Summary
After delighting gamers with itsDead Spaceremake, EA Motive has proven it could deliver anIron Mangame that meets expectations, especially in light ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s fanfare. EA Motive masterfully executed the 2008 survival horror’s remake, improving the graphics and gameplay mechanics and subtly enhancing the linear story aboard theUSG Ishimura. With the apparent success of linear progression and story-focused level design in the title, even with open-world mechanics dominating the gaming scene, there’s some wonder about what a linearIron Mangame would look like.
Dead Spacefeatured a couple of changes from the original, using the Frostbite Engine and rebuilding all its systems from scratch, keeping the title up to date with the current video game landscape. The developer expanded on the settings of the USG Ishimura, featuring the traditional scary lighting and atmospheric elements with a few more subtle additions, like new textures. All these eerie elements in the spaceship setDead Space’s narrative up magnificently, making players feel like an Engineer on a survival mission as they uncover the mysteries of the Ishimura, and with officialconfirmation of its development, EA Motive’sIron Mancould toe a similar line.
RELATED:EA’s Iron Man Should Draw Inspiration from a Mortal Kombat 1 Character’s Lavish Lifestyle
A Linear Approach to Iron Man Would Be a Refreshing Experience
EA Motive’sIron Manwould likely want to replicate the gameplay immersion featured inDead Space, and with the aid of Unreal Engine 5, the developer has the chance to deliver an exceptional leveled experience. For instance,Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxyhas received numerous plaudits for its plot quality, as even with a simple gameplay design, the dialogue choices and levels kept players engaged.Iron Mancould replicate these aspects of the game, with Tony Stark stuck in large facilities akin to the levels in the USG Ishimura andGuardians of the Galaxy. The facilities could make up an open-ended series of maps, allowing possibilities to backtrack to unlock collectibles and other rewards.
A linear approach to storytelling could featureIron Man’s origin story, something that hasn’t been revisited enough in movies or comics, with players possibly watching him grow from an emotionally troubled young genius to a playboy and finally the hero he eventually becomes. The earlier parts of his life could be short prologues, adding some depth to Motive’s portrayal of the hero.
Consequently, armor progression would also be a fine addition to the game. Similarly to the gradual upgrade system used inDead Spacefor Isaac’s armor, gamers could see Tony going from the Mark One armor to his more recent nanotech suit closer to the classic Iron Man design. The weapons progression could work linearly as well, with Tony unlocking new weapons as well as upgrading previously gained weapons; he could also have the ability to scale all attributes and skills with suit upgrades.
The game could feature collectibleIron Manskins like Insomniac’sMarvel’s Spider-Man, wherePeter and Miles don multiple Suits. Motive’s success with flying mechanics could also shine through in theIron Mangame, considering the fast-paced fights inStar Wars: Squadronsand the improvements in the zero-G gameplay inDead Space. Motive has a history of making in-game flight mechanics exciting to use, and given the strengths of a character like Iron Man, it’s imperative to get the dynamic right.
Clever levels taking Tony to the streets or even outer space could implement aerial dog fights where he has to face his enemies while flying, making for exciting gameplay for players. Aside from combat, there could also be specific in-game modes or levels that utilize theIron Mansuit’s flight capabilities to solve puzzles and advance through tricky environments. Motive could go in several directions for the game as it is still in pre-production. However, given Olivier Proulx’s presence on the team and his past connection toMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, a linearIron Mangame is very possible.
Iron Manis currently in development.
MORE:Why Dead Space Fans Should Keep an Eye on EA Motive’s Next Game
