Insomniac Dev says Marvel’s Wolverine backlash is a “relentless onslaught” that harms developers’ mental health

With Marvel’s Wolverine just weeks away from its September 15 release, Insomniac Games is facing an unusually intense wave of social media criticism. Viral clips mocking the PS5 game’s combat and presentation have spread rapidly across X, prompting James Stevenson, Insomniac’s Director of Community and Marketing, to question how developers should engage with the platform.

Stevenson addressed the situation directly after several gameplay clips were widely shared online. His comments focused less on defending individual gameplay sequences and more on the effect that constant online negativity can have on developers.

James Stevenson calls the Wolverine criticism an online “relentless onslaught”

In a post on X, Stevenson argued that the platform’s algorithm can create a distorted impression of how people actually feel about a game. He said the system “amplifies and forces negativity” and admitted that the situation has made him reconsider whether developers should be encouraged to use the platform.

“It’s a relentless onslaught that I cannot believe is good for anyone’s mental health nor representative,”

Stevenson wrote. His comments also highlighted the disparity between the viral criticism and the generally positive reception from early previews.

Much of the recent backlash centers on short clips from Marvel’s Wolverine that have been presented as evidence that its gameplay is outdated or repetitive. One widely circulated comparison places a Sentinel encounter alongside footage from the PS2 game Ben 10: Protector of Earth, while other posts mock Wolverine’s traversal and combat animations.

However, the online response does not necessarily reflect the broader reception of the game. A recent hands-on preview from GamesRadar+ praised the game for giving Wolverine a distinct identity through heavier combat, darker storytelling and its Rage system.

The criticism has arrived alongside wider frustration surrounding PlayStation, including backlash over Sony’s approach to physical game releases. As a result, some of the negativity directed at Marvel’s Wolverine may be connected to broader dissatisfaction rather than the game alone.

Insomniac, meanwhile, continues to promote the title ahead of launch. PlayStation has confirmed that Marvel’s Wolverine will release exclusively on PS5 on September 15, 2026, with the game featuring Logan’s globetrotting adventure and appearances from characters including Jean Grey, Mystique, and Sabretooth.