Marvel's Avengers

About Marvel's Avengers

Marvel's Avengers is an action-RPG with hack-and-slash combat developed by Eidos Montréal and published by Square Enix. Released in September 2020, it spans PS4, PC, Xbox, and cloud platforms. The story centers on Kamala Khan, a teen gaining powers during a catastrophic event called A-Day, which fractures the Avengers. Players control multiple heroes, including Kamala, Iron Man, and Thor, each with distinct abilities. The campaign follows Kamala’s efforts to rebuild the team while battling a science-driven antagonist group, AIM. Set in a modern Marvel universe, the game blends solo and co-op missions, with a focus on team dynamics and character-driven narratives. It’s a mix of narrative-heavy moments and combat-focused gameplay, aiming to balance superhero storytelling with multiplayer accessibility.

Gameplay

The core loop alternates between single-player story missions and co-op challenges. Players start with Kamala, gradually unlocking heroes like Iron Man and Black Widow through story progression. Each hero has unique skill trees, Hulk’s smash-heavy attacks contrast with Iron Man’s tech-based combos. Combat mixes quick dodges, context-sensitive abilities, and over-the-top finishers. Missions often involve clearing hordes of enemies while completing set objectives, like defending a location or dismantling a facility. Co-op missions scale difficulty with player count, requiring coordination for boss fights. Side quests include collectibles and optional upgrades. The game prioritizes fast-paced action but sometimes falters in pacing, with repetitive enemy encounters. Controls are responsive, but the UI feels cluttered during skill upgrades.

What Players Think

Community reception is polarized. IGDB averages 66.4/100, with critics praising visuals and co-op but criticizing the script and gameplay repetition. PlayPile users report an average playtime of 25, 30 hours for the main story, though completionists spend up to 50+ hours. Completion rates hover around 60%, with many players abandoning due to tedious side content. Moods range from “disappointed” over narrative inconsistencies to “fun” for co-op modes. Review snippets highlight “okay combat but bloated with filler” and “a missed opportunity for superhero storytelling.” Achievement data shows 70% completion for most players, with rare unlocks requiring side quest farming.

PlayPile's Take

Marvel’s Avengers is best for fans of co-op action and Marvel lore, but its flawed execution limits appeal. The $39.99 price tag feels steep given the lackluster single-player campaign and repetitive combat. Achievements aren’t particularly challenging, with 70% completion common. While the multiplayer missions offer solid team-based fun, the story’s weak writing and technical hiccups make it hard to recommend wholeheartedly. Stick with it if you enjoy superhero team-ups, but don’t expect a deep or rewarding solo experience.

Storyline

Marvel’s Avengers begins at A-Day, as San Francisco celebrates the opening of an Avengers West Coast Headquarters and an all-new helicarrier, powered by new experimental technology. The day turns tragic when a terrible accident results in mass destruction. Blamed for the tragedy, the Avengers disband. Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and Thor blame themselves for the mass devastation and the loss of Captain America. In the five years following A-Day, the team’s absence has devastating consequences worldwide. A new organization has risen - Advanced Idea Mechanics, otherwise known as AIM. AIM believes that science – not Super Heroes – is the key to protecting the world. A teenager Kamala finds herself developing extraordinary polymorphic and healing powers as a direct result of exposure to Terrigen Mists during the A-day incident. With the Avengers disbanded and Advanced Idea Mechanics turning public sentiment against Super Heroes, Kamala hides her abilities from the world. Kamala’s unwavering loyalty to the Avengers, intelligence, inquisitive nature, and ever-optimistic personality lead to a huge discovery when she uncovers a shocking conspiracy. As Kamala learns to harness and embrace her powers, she finds the will and the way to reassemble Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.