Marvel's Wolverine launches on PS5 with an 18 rating and a heavier combat focus

Sony will release Marvel's Wolverine for PlayStation 5 on Tuesday. It is the console's biggest exclusive of the year and was developed by Insomniac, the studio behind the recent Spider-Man games.

The game has a UK PEGI 18 rating because of substantial blood, gore and violence. Children cannot legally buy it under that classification.

Combat and game length

Players control Logan, or Wolverine, who uses retractable claws and a healing ability. Combat centres on a rage meter: when full, it allows faster takedowns, while stored rage can also be spent to restore health.

The campaign took about 20 hours to reach the end credits, while a colleague completed it in roughly 15. Stealth options and unlockable abilities are available, but the main emphasis is on direct attacks.

A linear structure replaces open-world exploration

Unlike Spider-Man, whose New York could be freely explored, Wolverine follows a linear route through more tightly curated environments. Freelance critic Emma Kent described the change as a significant shift in Insomniac's approach to game design.

Combat is interrupted by short exploration sections and frequent cutscenes. They work well initially but begin to slow the game down later, according to the review.

The risk of an adult rating

Director Mike Daly accepted that an 18 rating reduces the game's potential audience, despite the character's appeal to children. He said that restriction was necessary if the team wanted to present Wolverine in this version of the universe.

Liam McIntyre, who plays Wolverine, told BBC Newsbeat that he was proud of the story, character and performances. Troy Baker, also known for playing Joel in The Last of Us, is singled out for his performance as Nathaniel Essex.

The success of Deadpool & Wolverine may point to wider interest in more violent Marvel stories: the Hugh Jackman film grossed $1.3bn worldwide, while its $205m US opening was the best ever for an R-rated film.