A Revolutionary Mix: How EA's Black Panther Game Can Blend Jedi's Survivor Element for Unbelievable Thrills
EA's upcoming Black Panther game should take notes from Jedi Survivor's open-ended environments, creating a perfect backdrop for exploring Black Panther's powers and the vast scale of Wakanda
Highlights
Marvel is venturing further into the realm of video games, spearheaded by the highly anticipated Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and prominent publishers such as EA are also joining the fray. Of particular interest is EA's project centered around Black Panther.Cliffhanger Games, the studio responsible for Marvel's Black Panther, has the potential to create an extraordinary open-world environment akin to the immersive setting found in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. This would enable players to delve into Wakanda, unveiling its enigmatic secrets.
Instead of a single expansive world, it would be ideal to have multiple smaller zones, similar to those found in the Jedi: Survivor planet Koboh.
With the silver screen already dominated by Marvel for most of the 2010s, the focus is now shifting towards video games, and Marvel has an impressive lineup of titles on the horizon. Leading the charge is Marvel's Spider-Man 2, but other major publishers are also eager to have their share of the pie. EA has joined in with Marvel's Iron Man, and the recent confirmation of Marvel's Black Panther adds to the excitement. Black Panther, a beloved character among comic book fans and now a household name due to the success of the MCU film featuring the late Chadwick Boseman, is the perfect choice for a standalone game.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's Open-Ended Environments
Insomniac's collaboration with the webhead has set an incredibly high standard for future Marvel-based video games. However, the talent behind Marvel's Black Panther is already showing great promise. Cliffhanger Games, led by Kevin Stephens (previously worked on Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor), is ready to take the gaming industry by storm. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, the studio can draw inspiration from a fellow EA release on how to effectively navigate the open world environment that T'Challa will be exploring.
Jedi Survivor took the solid foundation established by Fallen Order in 2019 and elevated it to new heights. The game made significant improvements in various aspects, particularly when it came to the immersive environments. While Fallen Order already boasted extensive levels that encouraged thorough exploration, Survivor surpasses it by far. The vastness of planets like Koboh and Jedha alone is greater than the combined size of most locations in Fallen Order.
Players revisit these locations multiple times throughout the adventure, with previously locked or unreachable areas now accessible thanks to a new Force power or piece of gear. This ensures a smooth gameplay experience, challenging players to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to unveil the wonders these immersive worlds in the Star Wars galaxy have to offer. Additionally, this dynamic approach breathes life into the locations themselves, as they exude authenticity with their abundant enigmas, diverse inhabitants, and hidden treasures waiting to be unearthed.
Black Panther's Powers and Wakanda's Scale
It has been confirmed by Cliffhanger Games that Marvel's Black Panther will be set in a vast open world. Considering the immense success of similar games featuring characters like Spider-Man and Batman, it is only natural for the studio to strive for that same enchantment. However, unlike these iconic superheroes, Black Panther does not possess comparable abilities or advanced technology, making his rapid traversal through an unknown terrain a unique challenge.
Instead of a vast open world environment, it would be safer to create a large, interconnected world with open areas reminiscent of Jedi Survivor for Black Panther. The jungle setting would be perfect for showcasing his acrobatic abilities and stealth prowess. Players would have the thrill of leaping between tree branches, using vines as swings, and strategically ambushing enemies from hidden spots. The game should be centered around his unique skill set to make exploring the locations even more rewarding.
Additionally, Wakanda offers a more creative opportunity compared to cities like Gotham or New York City. While those cities are urban environments with towering skyscrapers, Wakanda can be designed in a multitude of ways. Along with including a city section, similar to Koboh in Jedi Survivor, the game can feature diverse ecosystems such as a dense jungle, a swamp area, and underground tunnels. These varied environments would require different navigation tactics, keeping the gameplay interesting and distinct for the player.
Marvel's Black Panther is currently in development.
