Summary
- Marvel Rivals rank changes spark backlash due to rank reduction at midway through the season.
- Players are upset over the time needed to climb the ranks and feel discouraged by adjustments.
- The rank changes are coming with the February 21 update.
Marvel Rivals fans aren't thrilled about the game's upcoming changes to its ranked system, leading to considerable backlash online. Marvel Rivals has historically allowed fans to climb the ranks through each season, though the way players progress is all about to change. While players may be used to losing a few ranks with the start of a new season, Marvel Rivals will soon begin to reduce ranks even further, with developers announcing these will be adjusted in the middle of a season as well as at the start of one.
While primarily seen as an action-packed comic-book-inspired hero shooter geared toward more casual play, Marvel Rivals has cultivated a dedicated group of hardcore players since its launch. Filled with dozens of iconic characters, Marvel Rivals' impressive roster is only one piece of the puzzle, with the game also featuring a wide assortment of maps and game modes. Players can filter their experience through two channels: quick match and competitive, with the former being intended for more casual play and the latter being tailored toward those who are looking for more serious battles. While a sense of accomplishment is a nice reward, for most, the draw of ranked play in Marvel Rivals is the ranks, which developers confirmed will be changing soon.
Marvel Rivals Comments on PlayStation Network Outage
Marvel Rivals developer and publisher NetEase comments on the ongoing PlayStation Network outage, which rendered its game unplayable on the PS5.
When detailing new seasonal rank adjustments in Marvel Rivals' upcoming update, developer NetEase revealed that players' ranks will drop by six divisions at the start of each season and by another four during the halfway point. Previously, Marvel Rivals players have seen their ranks drop by seven tiers, but this only happened at the start of a new season. This change has proven quite controversial among fans, with a post from Reddit user Angry Raccoon44 labeling the update "truly devastating."
Marvel Rivals Players Push Back Against New Ranked Changes
The primary reason for controversy lies in the sheer amount of time and effort needed to hit the higher ranks in Marvel Rivals. "I can promise you NOBODY wants to have their rank reset halfway through every season," said the original poster. "People have JOBS. I don’t have the time to re rank up every few weeks." While intended to give players a clean slate at a faster rate, it may actually discourage players from trying so hard to climb the ranks of Marvel Rivals if they now have half as long to enjoy the spoils of their victories. A statement found on the official Marvel Rivals blog noted developers will "tune" this change as necessary, indicating it may be scaled back.
Marvel Rivals features a total of nine different ranked levels, ranging from Bronze all the way to the top level, which is named "One Above All." Marvel Rivals' next rank change will come packaged with its new February 21 update, which will also bring several other new tweaks and content updates for players to pour over. Season 1 of Marvel Rivals added half of The Fantastic Four to the roster, with both The Human Torch and The Thing set to drop in the game's upcoming February update.
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
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Limited - console crossplay, no PC crossplay
- Cross Save
- No
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Number of Players
- 1-6
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 7.5 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 20 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
