Following the massive success of Marvel’s Spider-Man series, Insomniac Games is venturing deeper into the Marvel universe with their upcoming title, Marvel’s Wolverine. Announced a few years back with an exciting teaser, anticipation is building for the game's release. Wolverine's rich history across comics, TV, and movies provides Insomniac with a vast pool of characters and storylines to draw inspiration from. With that in mind, here are the X-Men characters we're most excited to potentially see in Marvel’s Wolverine.
Before we dive into the character wish list, it's worth noting that a data leak in 2023 revealed alleged plot details for Marvel's Wolverine. While our list is formulated independently of these leaks, some overlaps are possible. Keep in mind that pre-release information can change, leaving room for surprises when the final game arrives. Now, let's explore the characters we hope to encounter:
1. Sabretooth: Wolverine’s Eternal Rival
You simply can't have a Wolverine game without Sabretooth. Their intertwined history is fundamental to Wolverine's lore. Bound by a relentless rivalry and sharing similar powers, including a potent healing factor, Sabretooth is Logan’s most iconic antagonist.
In Marvel’s Wolverine, Sabretooth would be an incredible villain. While perhaps not the primary antagonist, he’d excel as a formidable mid-boss, similar to Kraven's role in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, providing thrilling and personal combat encounters.
2. Mister Sinister: Master Manipulator from Wolverine’s Past
For a main villain, Mister Sinister stands out as a compelling choice. Alternatively, Romulus could offer a deeper dive into Wolverine’s obscure history for Insomniac's debut Wolverine title.
As Nathaniel Essex, Mister Sinister conducted brutal experiments on Wolverine around the time he first crossed paths with Sabretooth. Beyond this connection, Mister Sinister's extensive involvement in the broader X-Men universe opens doors for future crossovers with heroes like Cyclops and villains like Apocalypse.
3. Silver Fox: A Haunting Love from Logan’s Early Days
Silver Fox represents one of Logan's earliest and most tragic romances. Their shared past, even including a pet dog named Old Blue, ended in heartbreak with her death at the hands of Sabretooth on Wolverine’s birthday.
Intriguingly, a mysterious figure claiming to be Silver Fox later joined Wolverine and Sabretooth in Team X, leading to a complex and engaging storyline. This arc offers rich material for Insomniac to develop into compelling side quests within Marvel’s Wolverine.
4. The Hand: Shadowy Ninjas of the Marvel Universe
The Hand, a notorious supervillain organization, clashed with Wolverine during his post-World War II period in Japan. Their established history makes them ideal as enemy fodder in Marvel’s Wolverine. However, Insomniac could leverage The Hand to pave the way for future Marvel games.
The continued absence of a Daredevil AAA game is puzzling, and introducing The Hand within the Wolverine game could be a strategic move by Insomniac to set the stage for a potential Daredevil title.
5. Professor X: The Mentor Who Could Change Everything
Given that Marvel’s Wolverine is set to introduce mutants into Insomniac’s established universe, Professor X feels like a natural inclusion. As the X-Men's leader, Professor X would be the perfect character for Wolverine to encounter towards the game’s climax. An invitation to join Xavier's School could serve as a pivotal moment, laying the foundation for future games centered on the X-Men as a team, with Wolverine as a central figure.
6. Jean Grey: A Bridge to the X-Men
If Silver Fox doesn't feature in Marvel’s Wolverine, Insomniac might explore another significant love interest for Logan, with Jean Grey being a strong possibility. Her inclusion presents interesting narrative opportunities.
Jean Grey’s presence naturally brings Cyclops into the picture, although he might be less likely to appear in Wolverine’s debut game. Regardless, using Jean as a bridge character could seamlessly connect Wolverine's personal story to his eventual involvement with Professor X and the wider X-Men team.
7 & 8. Nightcrawler & Colossus: X-Men Allies for Exciting Gameplay Potential
While we don't know the breadth of Logan's story Marvel’s Wolverine will cover, there are a few X-Men beyond Jean and Professor X that fans are eager to see. Nightcrawler and Colossus top that list.
Nightcrawler has become one of Wolverine's closest friends within the X-Men. Their playful banter, especially during training, and simultaneous entry into the team highlight their bond. Furthermore, Nightcrawler's teleportation powers could offer incredibly fun cameo gameplay possibilities if he becomes a playable character in certain segments.
Similarly, if Colossus makes an appearance in Marvel’s Wolverine, Insomniac has to incorporate the iconic Fastball Special. For those unfamiliar, this move involves Colossus launching Wolverine through the air to strike targets. Colossus doesn't need a major role in this initial game, but witnessing a Fastball Special in action during a key battle would be an amazing treat for long-time comic book enthusiasts.
