Over the last few days, I finally had the chance to play through the Future Imperfect DLC from Marvel’s Avengers. As I noted in my review of the game, it has a lot of fun moments and potential that is hampered a bit by its unnecessary design choices– one of which is the decision to make the game into a team-based loot-focused action RPG. The first DLC with Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye shared these issues, but Future Imperfect gave me a new hope for Marvel’s Avengers.
The primary story of Future Imperfect revolves around the post-apocalyptic future that Hawkeye (Clint Barton) experienced in the previous DLC. Future Clint, now referred to as Old Man Hawkeye, roams the wastelands that are now controlled by the Maestro, an intelligent but insane future version of the Hulk. Past Hawkeye, along with Kate Bishop and the Avengers, are hunted by the Watchdogs in the present, and after saving Clint’s dog from the group, decide to go to the future to fight the Maestro and find the missing Nick Fury.
The story itself is fine, but it’s the linearity and comic book reverence that gives me hope for future Avengers content. See, the missions in Future Imperfect are still multiplayer, but they’re different from previous levels. Not only do they take place in a new location, but they don’t stuff you in hallways to fight the same five robots and AIM researchers. There was no jumping between numbered panels to open a door or capturing terminals while holding off AIM-bots. Each mission had me traverse an environment while fighting off Watchdogs and decaying robots, with a destination (or multiple) in mind. It felt more like I was playing through traditional action game levels than loot-oriented open-level missions, which is what made up most of the base game and former DLC.
“If future expansions kept this story-based straightforward pacing, I think the game would do a lot better.“
This is the direction I’ve really pushed for with Marvel’s Avengers, as it’s the most fun and accessible segment of the game. The first few hours of the main campaign felt like a competent and straightforward action game, and Future Imperfect felt like a continuation of that appealing formula. Mowing down enemies with arrows while exploring the desolate futurescape is genuinely fun, as I didn’t have to do any of the now-boring tasks that most of the post-game missions present me with. If future expansions kept this story-based straightforward pacing, I think the game would do a lot better.
As for the comic book reverence, I was deeply impressed with the love Future Imperfect showed for Matt Fraction’s excellent Hawkeye run. An appearance from Gil “Grills” at Clint’s apartment, a Hawkguy skin, Lucky the Pizza Dog, and Clint’s self-deprecating attitude all make an appearance in Future Imperfect, and they all fit perfectly into this separate universe. You don’t need to know about all this stuff, as it’s all presented naturally as part of the Avengers world, but it provides some extra
Thanks to its linearity, comic book reverence, and enjoyable narrative, Future Imperfect felt like a great next step for Marvel’s Avengers. Many of the issues that I had with the main game were either improved upon or fixed completely, and it felt like I was playing a less loot-focused action game. I hope the upcoming Black Panther DLC continues with this trend, and that this pivot is permanent for all future Avengers content because if it’s not, I’m not sure this game can survive as a Marvel looter shooter.
