As a seasoned gamer who’s seen my fair share of hero shooters, I must say that Marvel Rivals has truly left a lasting impression on me. With its comic book-inspired art style and a diverse roster of characters, it’s like stepping into a vibrant Marvel universe straight from the pages of a graphic novel.
There’s an argument to made that the hero shooter is a played-out genre. It’s a trend that started with Overwatch and has since seen a number of imitators, all coming out to dwindling returns. It would take something truly superheroic to break away from this funk and NetEase Games appears to have done so with Marvel Rivals.
As a gamer, I must confess, Marvel Rivals seems to have taken a leaf right out of Overwatch’s book. Yet, what truly sets it apart in the crowded gaming world is the unique way heroes are crafted for solo play and strategic teamwork. It’s an intriguing addition to the genre that has been growing increasingly dense.
Assemble
NetEase blends unique backstory and entertaining comic book motifs for the narrative of Marvel Rivals, where Doctor Doom finds himself entangled in a multiverse clash with his 2099 version. This confrontation has given birth to fresh realms, which are brimming with possibilities for various gameplay modes. Characters from different universes engage in combat across these realms, as a face-off with the Dooms is expected, although a solo player aspect hasn’t been implemented for this interaction yet.
In the near future, it’s anticipated that Marvel Rivals will offer an engaging single-player experience. At present, however, this game is all about multiplayer action, where teams of six engage in fierce competition against each other. The basic mechanics resemble those found in most hero shooters, with the initial roster of 33 characters playing as Duelists (Damage Per Second), Vanguards (tanks), or Strategists (healers). Unlike some games, there’s no rule dictating a specific number of roles within a team, allowing for creative team compositions. This flexibility is made possible by certain characters who possess abilities that straddle two roles, such as original character Luna Snow, who functions both as a healer and has the ability to freeze her enemies.
One enjoyable aspect of Rivals is discovering the abilities of all players and tailoring your strategy around them. You might find yourself investing quite a bit of time into this exploration, as all 33 characters are accessible from the start. Additionally, there’s an option to personalize settings for each character, offering unique configurations even for characters like Spider-Man who have distinct movement styles. However, it’s important to note that while move sets are generally straightforward, the game does delve into more intricate concepts.
The most interesting idea is Team-Ups, where certain characters will synergize with specific teammates to unlock additional buffs and effects. Hela, for example, can give some extra juice to her brothers, Thor and Loki. Luna Snow can help Iron Fist make the most of chi, unlocking buffs for both of them. Rocket can ride Groot or unlock some extra firepower with his spiritual brother-in-arms, The Punisher. Discovering these synergies and seeing what they do goes a long way in setting Marvel Rivals apart and the only negative is that there’s no real way to guarantee you’re going to see those bonuses from match-to-match. After all, you can’t force the rest of your team to pick the character that synergizes with your main. In this sense, Marvel Rivals is a game where it’s sometimes better to party up with friends and walk in with a game plan, especially as the game’s Competitive playlist unlocks.
Touring the multiverse
At launch, Marvel Rivals could offer numerous playable characters, but the diversity doesn’t stretch as far as match types and maps. Players can engage in three primary game modes through Quick Match. The first is Convoy, a simple payload mode; second, Domination, where teams compete for control over a point in a best-of-3 format; third, Convergence, in which teams attack various control points across a map. Additionally, there’s an Arcade-style mode called Conquest, featuring unique rules, for those seeking a change of pace. Lastly, a practice mode against AI opponents is available, perfect for beginners learning the nuances of each hero.
Initially, Marvel Rivals is anticipated to expand in the future; however, at its release, it offers a relatively limited selection of landscapes for players to explore. The game introduces versions of Tokyo 2099, Yggsgard, Wakanda, the Hydra Charteris Base, and the Klyntar symbiote world as playable maps. Unfortunately, the game’s variety is primarily confined to its characters, with a limited number of modes and few maps available. Despite their captivating visuals, players may find themselves growing tired of repeated visits to Tokyo 2099.
A notable advantage of this game’s maps is that they’re destructible, a feature powered by Unreal Engine 5. This allows buildings, platforms, and walls to crumble under intense fire, which is quite thrilling given that there seems to be no Damage Control in this world. As a result, players are forced to stay mobile and minimize camping, making the game more dynamic and enjoyable.
The intriguing aspect of this destructible landscape lies in its ability to regenerate itself over time. This regeneration serves a storytelling purpose since it’s revealed that Galacta, the offspring of Galactus known as the world-eater, is responsible for rebuilding the world. This feature adds depth to longer gaming sessions by encouraging players to watch for newly created favorable positions and ensuring there’s always something new to destroy. After all, a key aspect of the comic book experience involves destroying battlefields without mercy.
On your left
Marvel Rivals stands out among hero shooter games, not by introducing groundbreaking features, but rather by executing the small details exceptionally well, placing it above its competitors. Its art style, reminiscent of comic books, offers a refreshing contrast to the more cinematic approach taken in recent Marvel gaming productions. The characters are engaging and their interactions during game breaks add an enjoyable layer to the experience.
One thing that makes Rivals stand out is its absence of exploitative microtransactions, a feature that often spells doom for free-to-play games like this one. Unlike many others in its category, all 33 characters are available for play from the very start, without any pay-to-win mechanics. The Battle Passes only provide cosmetic items, ensuring fair gameplay for all players.
Currently, Marvel Rivals is an impressive entry into the competitive field of hero shooter games. Given how crowded this genre is, it’s hard to believe a newcomer could make waves, yet NetEase has succeeded with their varied cast of heroes, unique monetization strategy, and use of destructible environments. I’m looking forward to seeing how this game evolves in the future, and I’m curious about where it will be by this time next year. For now, though, its debut is nothing short of brilliant.
This assessment is derived from my experiences playing the game ahead of its official launch, both on a private server for PC (graciously granted by the publisher) and post-launch on PlayStation 5. Marvel Rivals has just been released and can be played on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It’s important to note that it is free-to-play, and it carries a T rating.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-09 21:28