Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics have combined to create one of the most enjoyable superhero games ever and one of the more enjoyable gaming experiences of 2020. In Marvel’s Avengers players are introduced to Kamala Khan, a huge Avengers fan who is invited to be a Fan Fiction finalist and VIP at the massive A Day Convention in San Francisco.

What starts as a celebration for the famed heroes soon turns tragic and the game picks up five years late in a world where the Avengers and Heroes are no more. A corporation known as AIM has acquired Stark Industries and maintains their version of law and order through specialized forces as robotic Synths. It is revealed that a reactor powered by a new source was to blame for the A Day disaster and it has created Inhumans as a result.

Kamala finds herself able to stretch her body and upon learning that things on A Day were not as the world has been set to believe sets off with AIM hot on her heels to unlock the clues and save the Avengers.

Along the way players will play as several of the iconic characters and will encounter group missions where players may be matched online or assigned A.I. companions.

Each character has their own unique skills and timed special abilities which recharge after use and can be a game-changer as enemies become more numerous and difficult.

Each of the characters also have their own combat moves and abilities ranging from ranged attacks to close quarters combat. While The Hulk can throw objects; he is better suited to get in close and mix things up. Iron Man, while capable of delivering punches, is better used flying, hovering and blasting everything he encounters.

Part of the joy of the game, aside from the engaging story, is learning new ways to defeat enemies including some team based body slams and other enjoyable moves. Players are based on a Helicarrier and there are plenty of things to explore and naturally numerous cosmetics, upgrades, and such which players can obtain via looting or at many of the vendors they encounter.

Missions are assigned via a War Table and players have the option to select campaign specific missions or to mix in some side missions as well. Upon completion of the main game, players will have the opportunity to play more side and extra missions and can use a Quick Match open to play with other players as well.

There were a few glitches along the way on my PC build but while a bit annoying a first they became less frequent as the game went along. Some people may have issues with the look of the characters as Tony Stark for example looked to me more like a young Ben Affleck than Robert Downey Jr. but with so many interpretations of the characters over the years this is a minor issue as I was enveloped by the gameplay quickly.

Missions are enjoyable and the timed jump sequences are not unreasonable and players looking for a challenge will be able to adjust the game difficulty to a setting that best suits their style of play.

I first played the game at an invite only meeting during PAX West 2019 and after getting some gameplay time, the developers outlined to us some of the long-term plans for the game from new characters and cosmetics and so on. The game sets up further adventures well and I found myself enjoying the game and characters from starts to finish. The game does a great job establishing Kamala and building her character while giving players plenty of time as the classic Avengers and has more than a few nice surprises along the way.

4 stars out of 5

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