Currently, very little official information is known about EA’sBlack Panthergame, as the company has been tight-lipped about the project since its announcement in 2023. However, a leaker has recently provided insight into the game, which is being developed by new studio Cliffhanger. A number of interesting tidbits appeared online, including the usage of an over-the-shoulder perspective, real-world African martial arts, and choices that have a significant impact on the narrative. Players will even be able to choose their ownBlack Panther, with options ranging from Shuri and T’Challa to M’Baku and Killmonger.
While Cliffhanger’sBlack Pantherproject certainly sounds ambitious, it is not the only love Wakanda’s king has received in the world of video games. An appearance inFortnite, a leading role in the upcomingMarvel 1943, and his own expansion forMarvel’s Avengersare all recent outings for the character. While T’Challa was simply one of manyMarvel characters unlockable withinFortnite, and the jury is still out onMarvel 1943’s Azzuri since it has yet to release, players fully experiencedMarvel’s Avengers' free War for Wakanda DLC years ago. It had its share of pros and cons, but fortunately, one of its flaws - environmental variety - will apparently not be shared by Cliffhanger’sBlack Panther.
War For Wakanda’s Lack of Environmental Variety Held it Back
While War for Wakanda offered inspired performances fromKratos actor Christopher Judgeand the always-passionate Debra Wilson, it continued the game’s struggles with environmental variety. Every mission took place within Wakanda’s jungle, and while said jungle was visually stunning thanks to its temples and foliage, it felt like players barely got to scratch the surface of the fictional country. The final level of the expansion’s story even showcased the city in the distance as players fought to keep Klaw from breaking the Vibranium shield protecting it, taunting players with a flashy environment they never got to see up close. Considering that Wakanda has become one ofMarvel’s most memorable locations, this was a genuine shame, so it’s good news that - if leaks are to be believed - EA’s singleplayer Black Panther title will apparently be dodging this criticism completely.
The only peak at Wakanda’s modern architecture came from a throne room hub area. While interesting, players never got a chance to fight within the city’s buildings or on its streets.
EA’s Black Panther Game Will Likely Showcase Wakanda’s Full Potential
As part of a large batch of leaks from@TheGhostOfHope, Black Panther fans were given the reassuring news that they will see more of Wakanda than just its jungle. Specifically, the leaker - who is known for regularly sharing early and accurate info ontheCall of Dutyseries- stated that players will get to explore “cities” and “savannahs” with “unique cultures and characters.” This brief description is extremely promising, as it suggests that there will be a healthy mixture of environments and interesting NPCs to interact with inside of them. The savannahs could be home to plenty of wildlife and can take advantage of Black Panther’s super-speed, while the cities in particular could fill a voidMarvel’s Avengersleft empty.
Assuming that this information is accurate, gamers will not be staring longingly at the Wakandan cityscape like they did inMarvel’s Avengers. Being able to ascend afrofuturistic buildings with T’Challa’s claws should allow for some exciting traversal opportunities, and seeing all the impressive tech designed by the Wakandans is something no adaptation of the character should miss out on. Though the MCU will be exploring its version of Wakanda further through theEyes of Wakandaanimated series, Cliffhanger can put its own spin on this setting and cover more ground than a live-action adaptation ever could. By letting players inspect everything from museums and markets to labs and homes, while also offering combat opportunities within the city itself, EA’sBlack Panthergame could thoroughly cover the parts of Wakanda thatMarvel’s Avengersmissed out on.
