Marvel Rivals was finally released on December 6th with a full roster of 33 characters. This game is a Hero Shooter title, prioritizing teamwork between iconic Marvel characters. It offers numerous fun gimmicks for fans to sink their teeth into. The game has made plenty of noise for Marvel fans and shooter enthusiasts. Overwatch fans, in particular, are testing the game out to see what makes it unique. Here’s what Marvel Rivals have that made gamers become their new favorite game.
What is ‘Rivals’?
Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 third-person Hero Shooter title developed by NetEase Games. A notable example of this formula is Overwatch and Overwatch 2. In Rivals, you play as a hero or villain character with a diverse set of skills. Much like Overwatch, Marvel Rivals focuses on team fights. Your abilities can help turn the tide and support your teammates, guaranteeing you the win.
Marvel Rivals has many game modes for players to web swing onto. Convoy forces your team to escort the payload or intercept it. Convergence plays similarly to Convoy but with a few differences. Players must capture three areas to score points. Whoever has the most points is the team that wins. The game also provides diverse maps for players to utilize for these game modes. Areas like the futuristic Shin-Shibuya, the mythical Asgard, and the unfamiliar Klyntar are beautifully brought to life.
33 Characters And Counting
There are three classes at the center of Marvel Rivals’ gameplay. Dualists are damage-heavy classes that are built like glass cannons. Strategists are supporters who can heal and buff their teammates. Vanguards are defensive characters that work like damage sponges.
Rivals launched its game with at least 33 characters for players. The roster has much to offer newcomers, but it is lacking in some parts. 18 Duelists are available for players. Compared to the Dualist class, there are less Strategists and Vanguard. This can create a point of contention for many fans. In my opinion, adding more strategists and vanguards could better round out the game’s collection.
Vanguards
- Captain America
- Doctor Strange
- Groot
- Hulk
- Magneto
- Peni Parker
- Thor
- Venom
Duelists
- Black Panther
- Black Widow
- Hawkeye
- Hela
- Iron Fist
- Iron Man
- Magik
- Moon Knight
- Namor
- Psylocke
- The Punisher
- Scarlet Witch
- Spider-Man
- Squirrel Girl
- Star-Lord
- Storm
- Winter Soldier
- Wolverine
Strategists
- Adam Warlock
- Cloak & Dagger
- Jeff the Land Shark
- Loki
- Luna Snow
- Mantis
- Rocket Raccoon
What Makes Rivals Work?
At first glance, Marvel Rivals can be seen as another Overwatch clone. The game plays with many of the same elements and ideas. You have different game modes that you can play through. The game’s characters are divided into three classes that offer flexible changes. Overwatch players have seen these same ideas over and over again. Dismissing Rivals as nothing worth your time is easy.
The game mechanics and folklore hero designs shows love and appreciation from its developers. This competitive hero PvP offers many benefits to fans. The characters all feel diverse and flexible. Gamers can play whatever they want without feeling pressured or confined to a role. There is so much love going through Marvel Rivals as a title. NetEase Games put in a lot of effort when building the game.
How Rivals Can Maintain its Momentum
Marvel Rivals is an interesting game but has a long way to go. The game has a diverse pool of characters. Each character feels unique and fine-tuned for their Class. Spider-Man, for example, is an excellent duelist due to his diving potential and ranged options. There are still plenty of untapped characters who could join the roster. Ghost Rider, the Fantastic Four, and Daredevil are potential choices that Marvel Rivals could pursue.
Overall, Marvel Rivals feels like a love letter to Marvel fans. The game has a way to go, but it’s made a solid impact. Fans can look forward to seeing how the game shapes up with season 0. If you are still waiting, then Marvel Rivals is a fun opportunity to dive into Marvel gaming. At its current stage, the game feels especially helpful for newcomers to the Hero Shooter genre. In addition, the game is offering free skins for players, including a Scarlet Spider skin for PS gamers.
