Here are some more musings on Square Enix's Marvel's The Avengers.

There's a good foundation here.
All the playable characters use the same basic control scheme but actually feel very different to play.

Combat is legitimately fun.

Avengers with online co-op makes sense.

The problem comes with the "games as a service" model along with half-baked RPG elements.

The invisible equipment system is awful. It's only there because it's a Destiny clone.

The missions are another problem.

During the campaign, there are some legitimately fun sequences. Levels that were specifically designed for a certain character are fun!

The problem is that there are maybe 5 tailored levels in the campaign. The rest are generic "looter-shooter" missions.

Because of that, every area feels boring and lifeless because each character has to be able to complete it Solo if necessary.

So each mission feels exactly the same:

Go to zone > fight enemies > get in elevator > fight enemies > get in elevator > go back to base

They pepper in cutscenes to add flavor during the campaign, but it only masks the fact that there are like 3 mission types that are recycled endlessly.

But is this thread just about griping about the game?

Nope.

I'll tell you how to fix it.

Number 1: Make the loot MATTER. When you find a new chest piece for Thor, change the chest mesh to match.

You'd only need like, 4 or 5 different meshes for armor piece because you can reuse and repaint them like mad.

Let each player BUILD their ideal Avenger.

Just that small addition will dramatically increase a player's connection to the game.

PLUS you can keep the skins!

If a player doesn't want to waste time building a cool looking armor set, they can slap on one of the skins.