When comparingMarvel’s Avengersto other titles that use the live-service model, it is easy to find criticisms from even diehard fans of the game. That being said, there are some areas where the title succeeds among the genre, especially when compared against the loot-based process ofleveling in games likeDestiny 2.
The specific area whereMarvel’s Avengerssucceeds the most is through the availability of single-player content and the ability to play through most of the game solo. While the ability to play alone might seem like a minor aspect for a multiplayer game, it can have a large effect on an individual player’s overall experience with any live-service title.
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How Marvel’s Avengers Approaches Single-Player
It might be strange for a game billed as a live-service, multiplayer title where fans can join together as groups of up to four heroes, but the focus on single-player starts from the very beginning of the first campaign. Most of the Reassemble Campaign, the starting story from before anyMarvel’s AvengersDLCstarted rolling out, is entirely played solo, with few missions even allowing online matchmaking. However, the singe-player content isn’t limited to the start of the game, or even the story, as there is also high-level content meant to be challenged alone.
One of the most impressive waysMarvel’s Avengersincludes high-level solo content is through the Last Avenger Standing Hive Gauntlet, which can only be played in single-player. This high-levelhive inMarvel’s Avengerswon’t help push players to the current maximum power, but it is a great test of skill while only able to rely on basic AI companions. Beyond the pre-made gauntlets, players can also test their skills at custom HARM Room challenges on their own.
Beyond the scope of high-level activities that are built to be played solo, almost every other mission in the game can also be attempted without other players. With the exception ofMarvel’s Avengers' first Raidand Omega-Level threats, any other mission the game offers can be challenged either as a group or solo. So, regardless of what type of encounter any given player is looking for, they don’t need to rely on matchmaking or having friends online in order to engage with the majority of content.
Where Other Live-Service Titles Lean on Multiplayer
UnlikeMarvel’s Avengers, other titles under the live-service model tend to emphasize multiplayer to the point that large amounts of content can’t be finished without relying on other players. Most notable among competitors would have to beDestiny 2, which has a long history of requiring multiplayer in order to engage with high-level content and obtain certain pieces of gear. This is the case for several exotics, with the pre-Beyond Light method of findingDestiny 2’s Whisper of the Wormthrough the secret Whisper quest being a prime example of a quest that can’t normally be completed solo.
In addition to several of these missions being built to require multiple players due to difficulty, there is then the highest points that live-service games are able to achieve. Theraids inDestiny 2are easily the most exciting encounters from the game, requiring multiple players to take on different tasks that work in tandem to accomplish a single shared goal. However, the complexity of these raids incentivize the developer Bungie to continue to shy away from including matchmaking during this high-level content.
This necessity for multiplayer, combined with a lack of matchmaking, makesDestiny 2’s best content even more difficult to engage with, especially as a solo player. BetweenDestiny 2’s Grandmaster Nightfalland the raids, the only way to reach to the highest levels and play the most impressive content is to ether work out schedules among multiple players, or attempt to find a group through forums. Unfortunately, the requirements for strong gear or high levels can make filling out a raid group difficult without already having friends that are regularly able to challenge these encounters each week.
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Matchmaking in Marvel’s Avengers
Outside the content that is single-player focused, there are still a few activities in the current version ofMarvel’s Avengersthat requires a team of four active players. Currently, these includeMarvel’s Avengers' Discordant Sound Raidand the Omega-Level Threat mission Family Reunion, which are the highest level content available. While Discordant Sound might not be on the same level as Last Wish, Deep Stone Crypt, or Vault of Glass, it’s still the best example of the high-end content that keeps people coming back to live-service games through to the end.
Even if the first raid inMarvel’s Avengersis somewhat simpler than the higher-level content of other competitors, it still has all the hallmarks of an activity that requires a lot of skill and communication. In that way, Discordant Sound is the type of activity that a title like Bungie might have required be completed with multiple players, but without an automated matchmaking system. However, it would appear thatdeveloper Crystal Dynamicsis committed to making sure that all content is equally accessible and allows for matchmaking even in some of these most difficult activities.
While it might be easier nowadays to pull together a group of friends to hop onDestiny 2thanks to the base game being free-to-play, getting through high-level content can be a daunting task. On the other hand, withMarvel’s Avengersnow on PS Plus Extraand on Xbox Game Pass, the looter is nearly as accessible as other live-service competitors. In that case, looking atMarvel’s Avengersas both a multiplayer and solo experience means that players can engage with all the game’s content whether trying to schedule a time to play with friends or jump into even the highest-level areas alone.
At the end of the day, when it comes to either title that is primed for players to sink hundreds of hours into, the better option may have more to do with opportunity than actual gameplay. For players who only have the time to jump in alone and complete a few daily activities,Marvel’s Avengershas a more complete experience. That being said, when it comes to gameplay, that comes down to whether players prefer playing withDestiny 2’s powerful gunsorMarvel’s Avengers' more melee focused heroes.
Marvel’s Avengersis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.
