Summary
- Marvel Rivals impresses hero-shooter fans with engaging gameplay and popular characters, hinting at a possible early launch in 2025.
- The game could benefit from incorporating Overwatch's 'Play of the Game' feature to highlight impactful moments and enhance player experience.
- While already featuring Highlights, Marvel Rivals should consider showcasing the best play of the match to give all players their moment to shine.
Marvel Rivals has quickly attracted the hero-shooter community with its engaging 6v6 gameplay, familiar characters, and distinctive abilities. Although Marvel Rivals isn't expected to exit playtesting until Q1 or Q2 of 2025, the Closed Beta's Competitive Mode data hints at a possible Season 0 launch as early as October. However, whether this indicates an early official release or simply another beta phase remains uncertain. There's also a possibility that the data is misleading, and the countdown was a randomly generated integer.
Regardless, with Marvel Rivals showing strong potential so early on, it seems the third-person shooter needs only a few minor tweaks before it's ready for release. For instance, while it has been praised for its impressive visuals and Team-Up abilities, Marvel Rivals could still benefit from role lock and a reworked post-match approach. These adjustments could help refine the overall gameplay experience while addressing feedback from the player base.
Marvel Rivals Could Benefit From Adopting A Post-Game Feature From Overwatch
Overwatch's 'Play of the Game' Would Transition Perfectly to Marvel Rivals
It's apparent that Marvel Rivals draws some inspiration from Overwatch, but it's also carving out its own identity within the genre. While the game appears to deliberately sidestep some of the issues that have plagued Overwatch 2, it's not perfect. As such, there's still ample room for NetEase Games to learn from hero-shooter titles that came before it.
One feature that Marvel Rivals should consider incorporating is Overwatch's 'Play of the Game' system. At the end of a match, this highlight briefly showcases a player who successfully executed a game-changing play. Determined by Blizzard's algorithm, the 'Play of the Game' doesn't always involve multiple kills, as there are various types of highlights, including:
- High Score: Displays significant killstreaks, multi-kills, or environmental kills.
- Lifesaver: Highlights actions taken to prevent the elimination of one or more teammates.
- Shutdown: Features a play that eliminates an enemy using an Ultimate ability.
- Sharpshooter: Showcases difficult kills, judged by speed, accuracy, and other factors.
Though Marvel Rivals employs a similar system, there are notable differences. For example, at the end of a game, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Second Valuable Player (SVP) are featured on the scoreboard. Typically, Marvel Rivals' MVPs are chosen based on their overall performance, including factors such as kill count, damage output, damage mitigation, or low death count. SVPs are seemingly selected based on similar statistics but are often regarded as the 'runner-up' to the MVP in these scenarios.
While both MVP and SVP titles can go to players on the same team, the MVP and SVP might also be from opposing teams.
Marvel Rivals Could Highlight the Most Impactful Play in a Match
In a title where players control Marvel superheroes and villains, emphasizing exceptional plays and giving players their moment to shine should be a top priority. With the game already featuring Highlights, it seems the technology to incorporate a 'Play of the Game' after a match already exists. However, this doesn't mean that 'Play of the Game' should replace Highlights, which let players view standout instances from others. This concept is already innovative and deserves recognition for giving all players time in the spotlight.
"With the game already featuring Highlights, it seems the technology to incorporate a 'Play of the Game' after a match already exists."
Furthermore, while MVPs and SVPs are usually determined by top-performing statistics, it doesn't guarantee that a 'Play of the Game' will go to the MVP or either of the top players. Despite the prestige of these honors, a standout play could still be recognized by someone else. To illustrate, a game-changing mass resurrection by Adam Warlock or a well-timed ultimate ability from Luna Snow could be featured. Thankfully, players can already view and download their own Highlights through the Career tab, but it would be nice if Marvel Rivals were to take the next step by broadcasting the best Highlight to all players at the end of a game.
Marvel Rivals
-
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
- 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
