Marvel Rivals is the hottest game on the market as of late, containing our favorite Marvel characters and making them playable in one conglomerate thrilling yet chaotic team shooter. Rivals has become incredibly popular amongst players, scoring an incredible 10 million total players in just the opening weekend, six times more players than their main competitor, Overwatch 2. So, does it truly deserve the praise it’s received, or will it be forgotten down the line?
The Pros
Marvel Rivals is seemingly similar on the surface to many other team shooters, but there are a few key factors that sets it apart. The main obvious answer is the Marvel license and theme that the game has. The game contains locations seen all across the MCU along with a massive roster of long-time Marvel characters to choose from, all with their unique abilities, purchasable cosmetics, and animations. There are currently 35 playable characters at the time of writing with many more on the way. The developers have proven that their game will surely not lack new content, and with how much attention the game has gotten, the additions will only increase. On the same note, there are a myriad of amazingly high-quality cosmetics players have access to. What makes this fact even better is that the game doesn’t require these skins to be purchased with real money, they can be earned through gameplay milestones for a free to play alternative on top of the option to be bought with money.
When it comes to gameplay, each character has their own abilities and play styles with team diversity being heavily encouraged as each type of character is essential for effective play. The gameplay makes for a fast paced, chaotic, gleefully fun mess that can be both enjoyed in competitive ranked or relaxing casual. Many characters encourage creative and unique plays that, when performed correctly, can be very satisfying to pull off. Characters like Dr. Strange and Groot reward the players for outside-the-box thinking by creating lethal choke points with Groot’s walls or fooling the enemy team to go through a dangerous portal using Dr. Strange.
The Cons
The game is great but like anything, has its faults; but not in the way you would expect. I cannot think of one mistake regarding the gameplay which should be a testament to the game’s design, on the other hand, the game’s servers could use serious improvements. Constant high ping is regular and is likely caused by the surprising number of players and any given time, but this still doesn’t make it okay. The second problem I had with the game were the players; people just don’t want to play the supporting roles which, as I mentioned before, are essential to winning games. The last main problem is more of a subjective issue—the game is extremely hectic, oftentimes to the point where it is hard to distinguish what is happening on your screen, which is not everyone’s forté.
The Competition
When it comes to the competitor’s, Marvel Rivals has quite outmatched everything in terms of player statistics. Overwatch 2’s peak player count is roughly 75,000 players throughout the span of its lifetime. Marvel Rivals has vastly blown that number out of the water with a staggering 489,000 player peak. Thought there are little differences in gameplay, Marvel Rivals is from a third person view where as Overwatch 2 is first person. The abilities in Marvel Rivals also make the Overwatch 2 abilities seem a bit lackluster; Rivals just has a bit more flair and creativity. Furthermore, Marvel Rival’s voice acting is also exceptional and very memorable.
Conclusion
Marvel Rivals is a game that will likely remain popular for quite some time. The constant addition of new characters keeps the game fresh, and the desire to play as your favorite Marvel heroes ensures its lasting appeal. Additionally, the game has already begun building a competitive scene, which suggests it has potential for a strong, long-term presence. Even if you’re not a die-hard Marvel fan, the gameplay can still be enjoyed due to its fast-paced nature and the satisfaction of pulling off creative plays. On the other hand, its chaotic gameplay might not be for everyone, especially those who prefer a more methodical and less hectic experience. If you enjoy team-based shooters and want to experience something with a bit more flair, Marvel Rivals is definitely worth checking out.
Loved the article! I’m looking for other Christian players to play with on competitive. I’m struggling to find people with like minds. I am currently grandmaster and main winter soldier, but can also play support or tank as needed. Loki and the Thing are my typical choices. If you want, ease reach out to me.