Summary
- Marvel Rivals updates often based on player feedback, improving character balancing and game systems.
- Free skins in Marvel Rivals surpass Overwatch 2, offering unique, desirable cosmetics for players.
- Players appreciate Marvel Rivals' commitment to providing high-quality free skins, making grinding for them more appealing.
Since its release last December, Marvel Rivals has skyrocketed in popularity. It first gained traction by combining the 6v6 hero shooter format popularized by Overwatch with a roster of popular Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine. However, as the game continues to grow, Marvel Rivals' prioritization of the playerbase has become one of its most appealing aspects.
With each of the game's updates, Marvel Rivals' development team has made noticeable changes to address fan demands and overall quality of life. Characters and their team-ups are regularly rebalanced; in-game systems like rankings and the UI have been tweaked; and in one of their frequently released Dev Vision videos, the team has confirmed that they will soon be decreasing the length of seasons to ensure that players get new content at a faster rate. Marvel Rivals has also received praise for its handling of certain cosmetic items — especially when compared to Overwatch 2.
Marvel Rivals' Upcoming Spider-Man Suit Opens The Door For a Whole World of Crossovers
Marvel Rivals' recently announced Spider-Man skin may have opened the door to a plethora of new exciting crossover and tie-in costumes.
How Marvel Rivals Delivers on Free Skins
Though the majority of Marvel Rivals' cosmetics can only be obtained through the in-game store, a surprising number of free skins have been made available for players to unlock just by playing the game. Each season has offered up multiple free Marvel Rivals skins that can be obtained by participating in events, reaching Gold 3 in ranked, or completing certain pages of the battle pass. When the game first released, the developers made the Iron Man Armor Model 42 skin free to claim for anyone, and the Spider-Man Scarlet Spider skin is still free for anyone who downloads the game on the PlayStation Store.
Marvel Rivals' Free Skins Compared to Overwatch 2's
Even before its release, Marvel Rivals has consistently been compared to Overwatch 2. Both are free-to-play hero shooters with similar modes and character archetypes. However, despite having less content than the popular Blizzard game, many Overwatch 2 players jumped ship to Marvel Rivals. Besides being a newer, shinier game, Marvel Rivals quickly addressed a major frustration that has plagued Overwatch 2 fans in regard to skins.
Ever since its shift to a controversial free-to-play model, Overwatch 2 has seen a drastic increase in monetization compared to the first game. Cosmetics are on the pricier side, and previous seasons have limited the amount of free credits that OW2 players can earn. Not only does Marvel Rivals provide players with plenty of opportunities to unlock in-game credits for free, but the free skins that players can unlock tend to be much more desirable than those in Overwatch 2.
Being able to unlock the occasional free skin in Overwatch 2 is a nice counterweight to the game's more costly cosmetics, but many of these free skins end up being older skins or simple palette swaps of characters' default skins. However, in Marvel Rivals, many of the free skins on offer are unique skins that significantly change up a character's look. Outfits like Thor's Reborn from Ragnarok skin or Wolverine's Patch skin are not only visually distinct cosmetics but also represent some of the characters' most popular outfits from the comics. These easily could have been premium cosmetics, so making skins like these free to earn not only gets goodwill for Marvel Rivals, but it makes the prospect of grinding out for a skin much more appealing than it is to unlock a simple recolor skin in Overwatch 2.
Marvel Rivals
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- December 6, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
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!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
