Many fans’ familiarity with James Buchanan Barnes comes directly from the MCU, where he has undoubtedly become more popular as a character. If Bucky is added, Marvel’s Avengers will once again have no shortage of cosmetic skin inspirations to draw from for the character between his major role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and his latest appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. But how the Winter Soldier would play is another question entirely, and he has certain accessories and firearms in his arsenal that Marvel’s Avengers could consider.
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Winter Soldier Could Play Similarly to Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Widow
Because so many of Marvel’s Avengers’ playable characters are adaptable as echo characters, it makes sense that Bucky could be introduced as an echo of Black Widow. Natasha Romanoff’s stealth and expertise as an assassin spy is no different from Bucky’s own elusive espionage strategies, and her use of dual pistols already establishes a template for Bucky to use his own firearms.
Bucky can be seen using a myriad of firearms throughout the comic book source material as well as throughout the MCU, which could all feasibly be swapped between for different attacks in Marvel’s Avengers’ gameplay. Bucky could swap between a handgun, an assault rifle, a grenade launcher, or a sniper rifle. Black Widow’s traversal still allows her to bound about as quickly and far as Marvel’s Avengers’ superhuman characters, but she also has a grapple that lets her traverse in midair as well.
One of her desired methods of transportation that fans wished for since before Marvel’s Avengers released was a motorcycle. This could have been implemented as a mechanic where the bike would appear beside her for her to instantly mount and ride until she chooses to leap off from it, similar to how players in many open-world games can suddenly summon a steed, or other mount to their side. No motorcycle was ever added for Black Widow, and it is unlikely that one would be added for the Winter Soldier, but it would still make for unique traversal. Otherwise, Bucky may simply run and leap like other characters, or Bucky may even have a double-jump like Captain America.
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Winter Soldier’s Abilities Should Revolve Around Tactical Accessories
There are key differences between Bucky from the comics and Bucky from the MCU, but because Marvel’s Avengers has its own original canon it will most likely appeal more toward the MCU with regard to his origins, or maybe be a blend of the two with a possible nod to the Infinity Formula. Either way, in terms of the Winter Soldier’s abilities in combat, his cybernetic arm must not be overlooked.
Being one of his most distinctive features, Bucky’s chrome arm could likely deal some massive damage with wound-up haymakers. This would make closing the distance fun while his primary source of damage could be firearms, and technological gadgets could also be employed through use of the cybernetic arm.
Bucky’s cybernetic arm has previously featured an EMP discharger and a holographic projector; the EMP could be used to temporarily stun any nearby hordes of AIM bots, for example, while the holographic projector could create simulated decoys similar to Kate Bishop’s. Further, knives could be implemented through a single knife for close-quarters-combat as well as throwing knives for rapid projectiles.
All of these dynamic ways to attack would be creative options for three of the player’s abilities. Winter Soldier’s gameplay in Marvel’s Avengers could be familiar to players while still being unique if his marksman proficiency and enhanced prosthetic arm are considered.
Marvel’s Avengers is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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