Crystal Dynamics Showcases ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Thor Gameplay

Publisher Square Enix and developer Crystal Dynamics showed off new details of the upcoming Marvel’s Avengers during a live-streamed event on Wednesday. 

During the presentation, part of the Summer Game Fest program, Crystal Dynamics editorial director Casey Lynch shared a new story trailer, which showcased the infectious quarantine zone of San Francisco, AIM’s research facilities and Dr. George Tarleton, who dreamt of a world made better by science. Through his deranged obsession to end human infection, he becomes the villain MODOK. 

The event also showed off gameplay footage from a hero mission with Thor. Lynch explained that hero missions offer a chance to show variety and depth of character designs and dive deeper into story elements.

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Each Avenger offers different skills, he explained, with combat versatility being one of Thor’s strengths. Skills can be unlocked, granting access to classic moves. Heroes have three special heroic moves they can summon when needed — assault, ultimate and support. 

Players will have the chance to explore melee, ranged, aerial and ground combat skills as they progress through the game. As players build up each hero character, separate core skills offering more variety may be unlocked. “Your Thor will play differently than my Thor,” said Lynch.

Along the way, new outfits for the heroes that draw from Marvel’s 80-year history will become available. Outfits can be earned over the course of the story campaign by completing missions. As players progress, the Avengers’ Helicarrier can be upgraded as well.

Warzone missions, also grounded in story, can be played solo or with four players. They include wide open spaces and tight interiors to explore, explained Lynch, while the scale of each mission depends on the size of the team and player level. 

Lynch referred to the title as a “big, ambitious game” where new threats will always be on the horizon. The game arrives on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X when the next-gen consoles launch during the holiday season.

View the presentation below.