Marvel’s Avengers fans have been waiting a long time to see War for Wakanda in action, as the expansion was announced months ago. With nothing said since its reveal, the wait has been a tough one for fans, as many are hoping that the expansion would save Marvel’s Avengers. While it is unclear if it will be able to this, it has finally been shown, and gamers can get an idea of what they can expect from Black Panther’s DLC.

While the new trailer for the game showed off some exciting cinematics and setup an intriguing story with Klaw, one thing that should have become immediately clear to Marvel’s Avengers fans is just how similar the DLC looks to the MCU movie. Crystal Dynamics has clearly taken a lot of inspiration from the live action version of the character, and this is hardly a bad thing. After all, the movie was beloved by comic fans and general audiences alike, so pulling from it heavily could guarantee the DLC’s success. It could also give fans the chance to embody a version of T’Challa that is a lot like Chadwick Boseman’s, something that many should be able to appreciate.

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The Similarities Between Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther And The MCU’s Black Panther

marvels avengers black panther dlc war for wakanda shuri

When looking at the similarities to the MCU, analyzing the man himself seems like the right place to start. Marvel’s Avengers’ take on Black Panther’s suit is nearly identical to the movies, as his Vibranium armor glows purple when he takes hits. If it continues to pull from the film, one of Black Panther’s abilities will likely see him discharging the kinetic energy to deal some damage of his own. Aside from his suit being so similar, the in-game version of T’Challa seems to have a similar personality to that of his on-screen counterpart.

Those around T’Challa have very similar designs, too, as Black Panther’s sister Shuri rocks the exact same hairstyle as the one in the MCU. Also shown to be a technical expert, this take on Shuri should feel familiar. The same can be said for the Dora Milaje, as the fierce women keep have the same bald heads, intricate armor designs, and spear-based weapons. Finally, there is Zuri, T’Challa’s mentor from the film. He too has a similar past to the one shown in the movie, as he has served under many Black Panthers. His outfit is identical as well. With all T’Challa’s allies looking and acting the same, Marvel fans should be able to perfectly transition from watching the movie to playing the game.

Even Klaw, the main villain of Black Panther’s DLC, is a lot like the one in the film. He wears a similar safari outfit before switching to a version of his comic book attire at the end of the trailer, and his goal of stealing Vibranium should seem familiar to fans. On top of this, Wakanda itself looks just like the one from the MCU, with certain areas looking almost identical. Specifically, T’Challa’s throne room and the temple where Black Panther speaks to Zuri are almost exact recreations of the MCU versions. Even the visuals for the technology resemble the ones from the film, with Shuri shown interacting with a digital panel. While this speaks to just how well the movie brought the country of Wakanda to life, it also shows that Crystal Dynamics is no longer shying away from the movies.

What Else Could Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther Take From The MCU Version?

marvels avengers black panther klaw

Considering that so much is being taken from Black Panther’s MCU appearances, it would not be surprising if there were even more inspirations that have not yet been shown. These include abilities like the Kimoyo beads as well as appearances from characters like M’Baku, both of which might resemble the versions that fans have already fallen in love with. This could extend to vehicles like the airships as well, with Wakanda’s rhinos also being possibilities for the game.

From a story perspective, Klaw could be working for a higher power than himself, with the villain taking orders from another character. Given how much is being taken from the movie’s visual style, its story could be pulled from as well. The DLC has promised “new villains,” and with the plural form of the word being used, it can be expected that at least one other boss could appear. Popular antagonist Erik Killmonger seems like a great choice, as he was one of the big highlights of the 2018 film. If this connection is to be kept alive, he could have a similar foal of usurping T’Challa, with Klaw being used to distract the King or bring Killmonger Vibranium for his plan.

Klaw trying to steal the country’s precious resource is nothing new, as it has been his main motivation in the comics for decades. However, with the similarities to the movie in terms of character design and world design, it would not be too shocking if War for Wakanda saw Klaw’s ties to Killmonger strengthened. This is purely speculation, though, as Klaw could very well be the main antagonist of the DLC. Even if the similarities stop at a visual design level and T’Challa’s costume, though, Marvel’s Avengers will be seeing the same tone and style.

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Why Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther Being So Much Like The MCU’s Is A Good Thing

Black Panther Wakanda Forever scene

While some may be a bit disappointed that Crystal Dynamics is taking a movie-inspired approach as opposed to a comic-inspired one, most should be satisfied. After all, it is the movie that truly put the Black Panther character on the map, with many loving that specific interpretation of Wakanda and T’Challa. While director Ryan Coogler will be continuing to explore that world through his future MCU projects, the game will seemingly be giving fans a chance to see it in a whole new way.

With the movie doing so much right, and so many people loving it, giving fans that same experience in video game form is smart. Not only is it more likely to make the DLC a success, but it gives fans more time with the versions of the characters that they already love. While taking bigger risks on new versions of Shuri, Klaw, and T’Challa would have been interesting, a lot of good can come from pulling from the live action versions. By doing this, fans can pick up where the story left off, imagining the game as a continuation of T'Challa's MCU story.

Given the tragic passing of actor Chadwick Boseman, fans will never get to see what was planned for his character in the MCU. However, the in-game version of Black Panther being like the movie’s gives fans a chance to imagine what could have been. While it will certainly not be the same as Boseman himself, fans can still embody a version of T’Challa that is similar. As such, fans can use the game to continue his story, spending time with an experienced version of the king that will sadly never appear in the MCU. The similarities prove that the MCU features the best take on Black Panther, and the same can be said for Boseman’s T’Challa. Crystal Dynamics could be giving fans an easier way to honor his legacy in War for Wakanda, ensuring that fans never forget his performance or impact. Because of this, this Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther feeling so familiar is a positive rather than a negative.

Marvel’s Avengers is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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