Electronic Arts recently announced that its new studio, Cliffhanger Games, is making a new Marvel action-adventure, Black Panther, which got me thinking about other Marvel characters who deserve a solo game. We have Wolverine to look forward to and we’ve already enjoyed games like Marvel’s Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy but several other characters are perfect for the video game treatment.
9. Ant-Man
I enjoy the “little man big world” trope that we see in games like Grounded, It Takes Two, and surprisingly, God of War Ragnarok. It never gets old to look around and see everyday objects towering above you. Ant-Man is the perfect character to embrace this trope and take it to new heights. His connection with ants would also lend itself to an imaginative mechanic for traversal and combat. You could ride on an ant for faster travel, send a swarm of ants to attack an enemy, or even utilize them for flight.
One of the most fascinating aspects, to me, is the combat. I envision a scale similar to Shadow of the Colossus or God of War 3, where you climb on humans and deliver punches to their faces. The twist is that Ant-Man can also become giant, so certain scenes would see you towering above your enemies and the environment, resulting in a dynamic shift in gameplay. Ant-Man would fit well in a wide, linear action-adventure game with puzzle mechanics that incorporate all of his powers for navigation—for example, shrinking to pass through gaps or building bridges with ants, and so on.
8. Doctor Strange
To be honest, I don’t know much about Doctor Strange, but I do know that his array of powers would lend themselves to visually stunning and dimension-hopping gameplay. Let’s explore some of his abilities and see how they could be translated into a video game. One of the most common powers showcased in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the use of portals. He can traverse across the world by creating portals and even send objects and humans through them. This alone opens up numerous gameplay possibilities, such as fast travel, instant teleportation during combat, and the ability to summon objects.
Other powers could have a significant impact on combat, such as conjuring magical shields, employing a magical whip to tether enemies, and casting magical projectiles. One of the most fascinating possibilities is time manipulation, where he could slow down or reverse time amidst combat or within puzzles. Beyond the combat aspect of gameplay, perhaps the most intriguing possibility lies in the exploration of other realms or dimensions. Doctor Strange could venture into the mirror dimension, dark dimension, and others, creating surreal and magical environments to explore.
7. Jean Grey
Wolverine often takes the spotlight when it comes to X-Men heroes, but Jean Grey is also an important and powerful member with an intriguing and melancholic storyline. Firstly, her telepathy and telekinesis powers would lend themselves to exciting combat mechanics reminiscent of the Force powers of the Jedi. She can create energy-based weapons, which could serve as melee options in combat. Perhaps, a weapon wheel could be implemented, allowing players to choose from a variety of weapons. If players prefer not to engage in direct combat, they could utilize telepathy to confuse enemies, make them fight each other, or accomplish specific tasks. Additionally, telekinesis could be used to pick up objects and throw enemies around like ragdolls.
Jean Grey also possesses the dark and powerful force of the Phoenix within her. When the Phoenix is manifested, she becomes virtually unstoppable, capable of instantly destroying her enemies and warping reality itself. The storyline could focus on her complex relationship with the other X-Men as she learns about the Phoenix and attempts to control its immense power. However, at certain points, the Phoenix could manifest, providing players with an incredible power fantasy while simultaneously highlighting the melancholy aspect of her character as she inadvertently hurts those she cares about.
6. Captain America (Sam Wilson)
Steve Rogers’ Captain America has had a surprisingly good game, Captain America: Super Soldier, but it’s time for Sam Wilson to take the reins. Originally the Falcon, Sam Wilson took on the role of Captain America, combining technological flight capabilities with an indestructible frisbee-like shield. The storyline could begin after Wilson assumes the mantle of Captain America, as he confronts the likes of Hydra in a political thriller filled with mystery and espionage.
I envision the combat taking inspiration from the Arkham games, featuring a brutal, counter-focused gameplay style. Captain America would utilize his wings in combat for tactical advantages and maneuvering, while the shield would be a key component in both close-quarters and ranged combat. Additionally, Wilson’s drone could be utilized for scouting areas or silently eliminating enemies from a distance. This game could take place in an open-world setting, allowing players to fly around a city and assist its citizens.
5. Silver Surfer
Some people would clamor for a Fantastic Four game, and while that would be enjoyable, I’m personally more intrigued by a character who often serves as a pure-hearted force of destruction. The Silver Surfer serves the planet-eating entity known as Galactus and scouts new planets for him to consume. However, the silver-clad Surfer frequently defies his master and aids planets in avoiding consumption. He is a complex and paradoxically kind-hearted being. The video game potential of playing as a cosmic being like him is boundless.
