Marvel’s Avengers is shaping up to be one of 2020’s biggest games for PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC, and we finally got hands-on time (and gameplay video) from at Gamescom 2019. The demo of Marvel’s Avengers is exactly what was shown off during Square-Enix’s E3 2019 press conference, but there were many Marvel's Avengers details revealed at Gamescom 2019 that gave us some insight into what to expect from Marvel’s Avengers’ story, character customization, gear, multiplayer, DLC, and more.

Marvel’s Avengers Setting





The game takes place five years after the cinematic trailer that we saw during E3, where the Avengers were blamed for a tragedy that struck the San Francisco Bay Area. Your task is to reassemble each of Earth’s mightiest heroes. Heroes are outlawed during this new era.

Marvel's Avengers: 11 Marvel Universe Locations We Want 12 IMAGES

Marvel’s Avengers Characters and Story





This is an original, never before told story about The Avengers Thor initially begins in Midgard after the devastating events that transpired. Black Widow reverts to working by herself. Hulk is upset at the circumstances and does not want to turn back into Bruce Banner, remaining in his Hulk form. Although Captain America seemingly dies at the end of the prologue, we can confirm he does return later in the game as a playable character. One of the game’s main villains is A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics), a sinister organization comprised of supervillains and scientists that appeared in the comics during the 1960s. The current head of A.I.M. is MODOK, most recently seen as a boss in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 on Nintendo Switch, but it’s unconfirmed whether or not he will be appearing in Marvel’s Avengers. Taskmaster is the first boss in the game and must be defeated by Black Widow. Black Widow can turn invisible with a special ability. The Taskmaster in Marvel’s Avengers is confirmed to not be the same Taskmaster from Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4. New stories will be told post-launch as different characters are added. Square-Enix is working closely with Marvel to ensure that everything feels authentic, while also being given a bit of creative freedom to expand the universe and build upon its rich history. The game will continue to expand for “years to come.”

Marvel’s Avengers Single-player Gameplay and Missions

Loading





The game is being referred to as an “expansive world,” not an “open world.” You’ll select missions from an overworld map, known as the “War Table,” which contains both single-player and multiplayer missions. As you progress through the game, different regions will open up all over the globe that you can travel to. Single-player missions are known as “Hero Missions” and will deliver the majority of the overall narrative of Marvel’s Avengers. During Hero Missions, you’ll play as individual heroes while learning more about their unique backstories. Even though you only control a single character during Hero Missions, you’ll still be interacting with other heroes in different ways. Depending on the gear you have equipped, you may be able to access otherwise inaccessible areas. “War Zone Missions” are playable as a single-player, or with up to four players in online co-op. Both Hero Missions and War Zone Missions will advance the overall narrative. Both types of missions feature a difficulty scale. Once you unlock certain characters in the main campaign, specific War Zone Missions will be unlocked just for them.

Marvel’s Avengers Multiplayer Gameplay and Missions





When playing cooperatively with other players, War Zone Missions will scale dynamically, so you can play together regardless of what level each of your heroes is at. Co-op and matchmaking details will be made available early next year.

Marvel’s Avengers Combat, Skills, and Moves

Marvel's Avengers - A-Day Gameplay Trailer Screenshots 101 IMAGES





The game’s tutorial introduces you to each of the main characters, as well as familiarizing you with their unique abilities. Each hero features a light and a heavy melee attack that can be used in combat. Heroes also feature their signature abilities: Iron Man’s repulsor beams, Hulk’s smash, Black Widow’s dual pistols, etc.) Every hero also has access to a special ‘heroic attack,’ an extremely powerful ability that has a cooldown meter. Heroes will have access to individual skill trees - allowing you to build your hero the way you want. Thor can be played using more of his lightning and flying abilities, or can be built as a higher-HP, tanky-er character. Similarly, Iron Man is separated into Melee, Repulsor, Laser, and Rockets. Unlocked skills can be swapped mid-game by toggling them on the D-pad. Players can earn experience points during combat. Experience points are displayed in the bottom left corner when earned, and contribute to your character’s overall level.

Marvel’s Avengers Cosmetics, DLC, and Microtransactions





Square-Enix confirmed that cosmetic items can be obtained throughout the story. Cosmetics are a way to visually represent how the different characters are growing and evolving with the story. Cosmetics will also be available to purchase from the in-game marketplace. None of these cosmetic items affect gameplay. Marvel’s vast 80-year history will be explored through cosmetic items. Cosmetics will feature both original pieces and fan-favorites. There is a “haggard-looking” Tony Stark Regions and heroes will be added post-launch at no additional charge. New War Zone Missions will be included as part of post-launch DLC at no additional charge, as well. Story beats will be included in this DLC to further the narrative for certain characters.

Marvel’s Avengers Gear





As you play through missions, you’ll gain access to different gear, separated by the traditional categories we’ve come to expect throughout modern games. There is also a secret ‘beyond legendary’ tier of items that can be obtained. Gear is unique to each character. There is also branded gear, like a Stark Industries set of specific items. The gear you equip on your heroes affects the way they play, with different items offering synergies when equipped with others. Each gear item also features perks, depending on rarity. Higher-rarity gear can feature multiple perks.

Loading

Marvel’s Avengers launches across PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia on May 15, 2020. What new detail are you most excited about? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Also, be sure to check out our Gamescom hub to stay up-to-date on all of our coverage of the event. For everything else, stay tuned to IGN.

Matthew Adler is a Freelance Journalist who can’t wait to assemble Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and save the world from impending doom when Marvel’s Avengers launches next year.