EA’s Black Panther Game Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Follow in The MCU’s Footsteps

EA is putting its own spin on the Marvel franchise with its mysterious Black Panther game. Being developed by EA’s new studio, Cliffhanger Games, there are many questions about what direction the developer will take with Black Panther. The game will definitely want to stand on its own apart from the MCU, but it doesn’t have to discount the films completely.

At the moment, EA is currently working on three different Marvel games, and Black Panther is one of the most intriguing of the trio. Not only is the character incredibly compelling, but reports of the game being set in an open world could be a thrilling way to explore Wakanda. The game is a long way off, but Black Panther has a deep well of source material from both comics and the MCU films, and the game shouldn’t be afraid to look to the latter for inspiration, especially with its villains.

The Black Panther Game Should Embrace Parts of the MCU

It makes sense that EA will want to set the Black Panther game apart from the movie adaptations, but there are great features and characters showcased in these films that would be right at home in the project. Marvel games have made mistakes in the past, and the biggest misstep Black Panther can make is to ignore some of the best characters many have been introduced to through the movies.

The Antagonists of Black Panther

Some of the most compelling villains to come to the MCU have been tied to Black Panther. Killmonger, Ulysses Klaue, and Namor were introduced to many viewers for the first time who aren’t familiar with the Black Panther’s Marvel Comics canon outside the films. It’s highly likely that EA will be aiming to create a unique Black Panther interpretation, which will allow the company and Cliffhanger Games to take familiar faces from the movies and make them standalone adaptations.

Any urge to set the Black Panther game apart from the MCU needs to be met with a desire to keep a similar essence as the movies while wanting to offer something fresh. Steering away from the aforementioned trio of villains as a way to present a fresh story may not be the best way to do so. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is already offering a new take on Black Panther, so EA may best benefit from sticking closer to the hero’s MCU adversaries.

The Black Panther game’s suggested open world also offers the chance for multiple villains to take the stage in the story. Killmonger, Klaue, and Namor may be some of the most obvious options overall, but they are also some of the strongest choices. Many Marvel fans now have a familiarity with the characters, and adding a twist to antagonists who have audience recognition could be a solid approach to loosely tying EA’s game to the MCU, at least in spirit.

More News About Black Panther Remains on the Horizon

Since the game was announced last year, there is still very little known about EA’s Black Panther. If it’s pulled off correctly, the game has a lot of potential, but it may be the wrong move to steer too far away from what so many Marvel viewers have become familiar with. Yes, the game needs to be unique, but bringing exciting twists to already established characters in the MCU may be the best way to get things started for EA’s attempt at a potential extended game universe.

The three biggest villains to be featured in Black Panther’s storyline in the MCU have long comic canon histories that are perfect to experiment with in a video game setting. EA shying away from Killmonger, Klaue, and Namor just because they have already been shown could keep this game adaptation from exploring some compelling characters in new lights.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Released

September 7, 2018

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat

18 Hours

Metascore

87

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