The Ultimate Guide: Unleashing the Black Panther Game's Untapped Potential

Marvel, having been in the video game industry for over 40 years, has surprisingly never released a game solely focused on Black Panther. Despite his presence in various Marvel media since his introduction in 1966, it wasn't until the 2018 MCU film Black Panther that the character rose to immense popularity. However, after a few years, Black Panther is finally getting his own video game. The game is being published by EA and developed by Cliffhanger Games, a new studio that boasts experienced developers from renowned titles such as Call of Duty, Halo, and God of War. Leading the team is Kevin Stephens, formerly of Monolith Productions, the creators behind the acclaimed Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel. While the Black Panther game will undoubtedly have its unique elements, it may take inspiration from the successful features of Shadow of Mordor.

What EA's Black Panther Game Should Take From Shadow of Mordor

Monolith's Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor was an outstanding action-adventure game, while its sequel Shadow of War came close to matching its brilliance but was hindered by predatory microtransactions. Upon reflecting on these games, nearly a decade after the release of the first installment, it becomes evident that there remains immense potential. Numerous mechanics and features from these games could seamlessly transition into EA and Cliffhanger's Black Panther game.

The most significant contribution Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor could offer Black Panther lies in its combat system. Drawing heavy inspiration from Batman: Arkham's Freeflow system, Shadow of Mordor's combat encompasses attacks, dodges, and counters, all executed with just three straightforward button inputs. Timing serves as a crucial element in Shadow of Mordor's combat, rewarding players with incredibly lengthy combo streaks for precise button inputs, thus enabling them to unleash brutal executions and special moves. While Shadow of Mordor's combat is easily accessible, it demands skillful mastering, making it the ideal combat style to incorporate into a Black Panther game.

Black Panther showcases remarkable athleticism as a superhero. His fighting style in various comics and Marvel media involves agile lunges and leaps, using his athleticism to disorient opponents before swiftly attacking and moving on to the next target. To encapsulate this style, a combat system similar to the Freeflow mechanics in Shadow of Mordor would be ideal. This system would allow players to vault over enemies, strike them from behind, leap away, and employ gadgets to finish them off.

Another aspect of Shadow of Mordor that Black Panther could draw inspiration from is the significance of its setting. In Shadow of Mordor, the volcanic realm plays a pivotal role in both the game's story and gameplay, almost becoming a character in its own right. Similarly, in a Black Panther game, it is crucial to fully realize the setting of Wakanda, which is likely the most important location. Fortunately, it appears that Cliffhanger Games is fully aware of this. Kevin Stephens from Cliffhanger Games emphasizes in the game's initial press release that the team is committed to crafting an "authentic Black Panther experience," and this includes creating a vibrant superhero playground in Wakanda.

Cliffhanger Games' Black Panther is currently in development.