Reclaiming the Iron Throne: How EA’s Iron Man Rises Above the MCU

Highlights

EA's upcoming untitled Iron Man game is exciting considering the developer's success with the Dead Space remake.

The Iron Man rogues' gallery was not thoroughly explored in the MCU, leaving an opportunity for EA Motive to create a distinctive game. The game's focus would be on Tony Stark as the main character and his relationships, providing fans with a story-driven adventure solely centered around Iron Man.

Currently, there is a lack of clarity around superhero-related games and what fans can expect from them, aside from Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. While several exciting games have been announced, such as Monolith's Wonder Woman, Insomniac's Marvel's Wolverine, and a Skydance game featuring Black Panther and Captain America set in WW2, it will likely be some time before detailed information is shared about them. Similarly, there is high anticipation for two upcoming EA projects: a Black Panther game and an Iron Man game.

Both the untitled AAA Iron Man game and the Dead Space remake developer's involvement have generated immense excitement. Speculations abound regarding various aspects of the game like its chosen timeline in Tony Stark's life, the potential setting in Marvel's New York City or an EA Motive's original location, and the inclusion of captivating adversaries. Moreover, for EA Motive to establish a distinct identity for this game, breaking free from the MCU's influence is necessary, especially since the movies have barely explored Iron Man's diverse assortment of foes.

The MCU Failed to Truly Represent Iron Man Villains

Iron Man possesses the most peculiar array of adversaries among all Marvel superheroes, varying in obscurity, intimidation, and relevance. As a prime example, the Mandarin stands as his formidable and iconic arch-nemesis. However, he also encounters lesser-known antagonists like Blizzard, Spymaster, or Controller, who remain unfamiliar to many fans.

It is challenging to determine why many of these villains are specifically associated with Iron Man, as there are few thematic similarities that make sense in a hero-villain pairing. In contrast, most of Spider-Man's villains are themed after animals, which aligns with Spider-Man's own quirks. The only Iron Man villains that share a similar theme are individuals in armored suits and sentient or automated drones, which has not been as effective or interesting.

The MCU did make an effort to adapt Iron Man's most notable villains, but given the limited options, there is still room for improvement in EA Motive's Iron Man game. Even the villains that appear in the MCU lack a distinct tone, such as the Mandarin in Iron Man 3. EA Motive should have no trouble improving upon the adaptation of each of these antagonists.

EA’s Iron Man Game Needs to Establish Tony Stark Before Other Marvel Characters

Most importantly, the Iron Man game should make Stark the focal point and emphasize his relationships as crucial to the story. While the MCU's Iron Man trilogy has divided fans, it is undeniable that Robert Downey Jr.'s captivating presence shone in ensemble movies, both before and after each Iron Man installment. Consequently, EA Motive's best approach would be to temporarily remove Stark from other Marvel characters and offer fans an adventure driven by a captivating story exclusively featuring him. This would provide a fresh experience that MCU fans have been missing for some time.

Similar to Marvel's Spider-Man, EA Motive's Iron Man game can delve into the Marvel universe and take the time to develop its central character. By allowing fans to separate Stark from the wise-cracking portrayal they have grown accustomed to in the MCU and games like Marvel's Avengers and Marvel's Midnight Suns, the game can introduce iconic villains in a new and exciting interpretation. This would pave the way for a much-needed reinvention of the character.

An Iron Man game from EA Motive is currently in development.