Marvel’s Avengersis steadily becoming a better game, but it is hard to deny that it still has a long way to go. While the next-gen versions of the game look great and run well, missions remain repetitive and enemy variety is still limited. Likewise, while more exciting cosmetic itemssuch as Superior Iron Manand Maestro Hulk are starting to release, the rework for unlockable cosmetics has not yet been added. Though the game is in a better place than it was at launch, it still has a long way to go.
Both Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics have claimed that the plan to saveMarvel’s Avengersrelies entirely on free DLC content. While this is a fine strategy, and it could prove successful if handled correctly, these updates need to be consistent. If not, players will have no reason to stick with the struggling “games as a service” title, moving on to something else in that same genre instead. If Crystal Dynamics can giveMarvel’s Avengersfans something to look forward to on a monthly basis, though, the game’s future will become brighter.
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The Issue With The Releases Thus Far
Thus far, the biggest issue with the game’s new content releases is the slowness with which they have arrived. While this is understandable to an extent, as Crystal Dynamics had to spend several months fixing the game’s bugs and performance problems,Marvel’s Avengersplayers have been forced to be incredibly patient. Kate Bishop’s DLC released back in December, and it proved to be the last major content release added to the gameuntil Clint Barton arrivedin March.
A three-month gap between hero releases would normally be fine, but the major flaw is that all the game’s new missions and locations have been tied to these hero stories. While this makes every hero’s release exciting, as it allows players to see them in cutscenes and spend time learning their movesets, the wait between these releases is grueling. While players were given a new hero to level up in Kate Bishop, finishing her story led toMarvel’s Avengersfansbeing stuck replaying the same content until the original Hawkeye made his debut.
WhileMarvel’s Avengersplayers may have had a good time playing Kate’s DLC, they had no reason to stick with the game until her mentor was added. If Crystal Dynamics is not careful, the same could happen afterHawkeye’s Future Imperfect Operation, with players deleting the game and ignoring it until Black Panther arrives. While the hero releases are handled well and always seem to bring players back, the current struggleMarvel’s Avengersis going through is that it is failing to keep gamers invested during the downtime between fresh character additions.
The Potential Of The Roadmap
While players are seemingly looking at an even bigger window between the release of Hawkeye and Black Panther than there was for Kate Bishop and Hawkeye, it may not feel nearly as long. It seems like Crystal Dynamics is properly adjusting its strategy to keep players interested, with aroadmap released forMarvel’s Avengers. In this roadmap, players are being given several good reasons to stick with the game as it continues its journey toward recovery.
Via proper events like Tachyon Anomaly and Red Room Takeover,Marvel’s Avengersfans are getting some meaningful content before War for Wakanda comes to the game. While there is plenty of potential for even more exciting and ambitious events than these, this is a strong start, and it only gets better due tothe heavily requestedMCUskinsfinally starting to release through the Red Room Takeover. Hopefully, this consistency will continue going forward, as limited time events are always a big draw for online games. With a Villain Sector also coming in the summer time to add some much-needed boss variety to the game, things are looking up thanks to the roadmap.
A Wasteland Patrol modeis also coming this summer, giving players aDestiny-like free roam option that adds an entirely different style of gameplay toMarvel’s Avengers. All this content is coming separate from a hero DLC, with more updates that are not depicted on the roadmap supposedly on the way as well. All this content is welcome, and it is exactly what the game needs to be doing to find success, as it sees players loading up the game at least once a month to see whatever new addition has been made. The open communication is great to see as well, and it will hopefully continue going forward.
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Speeding Things Up In 2022
Marvel’s Avengersis facing tough competitionin 2022, as bothGotham KnightsandSuicide Squad: Kill The Justice Leaguewill be making their debuts. The pair of four player co-op superhero games fill the exact same void asMarvel’s Avengers, and with the games sharing a genre, there is going to be some intense competition amongst them. To keep the fight close and to truly stand a chance at keeping players attention, Crystal Dynamics needs to make bigger strides and updates for the game.
Marvel’s Avengersneeds a new main villain that is not AIM. While theWar for Wakanda expansionwill be adding Klaw to the mix, he is a one-off threat that will surely be dealt with by T’Challa and the other members of The Avengers. Once he is gone, bringing in a heavy hitter like a Thanos, Doctor Doom, Kang, Loki, or Galactus will be a must. Players need a new big bad to clash with, and they need to have the power to bring a faction that can be used in all the DLC releases for Season 2 of the game. Adding an iconic antagonist would spark discussion for the game, and it is exactly what will need to happen to help restore the game.
From there,Marvel’s Avengersneeds to continue the current roadmap system.More Villain Sectorsbeing added frequently would be great, even if they are random villains from the rogues’ gallery of Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor. Events need to remain prevalent so that Crystal Dynamics can add themed cosmetics and experiment with new forms of gameplay. Patrol modes can come for any fresh Marvel locations that are added, giving them some extra life. If all of this comes at a monthly rate, and this pattern continues in 2022 and beyond,Marvel’s Avengersmight just be able to live up to all its potential.
Marvel’s Avengersis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
