Marvel’s Wolverine Debuts at 78 on Metacritic and Splits Critics

Marvel’s Wolverine arrived on PS5 on September 15, 2026 as Sony’s big bet for a thin year of exclusives — and debuted at 78 on Metacritic, the lowest score for Insomniac Games in a decade. For a studio used to 85–90 with its Spider-Man trilogy, the number became the headline. Here is what critics praised, what they panned and who the game is for.

Quick answer: is the game bad?

No — it is good, but not what Insomniac has trained audiences to expect. The 78 average (109 reviews) reflects a clear consensus: story and characters widely praised, combat criticized as shallow and repetitive for a mutant whose identity is fighting. If you want a mature Logan story inside Insomniac’s Spider-Man universe, it is worth it. If you expect the benchmark gameplay of the Spider-Man games, adjust your expectations.

The numbers that spooked Sony

Game (Insomniac)	Metacritic
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (2023)	90
Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)	87
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020)	85
Marvel’s Wolverine (2026)	78 (109 reviews)

The embargo lifted on September 10, five days before launch — a sign of confidence the numbers did not back up. Kotaku noted it is Sony’s lowest-scoring exclusive of the PS5 era, and GamesRadar+ called it “not the smash hit Sony needed” for an exclusive lineup widely seen as weak in 2026.

What critics praised

A grown-up Logan

The story is the unanimous high point: an older, violent, weary Wolverine, with themes of memory and guilt that Insomniac handles with a maturity rare in superhero games. The mature rating allowed blood, dismemberment and a tone the Spider-Man games could not have.

Characters and performances

The supporting cast and voice direction were highlighted in nearly every review, as was the connection to the shared universe of the Spider-Man games, with references fans will hunt down.

What critics panned

Shallow combat

This is the central criticism. The adamantium claws deliver brutal finishers, but the system repeats itself: few enemy variations, combos that resolve with the same two buttons and a rage mode that becomes a crutch. For a character defined by fighting, it is the worst place to miss.

A generic open world

Several reviews describe side activities as a “checklist,” with little of the creativity that web-swinging gave the Spider-Man games.

Why this matters to you

If you own a PS5 and love narrative, Wolverine is one of the best superhero stories in games — and the only reason to buy at launch. If you are after top-tier gameplay, wait for a sale: with a lower-than-expected score and softer demand than the Spider-Man games, discounts should come faster than Sony would like.

Frequently asked questions

What is Marvel’s Wolverine’s Metacritic score?

78, based on 109 critic reviews, Insomniac Games’ lowest in about a decade.

Is Marvel’s Wolverine a PS5 exclusive?

Yes, at launch (September 15, 2026). A PC version follows Sony’s usual pattern and should arrive later, with no date.

Is Marvel’s Wolverine worth it?

For story and characters, yes. For those expecting the benchmark combat of the Spider-Man games, reviews recommend caution or waiting for a sale.

At DigitalRadar, we summarize the reviews so you can decide without reading ten sites. Stay on the radar for the next launches.