EA’s Black Panther Game Can Easily Outdo Marvel’s Spider-Man in One Way

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EA's Black Panther Game Can Easily Outdo Marvel's Spider-Man in One Way

Highlights

  • EA’s Black Panther game could draw inspiration from Marvel’s Spider-Man series, but also has the potential to surpass it.
  • Black Panther’s game can introduce pacing breaks without the controversial MJ missions, by exploring other characters like Okoye or Shuri.
  • While Marvel’s Spider-Man’s MJ missions were divisive, EA’s Black Panther game has a chance to implement similar breaks more effectively.

As a longtime gamer with a deep appreciation for superhero games, I’m excitedly anticipating EA and Cliffhanger’s upcoming Black Panther game. Having spent countless hours exploring the open-worlds of Spider-Man games, I can’t help but draw comparisons between the two titles. However, while Marvel’s Spider-Man series has certainly set the bar high, I believe EA’s Black Panther has the potential to surpass it in some aspects.

As an avid gamer, I’m excitedly waiting for more information about the long-anticipated Black Panther game developed by EA and Cliffhanger. Announced in July 2023, details are scarce, but we do know it’s a single-player action-adventure title with an open-world Wakanda setting for exploration. With such limited information available, the possibilities seem endless, leaving room for inspiration from some fantastic superhero games that have come before.

Naturally, one of Black Panther’s most obvious sources of inspiration would be Insomniac’s Spider-Man series. Making its debut in 2018, there are now three games under Marvel’s Spider-Man‘s belt, all of which capture the core essence of the superhero’s identity while exploring new routes and putting fresh spins on classic villains and comic arcs. Gameplay-wise, Insomniac’s Spider-Man series continues to outdo itself, with each new entry improving upon an already excellent traversal and combat system. There’s a lot EA’s Black Panther can learn from Marvel’s Spider-Man, but there’s also one area in which it can easily surpass its inspiration.

EA’s Black Panther Can Easily Outdo Spider-Man’s MJ Missions

Spider-Man’s MJ Missions Have Always Been Divisive

The most debated feature of “Marvel’s Spider-Man” is undeniably its Mary Jane Watson-centric missions. In the original game, these interludes occurred frequently throughout the campaign, compelling players to momentarily abandon their role as Spider-Man and assume that of MJ, an investigative journalist in this narrative, who’s on the trail of a fresh story. These segments involve brief stealth sequences where players must creep past adversaries, using surrounding objects to divert their attention.

In Insomniac’s game design for “Spider-Man,” interspersing MJ and some Miles Morales stealth missions serves the purpose of varying the game’s intensity. By introducing these segments, players are given a respite from continuous Spidey action, preventing monotony or player fatigue. Nevertheless, upon the game’s release in 2018, these missions sparked debate among players.

In the original “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” the pacing was essential, but the MJ missions noticeably slowed things down. The entertainment derived from these missions didn’t compare to the excitement of swinging through New York City and encountering villains. In the sequel, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” the developers chose to reintroduce MJ missions, significantly enhancing them with new stealth elements that seamlessly integrated into the gameplay experience. While these improvements made the MJ missions less tedious, they nonetheless disrupted the overall thrill of the game a bit excessively.

Black Panther’s ‘MJ Missions’ Can Be Much Better

The Black Panther game from EA and Cliffhanger could introduce brief interludes where players take control of other characters, enhancing the experience without causing controversy like Spider-Man’s MJ missions. This approach maintains a consistent level of excitement throughout the game by providing short stints in different perspectives.

It’s fortunate that two Black Panther characters can effectively contribute to EA’s game. Okoye from the Dora Milaje, a member of Black Panther’s elite bodyguards, would bring an alternative combat experience to the game, adding variety and maintaining player engagement. Shuri, the brilliant inventor and tech genius, would introduce yet another distinct style of action gameplay with her advanced weaponry.

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2024-07-21 15:34