It may be a while before fans learn more about Skydance’s untitled Marvel game. The little that fans do know is that it will be a single-player game set during Marvel’s alternate World War 2 and feature four playable protagonists. Marvel fans will need no introduction to Black Panther and Captain America, but fans may not be as familiar with Gabriel Jones or Nanali. Both characters are important to Marvel lore and are fascinating choices for the game’s third and fourth protagonists, but Gabriel being playable means that another important sidekick will not be: James “Bucky” Barnes.

It is unknown how instrumental Gabe will be in Skydance’s Marvel game, and his role may be appropriately significant and beloved when more is learned. However, in choosing Gabriel over any other potential characters, there will always be a missed opportunity on Skydance’s part. Bucky Barnes is quintessential to Captain America, and may still be a part of Skydance’s Marvel game. But because of how important Bucky is, it is disappointing that he will not be a playable protagonist alongside Cap.

RELATED: Marvel and Skydance Working on World War 2 Game with Captain America and Black Panther

Bucky Barnes Would Have Made Sense as a Playable Sidekick

Bucky-Barnes

Skydance’s Marvel game seems to be following comic book source material more closely than expected based upon its protagonist selections. This creates some implications for what might occur in the game’s narrative.

The newly announced Marvel game will have some interesting comic book character interactions to make use of, such as a romance depicted between Nanali and Azzuri. Moreover, James Buchanan Barnes is the close confidant and sidekick of Steve Rogers’ Captain America in comic book source material as well.

Unfortunately, he was not chosen to be a playable protagonist, with Gabriel Jones fulfilling that spot instead. Skydance likely has a reason for this, and Gabriel may turn out to be a wonderful protagonist, but it seems like the perfect opportunity to have Cap and Bucky feature as a playable dynamic duo. This does not rule out a Bucky appearance entirely, but it means he may only seen as an NPC.

Perhaps Bucky is an NPC companion who players only see when they play as Captain America, maybe even in circumstances like God of War’s Atreus, where Bucky could be controlled as an extension of Captain America. That said, not making Bucky a playable protagonist could be a choice that may lead into something more satisfying.

Introducing Bucky Could Lead to a Winter Soldier Origin

604904ccbe402

It is unclear whether a game with such a niche setting could have sequel potential. However, if it does, Bucky’s role could be much more substantial. Even if Bucky is not playable, the game’s narrative could include him up until his supposed death. Then, he could reappear in the future as the Winter Soldier after getting a cybernetic arm and being brainwashed as an assassin. The Winter Soldier has become aptly popular due to his appearance in the MCU, and fans will see Bucky next in Marvel’s Avengers.

Skydance may not wish to rehash that narrative, and may instead want to concentrate on the escalating tensions between both of its two starkly opposite worlds in the 1940s, and how they are both dealing with hostile occupations. Still, since Skydance’s Marvel game is an original narrative, it would be exciting to see the Winter Soldier appear as an antagonist for either Captain America or Black Panther.

Only having Bucky make referential appearances would be fine if Skydance doesn't want to emphasize his character, but since he is so crucial in early Captain America tales it seems nonsensical to omit him entirely. Skydance will have this to work around either way, and it will be interesting to see how Bucky’s character is integrated in the upcoming single-player game, if at all.

Skydance’s Marvel game is in development.

MORE: What Skydance’s Marvel Game Can Learn from The Last of Us 2’s Multiple Protagonists