Insomniac Games’ newest blockbuster, Marvel’s Wolverine, has arrived on PlayStation 5 with a darker, bloodier tone than the studio’s previous Spider-Man entries, but some players are arguing that its unlockable cartoon suits undercut the game’s emotional weight. Released September 15 for PS5, the title follows James “Logan” Howlett through roughly a two-hour campaign of brutal close-quarters combat, yet a pair of cel-shaded outfits inspired by old animated series have drawn sharp criticism from critics and fans alike for clashing with the game’s solemn mood.
The controversy centers on two specific unlockables: the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls suit and the Animated suit. Both are bright, comic-book-inspired takes on Wolverine that borrow their visual style from the cartoon adaptations of the character. On paper they read as playful tributes to the mutant’s pop-culture history, but within the context of a game defined by visceral violence and psychological torment, many players feel they land poorly.
A Game Built for Blood
Marvel’s Wolverine marks a deliberate tonal shift for Insomniac Games. Where its Spider-Man titles placed Peter Parker and Miles Morales in sprawling open-world recreations of New York City, this follow-up is far more linear, threading players from one tightly scripted mission to the next with an emphasis on narrative momentum over exploration.
The game leans heavily into Wolverine’s signature brutality. Over its roughly 20-hour runtime, Logan drives his foot-long claws through countless enemies and coats the environment in blood, a stark contrast to the comparatively PG approach Insomniac took with Spider-Man, who tends to web up foes and punch them unconscious rather than kill.
The title has also drawn criticism for how heavily it guides players through moment-to-moment action. Quick-time events and on-screen prompts pointing toward the next objective have dominated both reviews and social media, with some arguing the approach removes player agency from the combat.
The Suits That Stood Out
“I’d crafted and equipped it immediately out of curiosity, but it took me right out of the moment because Wolverine looks absurd, especially against the moody, solemn lighting.”
Polygon on the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls suit
In isolation, the cartoon suits are undeniably bold. Rendered in bright cel-shading rather than the hyper-detailed textures used to animate every strand of hair on Wolverine’s chest, they trade realism for a flashier aesthetic. But that very prominence is what makes them problematic within the game’s narrative.
Marvel’s Wolverine follows Logan as he battles his inner demons and struggles to rein in the killing machine inside him. Throughout the campaign, he uncovers a forgotten past he has no desire to revisit, grounding the story in grief, guilt, and restraint. The cartoon suits disrupt that atmosphere entirely.
The disconnect becomes especially noticeable during emotionally heavy sequences. Shortly after players unlock the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls suit, they witness Logan’s love interest, Jean Grey, fall out with him on the rainy streets of Tokyo. Later scenes include Logan nearly stabbing Jean during a nightmarish episode and being forced to kill his ally Walter Langkowski, also known as Sasquatch. Equipping either cartoon outfit during these moments—or amid the gory combat that surrounds them—creates a jarring tonal mismatch.
An Optional Choice
The suits remain entirely optional. Players who unlock them need not craft or equip them at all, and some may argue that offering light comic relief is a welcome addition to an otherwise grim campaign. The comparison to Insomniac’s earlier work highlights the difference: those same comic-themed outfits worked within the lighter Spider-Man games but feel out of place in Wolverine’s darker world.
Looking Ahead
As Marvel’s Wolverine continues to draw players since its September 15 launch, the debate over its cartoon suits reflects a broader conversation about how studios balance fan service with tonal consistency. Whether these outfits become a beloved Easter egg or remain a point of contention may depend on how future updates and community discussions shape their reputation.
For now, Insomniac Games has delivered one of the most brutal entries in recent superhero gaming, even as fans grapple with whether its brightest suits belong in such a dark story.
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