Summary
- Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 may be the next gaming rivalry in the shooter genre, drawing comparisons in design and gameplay features.
- Marvel Rivals borrows inspiration from Overwatch 2 but sets itself apart with a third-person perspective and new mechanics.
- Despite differences, tension brews between Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2, which will inevitably compete for the hero shooter playerbase.
Marvel Rivals is the latest addition to the hero shooter genre, and may compete with Overwatch 2 in a big way. Of course, Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 are hardly the first shooters to butt heads. Back in the early 2000s, the military shooter genre was still in its infancy, with the FPS genre having only been popularized in 1993 with the release of Doom. Though Rainbow Six and Medal of Honor were some of the most influential single-player military shooters, the Battlefield franchise broke new ground in the multiplayer space. While Battlefield had a grip on the military shooter space for a while, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare quickly changed that, and a fierce rivalry began.
But the gaming industry has changed a lot in the last two decades or so. While Call of Duty maintains its top spot in the multiplayer shooter scene, Battlefield has fallen down a few rungs on the ladder, with Battlefield V and Battlefield 2042 hurting the brand's image quite a bit. The once burning rivalry between Battlefield and Call of Duty is now just a mere spark, and it's time the torch was passed on to a new set of competitors, and Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 might fit the bill.
Marvel Rivals: Who is Luna Snow?
Marvel Rivals may be the first time many players will meet Luna Snow, a Korean pop idol-turned-superhero who can manipulate ice.
Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 May Be The Newest Gaming Feud
Marvel Rivals Bears a Striking Resemblance to Overwatch 2
Announced on March 27, Marvel Rivals is an upcoming 6v6 hero shooter that's set to launch a closed Alpha test in May. Much like any other contemporary hero shooter, from the moment Marvel Rivals was first announced, it was instantly compared to Overwatch 2, and in all fairness, those inspirations are obvious. Though Overwatch was far from the first game to use the hero shooter concept, it did revolutionize the genre back upon its debut in 2016, and naturally, Marvel Rivals has "borrowed" a few key design ideas from it.
The general structure of Marvel Rivals closely resembles Overwatch 2, with players assuming the roles of various heroes and villains from across the Marvel universe to form teams of six, tasked with completing a specific team-based objective. Each playable hero and villain will have a unique method of attack, along with a set of abilities and an Ultimate. Though all character abilities shown in Marvel Rivals' announcement trailer make complete sense for their respective hero or villain, a few do appear similar to certain Overwatch abilities, such as Loki's ability to echo other characters' abilities, and Doctor Strange's ability to open portals across the map. Even the visual designs of certain characters like Peni Parker bear a close resemblance to Overwatch characters like D.Va.
That all being said, Marvel Rivals is far from just a carbon copy of Overwatch 2. For a start, Marvel Rivals will be played from a third-person perspective, which sets it apart from Overwatch immediately. Marvel Rivals will also feature destructible environments, along with maps that are heavily themed around the source material. Furthermore, Marvel Rivals will have a unique team-up mechanic whereby certain characters can synergize their abilities, such as the Hulk granting Iron Man a burst of Gamma radiation to use in his repulsors.
Tension Is Already Brewing Between Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2
But while their differences have already been made clear, that hasn't stopped people comparing Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2, and that discourse probably won't die down anytime soon, especially with Blizzard seemingly pouring fuel on the fire. Moments after Marvel Rivals debuted its first trailer, Overwatch 2 announced its newest hero. While this could just be a sheer coincidence, it does play into the narrative that's already forming, a narrative that pits Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 as the newest gaming rivals.
Marvel Rivals
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
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!
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
