Marvel Rivals, NetEase's response to the likes of Overwatch, has been picking up steam since it launched earlier this month. A bevy of unique and iconic characters to play as, satisfying combat fundamentals, and dazzling, if not exactly original, arenas combine to form the backbone of Marvel Rivals, while special features like team-ups and the lack of a role queue help set it apart from its contemporaries.
The gulf between Marvel Rivals and other hero/team shooters has recently widened thanks to the new surrender feature. At any point during a match, a team can vote to surrender, and if a majority votes in favor, then the obvious happens. Crucially, surrendered games don't incur a disconnect penalty, making the option a solid choice for those who see the writing on the wall and wish to get out early. Proponents of this feature have cited this penalty, alongside more significant issues like an unbalanced meta, as justifications for its inclusion, but not everyone is over the moon about it.
Marvel Rivals’ Star-Lord Doesn’t Need It, But Could Flourish with a Neat Team-Up Ability
Marvel Rivals' Star-Lord is already a fairly strong character, and yet, like others, he's arguably underutilized when it comes to Team-Ups.
The Surrender Feature Splits the Marvel Rivals Community
Potential Issues Posed by the Marvel Rivals Surrender Feature
Gaming audiences tend to generate a diverse range of opinions whenever a live-service title institutes a major change, but in the case of the Marvel Rivals surrender feature, detractors may have some particularly good points. Yes, adding the option to vote in favor of a surrender could arguably make for a smoother overall experience, as players can regain a sense of control rather than just awaiting domination in a bleak situation, but it could also encourage hopelessness.
Consider, for instance, a group of new players seeking unranked matches in Marvel Rivals. They are inexperienced with the hero shooter genre, and still learning the basics. In a game like Overwatch, losses force new players to learn the intricacies of each character and the game as a whole, prompting continued growth. But if there is an option to simply surrender whenever one feels that things are headed south, then new players may not actively push themselves to master the gameplay, resulting in a dynamic where players only stick around in games where they are leading by a mile. The fostering of this defeatist mentality is what critics of Marvel Rivals' surrender feature have railed against.
It's worth noting how this feature could impact inter-team dynamics as well; it can be frustrating for an individual who wants to push ahead and turn the tide of battle to be matched with a group who wants to cut their losses and surrender.
Marvel Rivals' Team Surrender Is Likely Here to Stay
Like so many things in gaming, as in life, it's impossible to classify the new surrender feature as objectively good or bad for Marvel Rivals. The aforementioned concerns of toxic negativity and poor team dynamics are certainly valid, but they can be easily countered by arguments based on connectivity issues and poor in-game balancing—and indeed, they have. In other words, there are positives to the feature, as it's essentially just a way to duck out of a game without incurring a disconnect penalty. If a player really wanted to quit, and they didn't have the option to vote on a surrender, they could do so at a relatively minor cost.
What will be more interesting to see is how the Marvel Rivals community reacts to this feature in the long term. It's still a fairly fresh addition, so there's no telling how it will shape the dynamic of the game in the coming weeks and months. NetEase could even alter the surrender system over time, perhaps adding penalties for failed votes or restricting voting to certain circumstances.
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
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- How Long To Beat
- 7.5 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 20 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
