Marvel Rivals is a superheroic work in progress

Marvel Rivals is a superheroic work in progress

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen the evolution of hero shooters from their humble beginnings to the titans they are today. Marvel Rivals, freshly entering the fray, has certainly caught my attention, especially as a die-hard Marvel fan. The teamwork aspect and synergy between characters harkens back to the days when X-Men: Children of the Atom ruled arcades, a nostalgic nod that warms my cold, gamer heart.


In considering renowned superhero groups such as the Avengers, people usually imagine them when they operate seamlessly as a team. However, fewer think about their early missions where they trip over each other, collide, and eventually end up in a heap in a corner while the villains escape. This accurately describes the closed beta for Marvel Rivals, which hints at its ability to become an impressive and powerful force if everyone collaborates. Naturally, since we’re talking about video games, cooperation is not always guaranteed.

The new game on the scene, Marvel Rivals, is adding more competition in the popular hero-shooter genre, particularly since Overwatch by Blizzard gained prominence. In this game, teams of six (a mix of Marvel heroes and villains) come together to fight, with each character falling into one of three categories: Vanguards who focus on defense, Duelists who deal damage, or Strategists who provide support.

Marvel Rivals is a superheroic work in progress

In Marvel Rivals, the intriguing aspect lies in how certain heroes and villains complement each other, and this synergy is crucial. You’ll notice enhanced benefits or boosts when two characters are on the same team. For instance, Rocket can ride Groot, Hela may empower Loki or Thor, Adam Warlock can swiftly revive fellow Guardians Star-Lord and Mantis, among others. These collaboration advantages are a delight for comic enthusiasts, suggesting that NetEase nailed it in terms of catering to fans’ expectations, effectively delivering fan service.

In Marvel Rivals, it’s important to note that only close friends or strategically-minded players will consider team-up buffs when choosing characters. Less experienced or solo-focused players may pick their characters without regard for the team composition, potentially leaving a less coordinated team at a disadvantage. This issue is common in most shooter games but might be more apparent in Marvel Rivals.

As a devoted fan, I must highlight one standout feature that truly distinguishes Marvel Rivals from others: the immersive, destructible environments. It’s a bold concept, reminiscent of games like The Finals, and when it works, it adds an exhilarating layer to gameplay. However, there have been moments where players found themselves trapped within debris from collapsed structures, leaving them vulnerable and essentially defenseless – a sitting duck in the heat of battle. If NetEase can iron out these kinks in their destructible environments, it would significantly enhance the unpredictability and engagement of each session, setting Marvel Rivals apart from other hero shooters on the market.

Another important aspect to consider about this sneak peek is that two fresh characters have recently been activated: Thor and Jeff the Miniature Land Shark. The Asgardian God of Thunder, Thor, as you might expect, is a massive, muscular brute who packs quite a punch. He seems a bit out of place as a Vanguard due to his ability to knock enemies off their feet with Mjolnir as a close combat strike. Of course, he can also throw Mjolnir ahead and retrieve it, giving him a return-like attack. Victory with Thor requires mastering the Thorforce passive mechanism, which amplifies the thunderer’s attacks, enabling him to deal more damage and attack from a distance with certain moves.

1. It takes a while to get the hang of playing with Thor. Frankly, I’m puzzled about how I managed to win MVP in the video above. From what I can tell, mastering the Thorforce mechanism is trickier than it appears.

It can be challenging to gauge Jeff’s role in the game since he appears as a reliable Support character who is expected to excel as the main healer, similar to Overwatch’s Mercy but underwater. However, his unique ability to defy physics sets him apart. He mainly focuses on keeping teammates healthy by emitting Healing Bubbles or using his Joyful Splash attack, which also restores allies’ health. In case of danger, he can quickly escape with the Hide and Seek skill, granting himself a speed boost.

One effective way to rephrase the given text is as follows:

Marvel Rivals is a superheroic work in progress

The Marvel Rivals closed beta demonstrates a lot of promise, yet there’s still a considerable distance to travel. Achieving balance, a common hurdle in hero shooters, will be tough, given that it may not only involve tweaking characters but also team-up synergies. Additionally, it’s crucial to iron out bugs, particularly those related to the destruction of environments as mentioned earlier. So far, I’ve been enjoying the closed beta and I’m excited to see what else NetEase plans for the game.

Marvel Rivals is coming soon to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

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2024-08-05 20:27