I envision an open world set in space, where players can traverse the vast and breathtaking cosmos, visiting different planets. The game’s storyline would revolve around initially working for Galactus but ultimately betraying and battling him to defend a planet. The Silver Surfer is immensely powerful, having triumphed over some of the mightiest beings in the Marvel Universe. The combat mechanics would showcase his extraordinary abilities as he soars through the air on his board, unleashes beams of energy, and manipulates matter to his advantage.
4. Thanos
We all know Thanos as the Mad Titan who seeks the Infinity Stones in order to eliminate half of life and impress the embodiment of death. However, instead of casting him as the typical big bad or final boss, I would be interested in a game that presents his perspective. The storyline would delve into his life, exploring his motivations, with the primary objectives centered around collecting the Infinity Stones. It would be a planet-hopping treasure hunt where players must overcome obstacles and engage in battles against both iconic and lesser-known Marvel characters to obtain each stone.
As players collect them, they would unlock new powers, providing a constant sense of power progression and incentive. Some expected powers or upgrades would include enhanced strength and damage amplification through the Power Gem, the ability to manipulate time with the Time Gem, increased speed and mobility via the Space Gem, and eventually profound reality-altering abilities and the ability to control souls. Throughout the journey of gathering these gems, players would develop a love-hate relationship with the Titan as they gain an understanding of his reasoning while questioning his actions. This would create a complex and intriguing relationship between the player and the character.
3. Daredevil
The Man Without Fear is one of my favorite Marvel characters for so many reasons: his kindhearted personality, his relationship with religion, his brutality, his day job, and, of course, his powers. Daredevil is blind; however, all of his other senses, such as taste, smell, touch, and hearing, are heightened exponentially. He is also a master of martial arts and acrobatics, making him a formidable threat to the criminals of Hell’s Kitchen, his primary stomping grounds.
A video game could capitalize on his enhanced reflexes through a slow-motion mechanic, and he could navigate the world through fluid and flashy parkour. As for the genre, fans would love a dark and gritty open world set in Hell’s Kitchen. The Kingpin could serve as the main antagonist, as Daredevil unravels the mystery of his criminal activities. Lastly, since Daredevil’s day job is as a lawyer, we could witness some intense legal drama and maybe even incorporate gameplay in the courtroom.
2. Moon Knight
Moon Knight, once an under-the-radar character, has now found the spotlight thanks to the Disney Plus show. The character is imbued with the essence of the Egyptian moon god, Konshu, who granted him powers and birthed a Dissociative Identity disorder. It’s a truly complex and mystical character that could lend itself to an emotionally deep and fantastical video game. The game would have a dark tone, with our protagonist hunting criminals at night, drawing strength from the moon.
Moon Knight’s different personalities could manifest in unique attributes during combat. For example, one personality might engage in brutal and terrifyingly aggressive takedowns, while another exhibits a more whimsical style, defeating enemies in creative ways. Perhaps the game would incorporate mind-bending sequences, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. An experience that respectively delves deep into the psyche of Moon Knight and fully utilizes his abilities could provide a trippy and emotionally complex experience that plays with the very concept of reality.
1. Storm
Behind Wolverine and maybe Cyclops, Storm is one of the most well-known members of the X-Men. She is also one of the most powerful, possessing the ability to manipulate the weather. It is the gameplay possibilities of this power that initially drew me to Storm. In combat, she could shoot electricity from her fingertips, summon lightning from the sky, blast enemies away with powerful winds, create destructive tornadoes, and even freeze her foes. Additionally, she could manipulate the weather to her advantage, freezing water to create a path or increasing heat to melt obstacles. The options for both combat and navigation are truly limitless.
In terms of traversal, Storm can soar through the skies by harnessing the power of the wind or even riding on a lightning bolt. The story could take various forms, exploring Storm’s origins and her adventures in the Savage Land, delving into her time with the X-Men, or even delving into her involvement with the Avengers. The latter option would be particularly interesting, as it could introduce an Avengers vs. X-Men storyline, with boss battles featuring prominent members of the X-Men team. This would add an intriguing dynamic to the narrative and provide thrilling encounters throughout.
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Includes several titles.
Which was showcased at E3 2003.