LEGO Marvel's Avengers
Overview -
Traveller’s Tales is a division of WB Games and works exclusively on 'Lego' branded games, almost always paired with a second license from film or comics ('Batman', 'The Hobbit', etc.). They have worked with the Marvel property before, most recently with 2013’s 'Lego Marvel Super Heroes'.
Video Review
The 'Lego' engine seems to improve a little bit with each release. Lighting and shadows become crisper, textures are a slightly more detailed, and a few more assets can be presented on the screen at once. Other effects, like explosions, remain basic. Animations for the characters have been plucked straight from the films, like Black Widow’s strut and the way Coulson clasps his hands together when idle.
Audio Review
Dialogue has been lifted from the movies and placed into the game. It adds to the immersion to have Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. talking while I collect thousands of Lego studs and save Stan Lee from his own predicaments (also voiced by himself). Some characters have fresh voice actors, probably for licensing issues (Pepper Potts), while others have tapped their film actors for additional dialogue (Agent Coulson, Maria Hill). For some reason, the voice tracks have been layered at a very low volume. The epic score from the films has also been carried over.
The 'Lego' games have always been a known quantity, but perhaps familiarity is beginning to breed contempt. 'Lego Marvel’s Avengers' wasn’t able to hold my attention as well as its forebears, even though it’s not a markedly different experience. Perhaps it’s time for the series to get a shot in the arm.