Why Marvel Rivals' Knull May Become the Game's Most…

Summary

Knull may surpass Doom as Marvel Rivals' antagonist due to his cosmic powers spreading across galaxies.
Knull targets Groot for his restorative powers, aiming to create a force unstoppable even by heroes.
The battle between Doom and Knull in Marvel Rivals is not just about power but also about emotional resonance with fans.

In Marvel Rivals' attempt to be much more than a hero shooter, at the core of its gameplay is a story that centers around a catastrophic event called the "Timestream Entanglement." This event was caused by a clash between Doctor Doom and his 2099 counterpart, who have conflicting views on who is the rightful possessor of the Doom mantle, and the future of their homeland, Latveria. In this clash, a host of timelines were severed and forced to merge, creating Chronoverses that see an army of heroes and villains now with the choice of continuing in their conflict with one another or pursuing the greater good. While Doom and his 2099 counterpart are certainly the reason behind the Timestream Entanglement in Marvel Rivals, however, another Marvel antagonist may end up being more powerful than even him — Knull.

Every character in Marvel Rivals has a story, and that story ultimately plays into the overarching narrative of the game. The key character in Knull's Marvel Rivals story is Groot, whom Knull believes holds the key to multiversal dominance. Unfortunately, if Knull does manage to get his hands on Groot, it may not only see the collapse of planets but entire galaxies, as Knull's power is inherently cosmic in nature, unlike Doom's. This is what may eventually lead to Knull rising above Doom as Marvel Rivals' biggest antagonist, and he would likely be an unstoppable threat if his plan succeeds.

Why Marvel Rivals Is More Than Just Another Hero Game

Marvel Rivals may be yet another hero shooter game added to the already crowded genre, but it has plenty of unique details that distinguish it.

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By Josh Cotts

Why Knull Could Become Marvel Rivals' Most Powerful Antagonist

Unlike Doom, Knull's Potential for Destruction Spans Galaxies

At the end of the day, whether Knull or Doom ends up being the more powerful antagonist doesn't come down to the strength of their power, but down to the scale of their power. Unlike Doom, Knull's powers are inherently cosmic. Doctor Doom is incredibly intelligent and immensely powerful, but his power often only operates within planetary contexts. Knull, on the other hand, is powerful not necessarily because of the direct, physical damage he can do, but primarily because of the ability he has to subjugate and corrupt living beings from the inside out. Just as a contagious virus is capable of spreading between hosts, Knull can easily spread his influence throughout entire galaxies if he gets his hands on the right host.

Knull Wants to Corrupt Groot's Restorative Power in Marvel Rivals

As it turns out, in Marvel Rivals' story, Knull has his eyes on one of Marvel's most beloved characters: Groot. Knull believes that the life-giving and restorative powers of Groot will give him an unstoppable edge in dominance over the multiverse, should he be able to corrupt Groot. Groot's regenerative abilities combined with Knull's symbiotic essence would potentially create a force so deadly that even Marvel's greatest heroes and heroines would struggle to oppose it. Doom would even find it difficult to overpower Knull, as the longer his newfound power is left unchecked, the harder it is to reverse what he started.

At the end of the day, whether Knull or Doom ends up being the more powerful antagonist doesn't come down to the strength of their power, but down to the scale of their power.

In corrupting Groot, Knull would even become a powerful antagonist beyond the game itself, as Groot's corruption would emotionally resonate with fans on a level that many other characters in the Marvel universe would be unlikely to reach. Doom is certainly an iconic Marvel villain, but the main threat he poses is to the Marvel heroes and heroines who oppose him. However, Knull poses a threat to the players themselves, especially those who have allowed Groot to top the list of their favorite Marvel characters.

With the potential for Knull to leave a devastating mark, not just on the Marvel universe but on its fans as well, Marvel Rivals is shaping up to deliver a narrative that could have more of a lasting impact than it initially appears it will. In the end, the battle between Knull and Doom for the title of Marvel Rivals' most powerful antagonist doesn't hinge solely on their individual abilities but on how those abilities resonate within the game's story. Doom may be the primary architect behind Marvel Rivals' Timestream Entanglement, but Knull cunningly waits behind the scenes with his eyes on one of Marvel's most beloved characters, whose corruption would potentially spell even the end of Doom himself.

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Third-Person Shooter

Action

Multiplayer

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%

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Released: December 6, 2024
ESRB: T For Teen // Violence
Developer(s): NetEase Games
Publisher(s): NetEase Games

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Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!

A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster
Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.

Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there's never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.

Dynamic Hero Synergy
Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot's back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man's armor for massive damage, and so much more!

Creative Environment Destruction
Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!

Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates
The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!