Marvel Rivals is here but how does this team-focused incarnation stand up to its titanic source material, or its many rivals in the genre?
Marvel Rivals’ base formula is that of a standard hero shooter. Various unique characters, made to fit into specific roles, compete for control of objectives in extended, multi-engagement games of tug-of-war and king of the hill. If interested parties have played Overwatch, they know what to expect.
Where Marvel Rivals seemingly wants to differentiate itself from the looming shadow of Blizzard’s predecessor is in its thematic gameplay, player rewards system. Both have genuinely interesting and fan-friendly aspects that provide an improved experience. However, as a live-service game, the choices it makes around these aren’t enough to guarantee long-term success. Given how many of its competitors peter out, NetEase has a bumpy road ahead.
The Good:
- Marvel Rivals loves its heroes, giving them fun kits that fulfill their power fantasies
- Gameplay is fast, skill-intensive, and rewards teamwork, team composition, and moments of individual play
- Team-ups elevate Marvel Rivals’ gameplay to encourage dynamic teamplay and allow cool moments
The Bad:
- With only team-ups and player rewards to differentiate it from other Overwatch clones, Marvel Rivals lacks immediate staying power
- Gameplay can feel somewhat one-dimensional at times
Review Details:
- What Platform Did the Reviewer Play On?: PC
- Platforms Available: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Official Release Date: December 6, 2024
Marvel Rivals’ love for its heroes and players? Excelsior!
Marvel Rivals does quite a lot right. In particular, the playable heroes each shine with personality and a clear love for the source material from the developers.
The 33-character roster boasts all the big hits one would expect, MCU-compliant Avengers and all, but also includes deep cuts that fans might not expect like Cloak and Dagger, Jeff the Land Shark, and more. Marvel Rivals’ heroes all have unique, thematic kits that make players feel like they’re harnessing their heroes’ move set in a genuinely fun way.
The game’s approach of a completely free roster, with its only monetization being cosmetic items and its battle pass, one-ups many free-to-play games like the increasingly nickel-and-dime-focused League of Legends. Battle passes have no expiration date once purchased, and the currency earned through play can be converted into premium currency for skins. It’s an appealing concept, with skins being purchasable surprisingly quickly without paying a penny.
Rivals’ best mechanic is team-ups; unique mechanics triggered by having thematically related heroes on the same team. Team-ups buff abilities for their participating characters.
For example, Cloak and Dagger gain 15% healing when teamed up with Moon Knight, and Moon Knight gains and AoE that grants him invisibility. Hulk can throw Wolverine for a Fastball Special, and every character has at least one Team Up that enhances them and their ally. This is Rivals’ best choice, encouraging dynamic team compositions and fun, lore-friendly moments.
Live by live service, die by live service
Marvel Rivals’ biggest obstacle will be getting players to come back, something only a handful of similar games have managed to do.
The developers have plucked some of the most popular community concepts of other, similar games. On its face, Marvel Rivals doesn’t add much beyond the basic Overwatch formula beyond team-ups, and while its gameplay is rewarding, it’s limited. This game’s success or failure will be decided by its ability to provide a steady flow of new and engaging content, something that’s far from easy.
Fresh off the launch, however, Marvel Rivals has a promising start. Whether its clear adoration for the source material and fast gameplay is enough to keep things exciting and its playerbase healthy is a question that can only be answered years removed from launch. Marvel Rivals cannot be what it is setting out to be from the jump, and that is apparent while playing. Its player rewards system must withstand the test of time, avoiding the slow cosmetic creep it seems to be trying to distance itself from.
But right now, at launch? It’s off to a solid start.
The Bottom Line: Marvel Rivals learns from its forerunners and mechanics like team-ups make for some genuinely enjoyable gameplay, but there isn’t enough to set it apart from the many other hero shooters.
Score: 7/10
