So Insomniac Games’ treatment of Marvel’s Wolverine dropped a couple of weeks ago. And while some fans have certainly been divided over the creative direction taken, it’s no doubt dug its claws in with its comic book motif and its wild combat. Not to mention it’s a real looker when it comes to visuals.
But something has been brewing since – interest in Activision’s 2009 release X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It came out for a number of platforms, but Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have gotten the most focus, mainly due to the game’s visceral nature. And hoo boy, do we mean visceral. Copies have sold for well over $100 on eBay, and the game is very high in demand.
So when it comes to comparing the two, who’s the real champion? Which game walks away with the award for being the most definitive Wolverine game? Well, let’s find out!
Story
Raven Software, the developers of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, were tasked with making a game built around the license of the movie. (It released around the same time.) But they actually outdid themselves by telling more of the story, and involving some original encounters – including a battle with a Sentinel that’s one for the ages.
Marvel’s Wolverine isn’t bad, however. It tells the story of Logan reuniting with his crew (including his hot-headed brother Sabretooth) and rescuing mutants from an evil presence. It does have some slower moments, taking away from the game’s momentum. But it’s not nearly as bad as some online fanboys will have you believe.
While Marvel’s Wolverine does have its comic book origins, I prefer X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Again, Raven built upon already existing movie lore and did a tremendous job with it.
Winner: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Visuals
Here’s another great category where both games excel. Even though X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a 17-year old game (almost old enough to drive!), it’s quite the looker. It runs at a pretty decent frame rate, even on PS3, and the visual details are good fun. Not to mention the combat is very bloody, such as taking a pilot out of a helicopter and chopping his head off in the rotors. Wow.
That said, Marvel’s Wolverine has an unfair advantage. It’s made with newer hardware in mind, and obviously with a much more inflated budget. But Insomniac makes the most of it, with powerful visuals that light up the screen. Some of the interior locations are a bit drab, but the overall appearance looks awesome, to say the least.
So, yeah, a win for Marvel’s Wolverine. Can’t fault how it looks. But that doesn’t mean X-Men Origins is shabby by any means.
Winner: Marvel’s Wolverine
Audio
I think both games are pretty close to nailing what they needed to get done here.
Hugh Jackman (or a sound-alike, anyway) provides the voice for X-Men Origins: Wolverine’s Logan, and hits it out of the park. But Liam McIntyre also makes the role his own with his respective game, capturing all the essence and emotion we’ve come to expect from the somewhat hesitant hero.
The rest of the voice cast for each game is up to par as well, and the sound effects – well, there’s a lot of “snikt”-ing in each, so that’s about equal. And the music for both games is very well done, though, again, Marvel’s Wolverine has a slight edge with a bigger budget.
But both games do well enough in the sound department that they tie for the category.
Winner: Tie
Gameplay
Here’s the good stuff. Marvel’s Wolverine delivers on every bit of its violent, over the top action. Its combo system isn’t bad at all, the finishers are real gushy with the red stuff, and the boss battles are phenomenal with a Souls-like approach. Our encounters with Omega Red and the Sentinel were good fun.
That said…X-Men Origins: Wolverine gets closer to the nature of what the character is about. The lunging attacks are way better than they are in the PS5 Wolverine; some of the set pieces (like the full-on battle with a larger Sentinel) are incredible; and exploring for hidden stuff is terrific. There is occasional problem-solving, but it’s not as drawn out as Marvel’s Wolverine’s story sequences.
Also…let’s talk using feral senses. In Marvel’s Wolverine, it looks a bit…awkward? Like you’re following fart smells. That’s not terrible, and it does point you where you need to go, but it just looks slightly out of place. Whereas with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, you follow a feral “feel” once you activate the alternate mode. Nothing to get in the way of the action.
So, despite the fact both games are hella fun when it comes to delivering carnage-inducing mayhem, X-Men Origins: Wolverine just feels a bit more exciting.
Winner: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Overall
Wow, this was a bit tougher than I thought it would be.
Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Wolverine is certainly no slouch. It captures what makes the character great for the most part, and puts him in an original story that stays loyal to the comic books. Plus it’s good fun carving your way through tougher opponents and leveling up properly; and it just looks awesome on PS5 hardware.
But…I’ll give the win to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It just feels better overall when it comes to the creativity of its combat, some of its larger moments truly stand out, and despite its age, it still runs pretty smoothly. It deserves a re-release, but I understand why it won’t get one. So, yeah, hunt down a copy before the prices get too out of hand.
It was a tough fight, but at the end of the day, Raven’s Wolverine prevails. Just slightly. But I recommend both games.
Winner: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
