Marvel has seen a tremendous amount of success with some of its gaming ventures over the last few years, and it hopes to continue that high pedigree with the upcomingMarvel’s Wolverinefrom Insomniac Games. Insomniac has already demonstrated its superhero video game talents withMarvel’s Spider-Manand theMiles Moralesfollow-up, and many fans are hoping it can strike gold once again with everyone’s favorite adamantium-clawed mutant. Even with only one teaser trailer,Marvel’s Wolverineis rife with potential and anticipation.
For many fans of the character, the primary hope is thatMarvel’s Wolverinewill have an M rating befitting Logan’s violent tendencies and destructive potential. Rumors suggestInsomniac is pursuing an M rating forWolverine, and if these hopes are realized, it could open the door for other Marvel heroes to get a mature video game that fully demonstrates their brutality. Among the long list of available Marvel characters, the one that would be the perfect follow-up to a mature Wolverine game is the Punisher.
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The Punisher’s Video Game History
The Punisher is no stranger to video game adaptations, but gamers would be forgiven for not knowing it. The last timeFrank Castle, the Punisher, received a solo title was 2009’sThe Punisher: No Mercy, developed by Zen Studios and released exclusively on the PS3. The character’s most memorable gaming venture came before that, however, in the form of 2005’sThe Punisher.This game greatly echoed titles likeManhuntand other ultra-violent games of the time with its unrelenting violence and gruesome interrogation sequences.
Since the release of the Punisher’s last gaming venture, Frank Castle has been relegated to a supporting role in Marvel team-up games. The character has made appearances in theUltimate Allianceseries,Marvel vs. Capcom, and he’s even been transformed into adorable LEGO brick form inLEGO Marvel Superheroes.There haven’t been any genuine efforts to give the Punisher another solo adventure in over ten years, butMarvel’s Wolverineand Frank Castle’s recent exposure to a wider audience could change all of that.
The Door Is Opening For A New Punisher Game
With the development ofMarvel’s Wolverine, the Punisher may have an opportunity to finally get a modern video game adaptation. While most film and video game depictions of Wolverine have been largely bloodless, the comic book industry and its various connected parts have shown a greater willingness to get gory with its biggest heroes. Fans only have to look as far asthe Wolverine filmLoganto see how a truly violent depiction of the gruff Canadian can succeed. Shows like Netflix’sDaredevilseries andThe Punisherfurther reinforce how more audiences are open to adult comic content.
The one area that comics content has yet to embrace a mature tone is the video game space. There’s been some indication that thecontroversialSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguecould be showing gamers a more violent experience than they may be used to, and ifWolverinesucceeds in doing the same, Marvel would have all the reason it needs to bring the Punisher into the gaming limelight. With theDead SpaceandResident Evil 4remakes showing how sensationally graphic modern shooters can be, it would be a missed opportunity to not give Frank Castle the same chance.
The Punisher as a character has been riding pretty high compared to his comic antihero contemporaries. Jon Bernthal’s memorable portrayal of Frank Castle is still fresh in the minds of many Marvel fans, and reports thatthe Punisher will feature in the Disney+Daredevil: Born Againserieshave only cemented his legacy. If the studio is willing to bring such an explicit character to its family-friendly streaming platform, then it only seems right to give the Punisher a proper modern video game.
Marvel’s Wolverineis currently in development for the PS5.
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