Square Enix has announced that Marvel's Avengers will launch on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles on March 18th, 2021. Giving players an extra incentive to revisit the game is the announcement that Clint Barton/Hawkeye, the unmatched archer with unerring precision, will become the next character made available to play.
Those who own the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One version of the game can upgrade to the full next-gen version at no additional cost and transfer their save game to keep their progress.
Clint Barton will bring his unique talents to the game's roster as part of Marvel's Avengers Operation: Hawkeye – Future Imperfect at no cost to owners of the core game on all platforms. In addition to a new playable character, and the new chapter in the game’s ongoing Avengers Initiative story, this also introduces a powerful new villain: Maestro, a version of Hulk with Bruce Banner’s brains and the Hulk’s strengths and abilities, now driven mad in an apocalyptic future.
It should be worth checking out the game on those next gen platforms (if you were lucky enough to nab one when they were released), and this Hawkeye DLC looks like it should be a blast.
Check out some announcement trailers below:
Click on the "Next" button below to check out some of
the best moments from Marvel's Avengers story mode!
10. Blasting Into Outer Space
When Tony Stark needs to reach a satellite, he dons armour outfitted specifically for space. While exploring that location proves to be a lot of fun (we'll get to that), it's the journey through the skies which really stands out. If anything, it doesn't really last long enough, but taking off from Earth and heading into the heavens as Iron Man makes for a truly epic sequence.
Controlling the Avenger as he desperately tries to stay on course - and avoid being struck by lightning - you get to enjoy some rock music on the way, and this really does make you believe you're the hero.
The white armour looks badass in action and is imagery that will definitely stick with you.
9. Thor Returns
Much of the game is focused on Ms. Marvel, The Hulk, and Iron Man, so when Thor finally shows up to save the day, it's definitely a welcome sight. He arrives on the Helicarrier just in the nick of time, and experiencing the God of Thunder's power feels unreal, even after playing as the Jade Giant.
As you make your way across the floating warship, you use Mjolnir to tear apart A.I.M.'s forces, and it's such an upgrade in terms of abilities, bringing the thunder here is beyond epic.
The level concludes with a QTE which sees Thor stop the Helicarrier from crashing into New York City, and by that point, you'll feel like you have the power to stop that from happening!
8. Kamala Khan On The Run
The game opens by putting players in control of a young Kamala Khan during A-Day, and five years later, she's been left with Inhuman powers. Those come out in full force in an enjoyable mission which sees you travel across a city to Kamala's secret hideout, though things soon escalate once A.I.M. comes looking for the youngster.
What follows is an expected, albeit simplistic, stealth level as you flee from A.I.M.'s forces.
While it may not break the mould, running through a park dedicated to Earth's Mightiest Heroes while the villainous organisation's robotic forces attempt to track you down proves to be surprisingly cinematic, and a great way to get accustomed to taking charge of the future Ms. Marvel.
7. A-Day Battle
If you played the beta for Marvel's Avengers, then you'll be all too familiar with this level. It doesn't really differ in the game itself, but it serves as a near perfect introduction to these iconic heroes.
Whether it's racing across the Golden Gate Bridge as The Hulk, battling Taskmaster's goons on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, or facing off with that villain as Black Widow, it's a breathtaking, exciting series of set pieces, and you won't be able to peel your eyes from the screen as this all happens.
It is just a tutorial for the most part, but it's a damn good one and suitably epic in terms of scale.
6. Running From The Hulk
The young Kamala Khan is determined to reassemble The Avengers, and her mission starts by attempting to find Bruce Banner. Unfortunately, it's The Hulk that she encounters, and that leads to a pulse-pounding sequence which sees you take control of the young Inhuman with the Green Goliath in pursuit.
As you run through the level, you're aware that The Hulk is close behind, and it's hard not to jump when the hero smashes his way through a nearby wall in a bid to get his hands on Kamala.
As strange as it might sound, Marvel's Avengers is often at its best when you're running through set pieces like this, but this one really stands out as the stakes feel particularly high/frightening.
5. Captain America Lives
It's been clear for a while that Captain America somehow returns in Marvel's Avengers, and that actually comes when Iron Man discovers that A.I.M. has put him on ice in the aforementioned satellite.
Steve Rogers is there because his blood has been used to keep George Tarleton alive (and subsequently transformed him into M.O.D.O.K.). The reunion between Iron Man and Cap really strikes a strong emotional chord, and their banter as they make their way to the escape shuttle is great fun.
Even better is actually getting to take control of Cap as he finally gets to return to action. He doesn't have his shield at this point, of course, but his athleticism more than make up for that being absent.
4. Hulk Vs. Abomination
There are a lot of cool boss battles in Marvel's Avengers, though most of them see Earth's Mightiest Heroes assemble to square off with massive robotic enemies sent their way by A.I.M.
There's nothing wrong with those, of course, but it's a lot more satisfying to take control of The Hulk and go toe to toe with The Abomination. Punching robots is great and all, but knocking seven bells out of one of the Jade Giant's greatest enemies proves to be both epic and a thrilling experience.
It's hard to deny that the game might have benefited from more fights like this, and it's a shame more classic villains from the comic books don't make their presence felt to face the team.
3. Cap Vs. A.I.M.
During the game's final mission, you're put in charge of Captain America while the rest of the heroes take on A.I.M. forces elsewhere. While The Hulk does show up to help out at one point, racing through the M.O.D.O.K.'s fortress above the ruins of San Francisco is nothing short of awesome.
It helps that Cap's special abilities in the game are particularly badass, and there's something oddly pleasing about leaping from platform to platform, taking out a bunch of baddies with your shield, and then sprinting towards one last fight as M.O.D.O.K. causes your surroundings to implode.
It's a great showcase of Captain America, and makes us wish he'd been in the game even more.
2. Avengers Assemble
With M.O.D.O.K. at full power, the Avengers assemble to take the fight to him and save the day.
You're essentially put in charge of each hero one after the other in order to weaken the formidable baddie, and whether it's throwing Cap's shield, bringing the thunder as Thor, or even unloading Black Widow's pistols, it feels like you're really helping to turn the tide against M.O.D.O.K. here.
Seeing as Marvel's Avengers isn't Ultimate Alliance, taking it turns like this was probably the best approach, and one that ensures each character is given the chance to shine here.
1. Ms. Marvel Vs. M.O.D.O.K.
Trust us, it's around this point in the game you'll be wondering when the heck Ms. Marvel is going to get her due. After all, she's been a focal point of this game up until this point, but don't fret too much, as the Inhuman gets to make a truly massive (and we do mean massive) impact against M.O.D.O.K.
After he takes control of a huge Kree Sentinel which was buried beneath San Francisco, Ms. Marvel finally gains full control of her powers and grows equally as massive in order to put him down.
You're given control as Ms. Marvel does exactly that, and it's seriously awesome. However, as great as this is, trust us when we say you'll want to stick around for a very cool mid-credits scene...