LEGO: Marvel's Avengers Classic Black Panther character and level pack was released this week, just in time for Black Panther's cinematic debut in Captain America: Civil War. It's a solid addition to an already fan-service filled game, and one that also serves as a great introduction for those new to the hero.
The nefarious mercenary known as Klaw has barricaded himself inside a temple dedicated to the Panther god, as Klaw's men wreak havoc across Wakanda. It's up to Black Panther and his spear-wielding sister Shuri to stop him. Along the way players will perform all the usual LEGO game tasks: collecting studs, acquiring minikits, saving Stan Lee, performing basic puzzles and mashing the attack button to bust enemy goons into tiny LEGO bits.
As far as LEGO levels go, it's nothing particularly remarkable, though Marvel fans will get a treat at seeing Wakanda brought to life in brick form. Developer TT manages to capture the feel of an advanced nation that is still traditional in many ways, with numerous panther god statues and banners hanging throughout the environment. Everything in Wakanda is seemingly panther-themed, even the monorail that Black Panther and Shuri ride at one point to reach Klaw. A couple of new puzzles make their debut here in the form of "line up the pipes" and "match these icons" minigames.
Nothing too crazy, but it gets the job done and at least keeps the gameplay fresh for those who've played more than a few LEGO games over the years. But more so than simply being an extra level for fans to play through, this DLC works better as an introduction to the character of T'Challa and his supporting cast than anything else.
Black Panther narrates the 15-20 minute-long level, chiming in regularly, especially during boss battles. It's a nice touch that lets players new to the character get a better understanding of his analytical mindset. He speaks highly of his sister's prowess in battle as well as her intellect. He remarks on his opponent's strategies and carelessness during boss battles, which helps players both understand the character better while also receiving clues on what to do next in-game.
"As our battle continued, our danger rose ever greater," he chimes at one point during the final battle with Klaw. "Wounded prey always fights hardest before the end."
Little additions like that go a long way, and is something fans will no doubt appreciate. Of course, this being a TT LEGO game, there are some goofy moments as well. The game certainly plays up the cat nature of his character, with Black Panther even skulking around on all fours when walking slowly.
Paying money for a single 15-minute level might not sound like a great deal, but you get a few extras as well. The pack adds Black Panther, Shuri, White Wolf, Klaw, Blacknight, Killmonger, a Dora Milaje warrior and M'Baku the man-ape for players to mess around with in free roam mode, as well as a Black Panther-themed vehicle.
Note that the "classic" part of the DLC's title refers to this being the classic look of the character, so don't expect to find a version of his Civil War costume here (that's found in the PlayStation exclusive Civil War character pack). This version of Black Panther sports golden claws and a high-collared cape, a far cry from his sleek new look in the movie. You can check out a few images of the characters in-game below.
All in all, the LEGO: Marvel's Avengers Black Panther DLC is a great way for younger fans who aren't familiar with the king of Wakanda to get introduced ahead of his appearance in Civil War. It's a fun, short-and-sweet bonus level with an extra splash of character that would be more than welcome in the main game. Plus, who doesn't want to run around New York City as M'Baku the man-ape?
The Classic Black Panther DLC is available standalone for $2.99 or comes as part of the game's $10 season pass. You can read our full review of LEGO: Marvel's Avengers here, and be sure to check out our guides on how to find all the characters from The Defenders and Young Avengers.
