Summary
Marvel’s Bladewas announced at the end of 2023 at The Game Awards, adding another project to the long list of iconic Marvel Comics characters getting new game adaptations. There has been a Marvel Comics renaissance in gaming, andMarvel’s Bladelooks to be an exciting dark direction from developer Arkane.
At the moment, there isn’t a lot of information known aboutMarvel’s Blade, but the titular vampire slayer will find himself in Paris, France.Speculation aboutMarvel’s Bladehas been spreading since the game’s announcement, but it seems like the project may be further away from release than many have hoped for. As the wait continues,Marvel’s Wolverineby Insomniac could be the perfect game to take note of while Arkane works on bringing Marvel’s beloved vampire hunter to life.
Arkane Looking to Insomniac’s Wolverine Game For Inspiration
Wolverine and Blade Share Many Parallels
Marvel Comics is filled with a diverse roster of characters, but some of the most compelling are found in its antiheroes. This is what makes Blade and Wolverine so fascinating, because their stories are filled with moral gray areas instead of the straightforward quest for righteousness that many superheroes strive for.Marvel games are quickly taking overin the action genre, and it will be fascinating to see how these characters will be adapted in a new light.
Soon after it was announced, rumors began circulating thatMarvel’s Blademay not be released until 2027. This has yet to be confirmed, but if this is the case, Insomniac’sWolverinetitle will prove whether its approach to a lone wolf character works or not, since it’s expected to arrive in 2025 or 2026. Depending on how the reception toMarvel’s Wolverinegoes, Arkane could use the response to Insomniac’s work as a blueprint on what needs to be fixed and what works well withMarvel’s Blade.
Both characters are brutal and don’t mind getting violent. Insomniac did a great job of showcasing Spider-Man’s focus on protecting New York City without being overly brutal, butWolverine’s iconic Adamantium clawsmake his method of combat far more bloody and deadly. This will be a big change to Insomniac’s approach to combat, and Blade’s fighting mechanics will be in a similar boat. Wolverine and Blade mostly focus on their weapons of choice, the former being claws and the latter being a sword, which leaves Insomniac and Arkane with the task of keeping combat from feeling repetitive. OnceMarvel’s Wolverinereleases, Arkane can have a much better understanding of what works combat-wise without the use of many gadgets, likeMarvel’s Spider-Man.
Marvel’s Blade and Wolverine Could Shake Things Up
Foregoing Spider-Man’s Formula
Insomniac really brought itsSpider-Manseries to life with its adaptation of Peter Parker and Miles Morales, but the same mechanics won’t work for characters like Wolverine and Blade.Marvel characters with limited arsenalscould actually present themselves as a fantastic change of pace if pulled off correctly. Although the excitement for both games is palpable,Marvel’s Wolverinewill essentially be a test run for more simplified mechanics, unless Insomniac makes a drastic change to Wolverine’s fighting style.
Despite there only being a teaser trailer revealed,Marvel’s Bladehas the chance to be one of the more unique entries inthe upcoming Marvel games. From EA’sIronmantoMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, studios are clearly thinking outside the box with their Marvel adaptations, and that’s intriguing. However, the character of Blade still has the benefit of being a truly standout name in Marvel canon, andMarvel’s Wolverinewill hopefully pave the way for Arkane to turnMarvel’s Bladeinto a success.
