Skip to content

MARVEL’S AVENGERS

Written By:

Joel Harley
Marvel_s_Avengers

PLATFORM: PC, PS4 (REVIEWED), XBOX ONE | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

At last, eight years after assembling for the first time on the big screen, The Avengers make their big console gaming debut. Sure, there have been Lego games and strategy games and fighting games before now, but Marvel’s Avengers aims to do for Earth’s mightiest heroes what the Arkham games did for Batman.

More than that, this game also serves as an introduction to one Kamala Khan – the inimitable Ms. Marvel. The story follows Kamala on her journey from doe-eyed fangirl to Inhuman Avenger, rubbing shoulders with the big guns. Although gameplay alternates between all of the main characters, the bulk of the story goes to Kamala. With the Avengers disassembled following a humiliating defeat five years ago (sound familiar?), it’s up to the new girl to get the gang back together. And it’s a treat watching Kamala interact with the more established superheroes – particularly her friendship with Troy Baker’s softly-spoken, gentle take on Bruce Banner. Sure, she can be annoying at times, but aren’t all teenagers?

The story itself is solid and worthy of the franchise. Although markedly different from their MCU counterparts, our heroes look incredible – especially when in movement and combat. The game does a great job of establishing six distinctive play styles for its heroes, not skimping on any of the signature moves. It’s a shame then, that the gameplay is that of an unsophisticated button-masher. There’s little finesse or skill required, although some may be distracted by the overly busy arenas and swarms of identikit enemies. It’s disappointingly ugly; the core gameplay repetitive and messy. It’s so heavy with glitches that it feels, at times, broken (make friends with your PS4’s restart button, you’ll be using it a lot). There’s little excuse for the game feeling this unfinished when its main campaign is so short. Most seasoned gamers should complete it in a matter of hours.

But then, the campaign is a secondary concern – Square Enix’s real endgame is its Destiny-esque online mode, featuring daily missions, objectives and campaigns. Players will work with various factions to complete daily objectives, grinding to level up the characters and earn better gear. Cap doesn’t get his first decent outfit until Level 50 – and the main campaign finishes with all characters somewhere around Level 9 or 10. The core looting mechanic sits ill-at-ease with the Avengers themselves; there’s nothing less Hulk-like than pausing mid-Smash to open some chests or put on a protective bracelet.

Marvel’s Avengers is a frustrating experience. It’s a great introduction to Kamala Khan, with a memorable villain in MODOK. Its main story is engaging and exciting, if hampered by samey level design and repetitive gameplay. It’s also far too short and tacked onto a horrible model which prioritises microtransactions and daily faffing over actual Avenging. While it does do some things well, this is the most disappointing release of the year. Stick with the Lego.

Joel Harley

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More