Marvel's Avengers is releasing its newest downloadable-content and expansion pack this Tuesday, and it brings Black Panther and Wakanda to the game. Since Black Panther's official announcement, fans have been speculating about what the character's playstyle might look like in Marvel's Avengers. Because of the immense popularity of the MCU in general, fans have come to expect an iteration that closely resembles the MCU's now-iconic interpretation of the Wakandan prince-turned-king.
Now, players have been given a glimpse of Black Panther's gameplay in Marvel's Avengers. Brief gameplay footage for Black Panther has been showcased in the lush jungles of Wakanda, depicting unique attack animations against the new enemy faction tied to Ulysses Klaue. But fans of the MCU and its interpretation of Black Panther will undoubtedly notice that Marvel's Avengers is taking some clear inspiration from one of the films that T'Challa appeared in..
BeansWereHere acknowledges that one of Black Panther's attacks in Marvel's Avengers appears nearly identical to the move that his live-action MCU counterpart performs in 2016's Captain America: Civil War. The particular animation consists of three spinning kicks being performed while mid-air before Black Panther lands from a single jump. In Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther executes the spinning mid-air triple kick against Captain America himself, who defends each kick with his shield. BeansWereHere goes as far as to portray both attacks in a single clip for a side-by-side comparison, and the resemblance is unmistakable between both iterations of Black Panther.
However, fans are questioning whether the move has been implemented well in terms of combat design. Black Panther awkwardly lands the attack on an enemy who is already downed, yet suffers damage from the player's hitbox nonetheless. The animation appears to be attributed to one of the character's sprinting attacks, where it only activates off the end of a sprint. Fans suggest that Black Panther's attacks in Marvel's Avengers look weightless as a result. Of course, Black Panther and the War for Wakanda expansion have not yet released, so it is possible that these concerns may be quashed in time for launch.
Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix have only just recently started to release some MCU-inspired cosmetics in Marvel's Avengers, with fans having requested them since launch. While some of Black Panther's stylish animations from the MCU are being adapted into Marvel's Avengers, fans are already hoping to see the Wakandan king's MCU suits at some point, too. Though Marvel's Avengers exists as its own continuity apart from other source material, fans clearly enjoy seeing references to the comic books and blockbuster film adaptations in the game.
Marvel's Avengers is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
