How Insomniac Games Can Get Back On Track
Marvel’s Wolverine has recently launched to generally mixed reviews, with both critics and gamers pointing to areas where the game could be improved. To their credit, Insomniac Games is actively listening to feedback and changing certain aspects of the game based on these complaints. However, certain aspects cannot be fixed with a simple patch.
As someone who is still willing to give Wolverine a chance, it is unfortunate to see the less-than-stellar reception the studio’s latest projects have received. Insomniac, a studio once known for its innovation in gameplay and iconic characters, has increasingly been labeled a “Marvel game slop machine” by many fans. Today, I would like to discuss how Insomniac could do right by their fans and restore some of the goodwill they had during the Spider-Man (2018) and Miles Morales era.
RETURN TO RATCHET AND CLANK
While it may seem hard to believe, it has been FIVE YEARS since Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart was released exclusively for the PS5. Unfortunately, according to leaked plans, Insomniac has no intention of returning to the series until 2029 at the earliest. This means there will be an eight-year gap between entries of the series. Although Insomniac’s workload has increased since the PS2 era (along with game development time increasing across the board), the studio was able to release four mainline games in the series for that console across the span of four years!
On top of that, all four entries were generally well-received by critics and fans alike. There was clearly an audience for the series then, and Rift Apart’s performance suggests that interest is still strong. Granted, the schedule Insomniac maintained in the PS2 era is practically impossible to maintain today with the PS5. Still, showing some more love to the series that made Insomniac a household name would certainly help the studio’s reception with fans.
PRODUCE LESS SUPERHERO GAMES
For many, quality matters more than quantity. Each major superhero-themed release since Spider-Man 2018 and Miles Morales has met increasingly mixed feedback from fans online, while Insomniac’s budgets only increase. Although many still enjoy Spider-Man 2’s gameplay (which even I believe to be stronger than 2018), the game was unfortunately let down by a weak, rushed, and generally bare-bones story. The negative sentiment towards the story only increased after Insomniac decided to cancel the game’s planned DLC, which even included a dedicated Carnage storyline.
At this point, it is clear that many would prefer Insomniac to focus on polishing and improving one or two main projects, rather than getting a few good/memorable moments spread out across multiple projects. The answer isn’t necessarily changing the size/scope of future projects. Rather, each game deserves its own clear and unique identity while ensuring that the scope supports that identity. This concept will make more sense with my final point.
AIM FOR STRONGER GAME DIRECTION
A common criticism of Insomniac’s recent projects has been a lack of strong game direction. This feels especially confusing when Insomniac was previously known for its tight, fluid, and cohesive experiences. To many, Spider-Man 2’s scope felt unfocused, jumbled, and padded. Conversely, many feel Wolverine suffers from an overly linear scope and hand-holding gameplay. With both of these games, it is clear that neither had their true visions fully realized.
In the case of Wolverine, the replacement of the game’s original director in 2024 raises questions about how much the project’s direction was altered during development. For Insomniac to succeed with their plans for future Marvel Games, they will need to evaluate their studio structure and review the development philosophy that made them so successful in the first place.
Fans do not want bloated and undercooked open worlds. They also do not want extremely restrictive and linear gameplay. Rather, Insomniac should try to make the scope of their next experience somewhere between these two extremes. More focus should also be put on the narrative and world/character design, aspects of their games that have constantly been criticized.
In conclusion, I think it is technically possible for Insomniac to restore goodwill with fans. If the studio continues to patch Wolverine and strengthens the game direction of their next project, those efforts could begin to rebuild that goodwill. Insomniac is a studio with genuinely talented developers who have previously delivered highly enjoyable experiences. Unfortunately, it seems like their latest projects have lacked the cohesion to stand out as much as their previous work.
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