Preview: Superhero spectacular Marvel’s Avengers shows promise with A-Day demo

Having played the explosive A-Day demo for upcoming action game Marvel’s Avengers, we’re feeling a lot more optimistic about the full game.

After its gameplay reveals back in June this year, the upcoming action game Marvel’s Avengers drew a lot of attention, but not for the right reasons.

While the gameplay looked solid, many were taken aback by the absence of familiar faces like Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson and the altered appearances of classic characters.

Developers Crystal Dynamics clarified that their game was a completely new story and separate from the Marvel films.

So the demo begins on ‘A-Day’, a celebration of the Avengers being held in San Francisco.

However, things go awry when skull-masked villain Taskmaster attacks with his mercenary forces.

Despite players eventually defeating Taskmaster, the damage is already done and one of the Avengers’ experimental Helicarriers explodes, devastating San Francisco and taking Captain America with it.

Players will continue the story several years later in both single-player and four-player cooperative missions, to fight sinister organisation AIM.

Although initially sceptical, playing the A-Day demo has completely changed my opinion and I was surprised that I enjoyed it more than I expected.

Those who have played 2018’s Spider-Man and Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider reboot will find the gameplay and combat familiarly satisfying.

The heroes each have their specific fighting styles and a variety of close-quarters attacks, finishers and special abilities.

Out of the five Avengers available to play, Thor was the most fun.

He is best suited for close combat with his legendary hammer Mjolnir, whilst Iron Man’s flight capability and Unibeam make him great for players who favour more mobility and range.

Each hero can be customised with new abilities and outfits, which are unlocked through their unique progression systems.

The range of heroes, their abilities and solid gameplay means Marvel’s Avengers is bursting with variety, and the story seems like it will be an action-packed and explosive superhero adventure throughout.

However, my main concern is that the game might not have the desired longevity.

Crystal Dynamics will need to work hard to keep players interested by supporting the game with additional content, otherwise, the game will fizzle out quicker than you can say “Avengers Assemble”.

Marvel’s Avengers releases on May 15 2020.