Forget Rivals, How About Marvel Give Us A Good Avengers Game Already?

In a gaming landscape saturated with battle royales and hero shooters, Marvel’s upcoming 6v6 Hero Shooter, Marvel Rivals, seems to be facing an uphill battle. Revealed as an Overwatch-style hero shooter, players argue that it lacks innovation and fails to ignite interest. This prompts a larger question: why won’t Marvel give us the Avengers game we’ve all been waiting for?

Marvel Has A Lot More To Offer

When Marvel announced Marvel Rivals, the anticipation was palpable. Fans of the Marvel Universe, gamers, and critics alike were eager to see what fresh take Marvel would bring to the gaming industry. However, the excitement quickly turned to disappointment. The gameplay revealed a formulaic approach, heavily borrowing from the well-trodden path of games like Overwatch and Valorant.

The primary criticism is the apparent lack of innovation. The hero shooter genre, while still somewhat popular, has seen numerous iterations that have exhausted its novelty. Players are growing tired of the same old mechanics: choose a hero with a set of abilities, engage in team-based objectives, and repeat ad nauseam. 

Without a unique hook or fresh gameplay mechanics, Rivals risks being just another face in the crowd. This isn’t a dig at the hero shooter genre either. It’s just that Marvel has so many better options available.

Moreover, the decision to stick with the 6v6 format feels uninspired. Games like Overwatch set a high bar. Without significant innovation, new entries into the genre struggle to capture sustained player interest.

With the initial reaction to Rivals being predominantly negative, it’s clear that players are craving something more than a rehash of existing formulas. Besides, in my humblest of opinions, the genre peaked at Team Fortress 2.

Overwatch 2 when this drops pic.twitter.com/DRbfRUDxJV

— cleyy (@cleyyreloaded) March 27, 2024

The Missteps Of The First Avengers Game

Marvel’s previous foray into gaming with Marvel’s Avengers, developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix, also failed to meet expectations. Released in 2020, the game was hyped as a blockbuster experience that would let players step into the shoes of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. However, the reality was far from what was promised.

Avengers was plagued by numerous issues right from the start. The game launched with a slew of bugs, technical issues, and performance problems that marred the experience. Even beyond the technical shortcomings, the core gameplay loop felt repetitive and uninspired. The missions quickly became monotonous, with little variety or depth to keep players engaged over the long term.

Additionally, the game’s live-service model, with its reliance on grind-heavy mechanics and a lackluster endgame, failed to retain player interest. The repetitive nature of missions and the absence of meaningful content updates led to a rapid decline in the player base. Fans who were excited about the potential of playing as their favorite Avengers were left feeling disappointed and disillusioned.

No new content or features will be added to ‘MARVEL’S AVENGERS’ from March 31.

All official support for the game will end on September 30.

(Source: https://t.co/dGXm7viWP9) pic.twitter.com/HPFVZLStba

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 20, 2023

The True Avengers Experience

The recurring theme in the criticisms of both Rivals and Avengers is a lack of innovation and depth. Marvel’s vast universe is rich with diverse characters, intricate storylines, and epic battles. It offers a treasure trove of possibilities for an engaging and immersive gaming experience. So, why settle for mediocrity? You literally have thousands of storylines to choose from, it shouldn’t be that hard to come up with a good plot.

Marvel needs to rethink its approach to gaming. There’s no need to follow trends and recycle worn-out genres. The focus should be on creating a game that truly captures the essence of the Avengers. Imagine an open-world RPG where players can explore iconic Marvel locations, engage in dynamic and meaningful missions, and experience a compelling narrative that weaves together the stories of their favorite heroes.

Such a game should prioritize storytelling, character development, and immersive gameplay. Marvel’s strength lies in its rich lore and beloved characters, and a successful Avengers game should leverage these strengths. Players should feel a connection to the heroes they control, with each character offering a unique playstyle and abilities that reflect their personalities and powers.

The Potential Of An Avengers Game Done Right

A well-crafted Avengers game could do more than just entertain; it could set a new standard for superhero games. They could easily draw inspiration from successful titles like Insomniac’s Spider-Man games. Each of those games were praised for its engaging story, fluid gameplay, and faithful adaptation of the source material. With that as a reference, Marvel could create an experience that resonates with both fans and gamers.

Imagine a game where you can switch seamlessly between heroes, tackling different missions that play to their strengths. Picture a narrative that evolves based on player choices, leading to multiple endings and replayability. Consider the excitement of cooperative multiplayer modes that allow friends to team up and take on iconic villains in epic battles. The technology and talent to bring such a vision to life exists. What’s needed is the ambition and creative direction to strive for something truly extraordinary.

Saw this post on Twitter and found it intriguing. What do you guys think? Do you want Marvel’s Avengers to get a sequel? What would you like to see in it?
byu/AncientSpidey101 inPlayAvengers

Conclusion

Marvel has the potential to revolutionize the gaming landscape. It may have fallen short once, but that instance serves as a valuable lesson in what not to do.

By focusing on innovation, storytelling, and a deep connection to the source material, Marvel can deliver a game that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of fans and gamers alike. It’s time to aim for an Avengers game that truly does Earth’s Mightiest Heroes justice.