Marvel's Wolverine, the latest action game from Insomniac Games, is facing scrutiny from players over certain gameplay segments that appear to require little to no player interaction. While the game has been praised by some, a growing sentiment among players suggests that the title is overly 'handholdy,' with a linear structure and features like scent trails to guide objectives contributing to this perception.
More recently, attention has focused on specific sequences where the game seems to "play itself." This criticism is particularly highlighted by a viral motorcycle chase scene. Insomniac's quick-time events (QTEs) in Wolverine are reportedly designed such that players often do not need to press buttons to succeed. Unlike historical QTEs where failure could lead to negative consequences, Wolverine's QTEs often proceed regardless of player input. For instance, in an arm-wrestling scene against Sabretooth, failing to press button prompts may result in Logan not gaining the upper hand, but major consequences for not mashing buttons are rare. While some QTE failures can lead to Logan taking damage, thereby disadvantaging the player in subsequent combat, the game does not typically present immediate fail states.
The motorcycle chase sequence has become a focal point for these criticisms. In this segment, Logan pursues a truck carrying captive mutants on a motorcycle. Players are expected to steer left and right to avoid oncoming traffic and navigate turns. However, clips circulating online show players completing the section without active input, with Wolverine seemingly steering himself by bouncing between guardrails.
Ironically, actively controlling the motorcycle during this chase can increase the likelihood of failure. While players can accelerate and brake, the motorcycle often corrects its course automatically to stay on the path. Logan's healing factor also mitigates damage taken from collisions with obstacles, making the consequences of not playing negligible in the long run. Players can reach the destination without direct control, raising questions about the impact of player agency.
These design choices have led some players to feel that the game's stakes are lowered. The tension and engagement derived from overcoming challenging segments can be diminished if parts of the game progress regardless of player action. For some, this approach feels antithetical to the nature of video games, where player involvement is typically central to the experience. While Wolverine's combat can be demanding, these less interactive segments have drawn criticism, especially as some players feel PlayStation titles are prioritizing cinematic storytelling over core gameplay mechanics. Any perceived removal of the player from the interactive equation is likely to face scrutiny.