The reboot retained fundamental concepts but presented them in a new and unique manner. Battles still maintain their fast and fluid nature, with Kratos showcasing his skills while overcoming hordes of enemies in various arenas throughout the story. The protagonist's speed, agility, and expertise with melee weapons are crucial.

This also bears resemblance to Wolverine. His human form and animalistic instincts make him agile and formidable in combat. However, a standard hack-and-slash gameplay approach could clash with the serious and realistic tone of the character. By adopting a philosophy from the later God of War games and focusing on gameplay mechanics that suit Wolverine's claws instead of Kratos' Leviathan Axe, Marvel's Wolverine can instantly captivate players.

Wolverine and Kratos are Tough Nuts to Crack

Wolverine's allure stems not from his battle prowess, but from his choice to conceal his emotions, presenting himself as an enigma. When Logan does allow his remorse, joy, love, or desperation to surface, it carries more weight as it contradicts his established nature, revealing a rarely seen facet of his character. Given the limited promotional material, it is likely that Insomniac's forthcoming Wolverine project will delve into a more serious portrayal of the character, potentially drawing inspiration from James Mangold's Logan or the comic series Old Man Logan. This approach would bear notable resemblances to how Kratos is depicted in Norse mythology.

Even before the events of God of War (2018) transpired, Kratos had already endured a difficult life plagued by the deaths of gods and the spilling of blood. Therefore, when Baldur pays him an early visit, Kratos feels as though he is merely existing on borrowed time. This ingeniously allows for the reuse of an established character while introducing fresh personality traits to maintain his allure, with the narrative relying on his reluctance to display his emotions. In terms of Marvel's Wolverine, the shared characteristics and skill sets between Logan and Kratos suggest that Insomniac can build upon the progress made by Santa Monica Studio and continue to push boundaries.

Marvel's Wolverine is in development.