In what was admittedly a brief CGI teaser for Skydance’s ensembleMarvelgame, it has been confirmed that fans will play as Azzuri’s Black Panther and Steve Rogers’ Captain America, as well as Gabriel Jones, a Howling Commandos soldier, and Nanali, the Wakandan Spy Network’s leader. It is unclear what genre this untitled Marvel game falls into; whether it is a single-player experience, a two- or four-player co-op experience, or some other iteration on online multiplayer. Regardless, the shot at anew Black Pantherand Captain America team-up is promising.
Skydance’s untitled Marvel ensemble will be met with speculation until more is shared. Ensemble, team-oriented superhero games have been popular lately, though there is unsure footing where a couple of them have been introduced. For example,Marvel’s AvengersandMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxyhave now been shelved indefinitely, and DC has its own ensemble games arriving soon that will either enshrine the ensemble style or discourage it further. Considering Skydance’s untitled Marvel game is now in the mix, DC seems to be its top competition.
RELATED:Marvel and Skydance Working on World War 2 Game With Captain America and Black Panther
DC Now Leads the Charge in Superhero Ensemble Games
Due to several studios getting redistributed, Marvel seemed to have dropped out of the superhero ensemble genre for the time being.Skydance’s Black Panther and Captain America gameis the exception, though it is unlikely to release for the foreseeable future as not even a title was shared at the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase.
Before Skydance’s Marvel game releases,Gotham KnightsandSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguewill have had their day in the sun. Either DC title may present itself as a blueprint for ensemble superhero games to follow, or as a template for what not to follow, but Skydance’sMarvelgame is likely far enough in development at this point that it has made its own design decisions regardless ofGotham KnightsandSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s ideas.
Still, Skydance’s Marvel game will be met with comparison to these DC titles because of how recent they will be in players’ memories. IfGotham Knights’ leisurely approach to online co-op is successful, fans will want the same experience to be offered elsewhere. Moreover, bothGotham KnightsandSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguehave the option for fans to play entirely in single-player and enjoy each character in their ensembles individually.
Skydance’s Marvel Game Can Go One of Two Ways With its Ensemble Gameplay
It will be difficult for Skydance’s Marvel game to avoid comparison to other superhero ensemble games as an inevitable byproduct of this growing trend. Insomniac seems to lead the standalone superhero genre withtheMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchiseand the upcomingMarvel’s Wolverine,but comparisons can be made there too. If it’s single-player, the Black Panther and Captain America epic set during WW2 could rival Insomniac with its own narrative-driven blockbuster, but with four playable characters. Playing as each character throughout the events of the game could provide a succinct single-player experience.
However, it is unclear if Skydance wants to juggle so many playable protagonists. Players may have the option to play in single-player with pseudo-control over other characters, such as inMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Indeed,Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxywas nearly the exceptionto Marvel’s unfortunate ensemble outings before its IP was sold, since its formula of a purely single-player experience with simple input commands for its ensemble companions was highly favorable. Otherwise, any number of co-op options may be the play. How Skydance handles this ensemble cast of characters will be interesting to see, but it may be a long while before fans hear more about the newly confirmed Marvel game.
Skydance’sMarvelgame is in development.
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