The newly released Marvel's Avengers sees the iconic team reunited by a relatively new addition to Marvel's long history: Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel, who was only introduced in 2013. But while she may not have the decades of history that her more famous teammates do, Kamala's unending enthusiasm and optimism allow her to hold her own even while sharing the screen with icons like Iron Man and Hulk.

In the game, Kamala is the one who reassembles the Avengers following the catastrophic events of A-Day, events that resulted in Kamala herself unlocking Inhuman powers. After finding evidence that proves the heroes were not to blame for the destruction that ensued, Kamala locates and teams up with Bruce Banner, ultimately bringing the Avengers back together and coming into her own in the process.

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What immediately stands out about Kamala is the unique and refreshing perspective she brings to what's happening around her. From the very beginning of the game, even before she has powers, Kamala approaches the world with joy, even charming the Avengers when she comes across them before A-Day. Despite everything that happens to her, her heroes and the world in the years that follow, her attitude positive endures.

Kamala is understandably excited by the prospect of working with her heroes and getting to know them. As an average teenager from New Jersey who grew up admiring the Avengers, Kamala often finds herself starstruck, though her fangirling doesn't stop her from being powerful and effective in her own right. Even in precarious situations, Kamala maintains a level of enthusiasm and positivity that are rare to see, especially in modern gaming.

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There is plenty of darkness and brooding to be found in today's movies and video games, and while many individual ones are great, the overwhelming number of such titles can get exhausting for audiences. Take, for example, The Last of Us Part II, another one of this year's major games and easily one of the darkest ever made. While the game itself has been called a masterful work of gameplay and storytelling, the dark and edgy tone in combination with lots and lots of violence makes it hard for many to play.

This is all the more true in a year like 2020 that has been packed with stressful and depressing events. Under these circumstances, a character like Kamala Khan is all the more appealing. Like many other superhero stories these days, Marvel's Avengers is dark. It starts out with the team estranged, each surviving member guilt-ridden over the supposed death of Captain America.

However, unlike many dark stories, the game doesn't equate edginess and seriousness with strength and power, nor does it associate optimism and joy with weakness and helplessness. Kamala is endlessly positive, but she's far from defenseless. In fact, as a young girl, she impresses Steve Rogers himself by standing up for herself against bullies. In the end, it takes someone with Kamala's positivity, hopefulness and relatable love of the Avengers to draw the team back together, reminding them what the Avengers used to fight for.

Developed by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal and published by Square Enix, Marvel's Avengers is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia and PC.

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