The Previews Are In — And They Are Not What Fans Hoped
Marvel's Wolverine hands-on preview impressions published on August 13 are generating a reaction that nobody expected — caution. After years of hype built on Insomniac's Spider-Man pedigree, the SDCC story trailer, and the X-Men trilogy announcement, the first hands-on accounts from journalists who played the game at Insomniac's studio are landing with noticeably more restraint than the pre-release excitement suggested. The word that appears most consistently across preview coverage is "solid" — not "extraordinary," not "game-changing," but "solid."
Eurogamer's Preview — "Decently Solid Action Game"
Eurogamer, one of the most respected gaming outlets in Europe, published its preview ahead of the embargo with the headline calling Wolverine "a decently solid action game" before specifically noting "shortcomings with combat and a mediocre story." This is meaningful criticism from a publication with a track record of honesty. Combat shortcomings in an action game where combat is the central mechanic is a significant concern. A mediocre story from Insomniac — whose Spider-Man games have been praised specifically for their storytelling — is an unexpected note given the X-Men universe's narrative richness.
What Specific Concerns Were Raised
Across the preview coverage that has published, the most consistent specific concerns are: the combat system feeling less evolved than Spider-Man 2's web-swinging and combat combination, the level-based structure creating a more linear experience than fans accustomed to open-world games might expect, and the story's opening sections not immediately establishing the emotional urgency that the trailers suggested. Several previews note that the game improves significantly in later sections that journalists did not get to play — which is encouraging but unverifiable until the full game is in players' hands on September 15.
The Insomniac Disclaimer
It is worth noting that hands-on previews for even the best games often underestell the final experience. Spider-Man 2's previews were positive but did not fully convey how exceptional the complete game turned out to be. Preview sessions are designed to show specific slices of the experience rather than the whole — and the sections chosen by the developer are not always representative of the game's best moments. Multiple preview writers note the caveat that later sections appear to deliver more of what the trailers promised. September 15 reviews, rather than August 13 previews, will be the definitive assessment.
What This Means for Indian Gamers
For Indian PS5 owners deciding whether to pre-order Marvel's Wolverine at approximately ₹5,999, the preview caution warrants waiting for full reviews on or around September 12 before committing. Insomniac's track record remains strong and the preview concerns may not reflect the complete experience. But "decently solid" from trusted outlets is a signal worth taking seriously rather than dismissing. Wait for reviews, read multiple perspectives, then decide. The September 15 launch gives you time to make an informed purchase rather than pre-ordering on hype alone.
My Take
Preview caution for an Insomniac game is genuinely surprising. The studio's last three releases — Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Spider-Man 2 — all generated overwhelmingly positive pre-release impressions. Wolverine generating more measured previews suggests either that the game is genuinely less exceptional than its pedigree implied, or that the preview build shown to journalists was not the best representation of what the final game delivers. I am reserving judgment until September 15 reviews. But "decently solid" from Eurogamer is a phrase worth remembering when considering whether to pre-order.
