Ever since its official premiere at E3, Square Enix’s Marvel’s Avengers has gotten a lot of attention for its stylistic choices. But the real question is always about whether the game will live up to the license. Only a handful of gameplay footage has previously debuted. But at PAX West, Square Enix invited Superhero Hype and other outlets to have the first hands-on with the game.
We managed to play the same opening level that was presented a few days ago at Gamescom. It follows the five core Avengers – Iron Man, Thor, Hulk/Bruce Banner, Captain America and Black Widow – after they open their San Francisco headquarters. A terrorist attack breaks out on the Golden Gate Bridge, forcing Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into action.
Thor is perhaps the most entertaining character on the team. He’s actually quite similar to Kratos from the recent God of War reboot. He can use Mjolnir and his lightning to summon various combos and techniques to swiftly knock out enemies. He can also throw his hammer as a projectile to take out threats from afar, thanks to a helpful targeting system.
Iron Man is equally enjoyable, with both flying and on-land segments. He’s first introduced pursuing some airborne enemies while shooting them down and avoiding incoming attacks. Then he takes to the ground, using his lasers and repulsor beam to take down soldiers and tanks with ease. He’s a good character to use, particularly with those that like Iron Man’s flashy style.
Though Captain America’s segment was brief – because of the events in the opening sequence – he’s solid as well. He can throw his shield to hit opponents and also land several acrobatic combos to take them down. Cap’s shield also serves him well on defense.
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Black Widow has a much longer segment near the end, as she takes on Taskmaster in a short and sweet boss battle. It starts with a quick-time event style sequence where she lands a few quick blows. But Taskmaster eventually crashes down and tries to strike her with a charging attack. She can dodge his advances and strike back accordingly. Black Widow handles pretty nicely, and it’s great to be able to use her skills to throw him off.
However, Hulk is probably one of the most enjoyable characters of the demo. His ability to “smash” will likely entertain a lot of fans. His up-close strikes are brutal, and he can also make quick work of a tank. On top of that, his versatility is ideal for the opening level’s platforming sequences, as he makes his way across the bridge. He takes practice with his speed and size. But after a few combos – and one poor sap being kicked aside – it’s easy to see how fun he is.
Overall, the demo was enjoyable to play even if it didn’t cross over into new territory. But it does sets the stage for an even bigger experience to come with Marvel’s Avengers.
Marvel’s Avengers will hit on May 15, 2020 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
What do you think about the gameplay system for each character? Let us know in the comments below!
Recommended Reading: Marvel Studios Character Encyclopedia
