Though Marvel'sAvengers got off to a rocky start, it has reclaimed fans through various story expansions and additional operations with new levels and playable heroes. With the confirmation that the Winter Soldier will be added as DLC, attention turns to what kind of expansion the developers have planned.
While there have been various story expansions adding the likes of Hawkeye, Spider-Man, and Mighty Thor, the War for Wakanda expansion added the most significant amount of content. On top of playing as the iconic Black Panther, it provided fans a new region to explore. If Marvel's Avengers wants to keep its fanbase engaged, it needs more expansions like War for Wakanda rather than piecemeal additions.
Bigger Story Expansions Appeal To Everyone
Though a new playable character is sure to grab fans' attention, if there isn't supporting content then the expansions only provide something for fans of Marvel's Avengers online multiplayer. For instance, when Taking A.I.M. was introduced alongside Kate Bishop and Clint Barton's Hawkeyes, critics praised the variation of new combat mechanics and personality types, but criticized the slim story content. Additionally, the introduction of fan-favorite Marvel character Spider-Man lacked any real extra content.
A new expansion should therefore bring with it a bigger story, more levels, and a greater variety of villains and heroes. While Marvel's Avengers doesn't have to adhere to the MCU's canon, it could do well to ride the momentum of its TV shows and films to generate greater interest in future story expansions. While the Winter Solider is liked by fans, players will already be familiar with the story beats Crystal Dynamics needs to hit to introduce him.
If the Winter Soldier next expansion, it should also bring with it famous Captain America villains like Hydra's Red Skull and Baron Zemo. Moreover, tying into the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Falcon should also be considered as an addition alongside these other characters. Crystal Dynamics needn't stop there for future expansions.
Taking Inspiration From the MCU
Since The Avengers film debuted in 2012, new heroes have added variety to an otherwise familiar cast of characters. The MCU is currently gearing up for a new Captain America following Sam Wilson, as well as Ironheart and Armor Wars expected to fill the hole left by Iron Man. Marvel's Avengers should likewise consider expanding to include alternative heroes with something unique, as the Winter Soldier parallels Steve Rogers' abilities.
For instance, since Hank Pym has featured in Marvel's Avengers, when Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania start the MCU's Phase 5, adding Ant-Man and The Wasp to the game with a story expansion could tie many loose ends together. This could also bring Kang into the fold of Marvel's Avengers, taking advantage of his growing presence in the MCU's Multiverse Saga.
Moreover, if Marvel's Avengers could entertain the multiverse trend, it could introduce Doctor Strange for more fantasy-based powers. By extension, the game could use Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness as a foothold, even going so far as to establish Marvel's Avengers as just another universe among the many now existing in the MCU. This could even capitalize on the lost opportunity with Spider-Man, taking notes from Far From Home and Into the Spider-Verse to add in variants like Miles Morales, Spider Gwen, and more.
Marvel's Avengers Could Go Beyond the MCU
While it would be an easy sell to piggyback on the MCU, Marvel's Avengers should strive to go further and differentiate itself. Initially it was able to achieve this by making Kamala Khan the focus of its story well before the Disney+ series Ms Marvel, but since then its expansions appear to be playing catch-up. Future story expansions should go in a new direction.
Since there hasn't been any confirmation of X-Men-focused films in the MCU, Marvel's Avengers could introduce a sizable story expansion that focuses on introducing mutants. Not only would this bring many heroes into the folk, but also a decent number of villains and stories exploring the relationship between ordinary people and mutants. Given Insomniac has already announced a Wolverine game, Marvel's Avengers might need to explore other avenues.
Marvel's Avengers is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
