For gaming enthusiasts immersed in the Marvel universe, the future looks exceptionally bright with Insomniac Games at the helm. Not only are they on the brink of concluding the Marvel’s Spider-Man saga with a two-part game, but they are also set to unveil a spin-off centered on Venom prior to this. Progress on Marvel’s Wolverine is well underway, and the revelation of an extensive X-Men game around 2030 has fans buzzing with anticipation. While specific details about this game remain scarce, speculation abounds regarding its potential impact.
The Marvel community has been abuzz with discussions about the possible lineup for the X-Men game, advocating for the inclusion of underrated characters like Magik alongside fan favorites such as Gambit. However, beyond delivering a stellar X-Men game featuring an array of beloved characters, Insomniac's project holds the potential to achieve much more. Not only could Insomniac's X-Men function as a pseudo-sequel to Marvel’s Wolverine, but it could also serve as a launchpad for a diverse range of X-Men spin-offs.
Insomniac’s X-Men: More Than Just Another X-Men Game
Wolverine and the X-Men: A Natural Progression for Insomniac’s Logan
Wolverine has been the focal point of several remarkable story arcs, from the brief stint in Japan by Claremont and Miller to the standout run by Greg Rucka, not to mention Jason Aaron’s captivating work. Aaron's narrative not only featured an entertaining collaboration with Spider-Man that Insomniac could draw inspiration from for a crossover game, but it also encompassed a blend of grounded tales such as Adamantium Men and more extravagant adventures like Wolverine Goes to Hell. Moreover, Aaron daringly positioned Logan as the head of a new Mutant school populated by lesser-known characters like Idie, Broo, and Kid Omega, with support from the likes of Iceman, Kitty Pryde, and Storm. This setting gave rise to a plethora of engaging scenarios following the school's establishment.
While certain elements of Wolverine and the X-Men may require adaptation, such as the tie-ins with Avengers vs. X-Men and the Mutant roster under Logan's tutelage, the potential of immediately thrusting him into a prominent teaching role within the X-Men game is intriguing. Given the previous leak of Jean Grey in Marvel’s Wolverine, it is conceivable that she will recruit him to join Charles Xavier’s school as an educator. Alternatively, he could collaborate with Jean to establish his own institution, setting Insomniac’s X-Men apart by introducing a new Headmaster instead of the customary figurehead, Xavier. Witnessing Logan navigate unfamiliar territory as an educator promises excitement, and observing his struggles in running a school could prove even more captivating. In either scenario, the X-Men game could effectively function as a partial sequel to Marvel’s Wolverine, prominently featuring him.
X-Men Spin-Offs: A Natural Fit for Insomniac
The X-Men game not only has the potential to serve as a spiritual sequel to Marvel's Wolverine, but it could also lay the groundwork for multiple Mutant spin-offs. With X-Men games scheduled as PlayStation exclusives until 2035, it is difficult to envision Insomniac and Sony not capitalizing on this agreement. Following the 2030 release of X-Men, Insomniac could initiate the launch of spin-offs in the subsequent year, introducing two or three standalone Mutant adventures before the PlayStation deal expires. In light of this, specific characters could be primed for further narratives within the X-Men game, with unresolved storylines left dangling and post-credits scenes employed to build anticipation for these solo ventures.