Gamers wanting to test out Marvel's Avengers can do so without buying the game thanks to an upcoming free weekend of play. Unfortunately, while Marvel's Avengers is available on multiple platforms, Xbox players won't be able to take part in the special promotion.
Marvel's Avengers has seen mixed reception from gamers since its release, mostly due its controversial live-service elements. However, the highly-anticipated Black Panther expansion, Marvel's Avengers: Black Panther - War for Wakanda, is due to release next month, and the free weekend can give players a taste of the base game ahead of its release. The expansion will introduce Wakanda to the game for the first time, using all-new assets not before seen in Marvel's Avengers. War for Wakanda will star God of War actor Christopher Judge as Black Panther/T'Challa, though the developers have teased that Marvel's Avengers' Black Panther will be very different from both the MCU and the comics.
Announcing the news in a press release, publisher Square Enix has revealed that players will be able to test out Marvel's Avengers from July 29 to August 1 without needing to purchase the game. Describing the promotion as both "a celebration of the start of the summer blockbuster season" and a recognition of "the permanent launch of the multiple-hero feature in the game," Marvel fans will be able to play Marvel's Avengers on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC (Steam and Stadia). Once the event is over, all progress and purchases can be transferred over if players buy the game on the same platform used for their free trial.
Square Enix has confirmed that all elements of Marvel’s Avengers will be included in the all-access free weekend, with both the single-player campaign and the game's multiplayer elements available. The Kate Bishop and Hawkeye Operations will also be included, which means Marvel fans can get a good taste of what the game has to offer ahead of the release of the Black Panther expansion. Marvel's Avengers reportedly lost money for Square Enix following disappointing launch sales, but it's hoped that more people will purchase the game in order to experience the upcoming expansion. War for Wakanda will be free for all those who own the base game.
Xbox gamers may be unable to take part in the all-access weekend this time, but Square Enix has promised a similar opportunity will be available in the coming months. While Xbox fans will have to wait a little longer for the promotion, it does mean that they'll likely be able to access the Black Panther expansion as part of the promotion. Accounting for all expansions and game add-ons, it's believed that the addition of War for Wakanda will bring the Marvel's Avengers campaign to around 25 hours in length.
Source: Square Enix