Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora launched at the end of 2023, after gracing the cover of Game Informer, but developer Massive Entertainment has been hard at work making the game even better. That includes a recent update that added New Game Plus and the long-requested third-person mode to the game, alongside a new expansion called From The Ashes, a story expansion that ties into the events of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Basically, it’s never been a better time to play Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, as evidenced by the Avatar subreddit, myriad TikToks highlighting its fun, and general online chatter. Despite all the new and returning excitement around the game, I can’t ignore one glaring omission, and it (or rather, she) is named Varang.
Varang, the new antagonistic Na’Vi played by Oona Chaplin, is not only a fantastic addition to director James Cameron’s unique sci-fi/fantasy world but also the most compelling character in Avatar: Fire and Ash. And she’s completely absent from the From The Ashes expansion. I can guess as to why Varang isn’t in the expansion – a lot of it likely tied up in financials and legalities and licenses and whatnot – and it’s totally understandable; that doesn’t mean I can’t be upset that my favorite part of Avatar: Fire and Ashes isn’t in the new expansion centered around the story of the movie.
I could wax on about why I like Varang, but doing so would spoil major plot points of Avatar: Fire and Ashes. However, one thing I can say without spoiling various parts of the movie is that Varang is a very great character to watch on screen, literally. It’s the one aspect of Stephen Lang’s Colonel Quaritch character I can sympathize with – I’m doing anything and everything Varang asks of me, without questioning any of it.
There is a drug-induced hallucination segment of Avatar: Fire and Ashes that feels ripped straight out of a Far Cry game from Ubisoft, and on that merit alone, I’m shocked Varang didn’t make it into the From The Ashes expansion. Anyway, this is a meandering article for me to basically admit that my TikTok For You page has been nothing but Varang edits and I’m very happy about it. I want more Varang in my life, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora seems like an obvious answer, which is why I’m so shocked she isn’t in the game’s latest expansion.
For a more coherent and critical analysis of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, read Game Informer’s review here. After that, read about the how the game’s score is nominated for a Grammy.
Are you also in love with Varang? Let us know in the comments below!
