LEGO Marvel Avengers Review

LEGO Marvel Avengers

Release: January 1, 1970
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Developer: TT Games
Genre: Action, Adventure, XBox One Reviews
PEGI: 10+
Comments:

 

Comment

LEGO games continue to get pumped out and I always wait for that game that proves to be a dud. It hasn’t happened yet, and while parts of LEGO Marvel Avengers are less than ideal, the entire package is still above par for games released in this generation. Fighting through a number of Marvel movies with nearly 200 characters to choose from, the fun never really stops in this latest LEGO adventure.

As you play through many of the recent Marvel Avengers related films, you begin to realize this game is not set out in the same way as others. You don’t just chronologically play through movie after movie. While some people have argued that this gives the game some direction, I enjoy the way it is presented.

Each level plays out as part of a bigger story. While the game focuses on the Marvel Avengers movies, bits of each characters back story are filled in by looking at their specific films via flashbacks. I think this plan is brilliant as it breaks up the simplicity of just playing through each movie on its own. It also allows players to use different characters in a variety of settings with each new level.

While the way the story is presented gets away from the standard LEGO game formula, everything else appears to be much the same. The open world of New York City really reminds me of LEGO City Undercover, which makes me wish for a sequel to that title. The world of New York felt a little dead to me, although certain areas definitely pop with some nice variety of street life. For being a replica of New York, however, I think things fell a bit flat.

You still will collect studs in and out of levels, attempt to reach 100% stud collection, try to find 10 model pieces throughout the levels, looks out for red bricks, and more. Studs will be used to buy more characters – unlocked by completing levels or finding them in the open world – and for buying red bricks which will grant you various bonuses while playing, like stud multipliers.

The voice acting is top notch, and the musical score throughout is great. Graphically, it is a LEGO game – solid visuals are the norm, and if you have seen a current generation LEGO game, you know what you will get. I do feel, however, that compared to some of the previous LEGO titles that have been released on Xbox One, this one steps away from wide accessibility. LEGO Jurassic, for example, was a great game to play with my son because the fighting and puzzles were easy enough for him to complete, while still entertaining for myself. I didn’t feel that way with Marvel Avengers.

My son greatly disliked this game, and not all the problems stemmed from his ability to actually complete the levels. Certain character animations – generally during fights – often sent characters tumbling over cliffs, losing precious studs. The multiplier for killing enemies and then quickly collecting studs to maximize the income also felt forced, and out to of place.

Overall, LEGO Marvel Avengers is a great title, but falls a. It short of previous instalments. While this game won’t be playable for younger children – harder puzzles than most LEGO games, and lots of combat – it is still a game that LEGO fans shouldn’t pass over.

Trailer