Marvel Rivals is the first successful game the company Marvel Games has released. Ever since its announcement in 2024, fans have been eager to know if this game would end the curse of Marvel games being bad. Marvel Rivals displays a strong roster of popular and iconic Marvel characters, dynamic combat, and beautiful environments. Will this game continue to thrive, or is it just another cash grab?
Gameplay
Marvel Rivals is a fast-paced six vs. six PVP game that involves many heroes. It is supported on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. All the heroes in this game bring their own unique designs and abilities, much similar to the games “Overwatch” and “Apex Legends.” The heroes can react to their environment based on their abilities, whether it is a uni-beam from Iron-Man or Hulk’s great “Hulk Smash”, the map will undergo great destruction. Each character in the game comes with a unique set of abilities plus an Ultimate ability that charges over time.
Characters
The game provides the players with three different types of hero categories to choose from: a “vanguard,” a “Duelist” and a “strategist.” Vanguards are heavy-duty, beefy characters who serve the purpose of “tanking” attacks presented by the opposing team. Vanguards serve a purpose to push forward and guard their team. The second option available for players to choose is the duelist role. Duelists are characters who serve the purpose of dealing the most damage to the other team. These characters are typically played the most since they are some of the more aggressive characters in the game and players normally think they’re “cooler”.
The last option is the “strategist,” also known as the healer. The strategists stay in the backline and focus mainly on healing all their teammates. This role is the most important when it comes to making or breaking a team. Although this role is very critical to the team, many players often don’t enjoy playing it because it is simply too boring.
Interview
Now that the basic overview of “Marvel Rivals” has been outlined, two players have been interviewed on their opinions on the game. Luke Andrew Berard is a Senior who has never played or even seen the game. On the other hand, Krish Kapoor, also a senior, has been playing the game ever since its release on Dec 6.
What do newcomers and experienced hero shooter fans think about the game? Does it have the power to stay relevant, or will it fade into obscurity like the other Marvel failures?
Here is what Berard, a new player to the game, had to say:
“Overall very good,” he said when asked about his first impressions. “I liked the variety of characters and all the different combos that you can perform. The UI was also very well polished and neat looking.”
Despite enjoying his time with the game, Berard admitted that he likely wouldn’t continue playing. “Although I enjoyed my time with the game, I will probably not play it again. I’m not that interested in hero shooters, so this is not really my type of game. Now, I want to reiterate that it is a very good game that most people love, but it’s just simply not for me. I prefer looter shooters and more single-player games.”
When it comes to the game’s overall design, Berard praised its visuals and mechanics. “I think that overall the game is designed very well. Obviously, there are some balance issues, but those can and will eventually be corrected. Outside of balancing, the game looks amazing and runs smoothly.”
As for “Marvel Rivals’” lasting ability, Berard is optimistic. “This game will last because it is a very good game that is better than all other hero shooters on the market. Additionally, “Marvel Rivals” has developed a passionate fanbase who will follow the game no matter what happens to it.”
Even though hero shooters aren’t his genre of choice, Berard still recommends the game to others. “I would definitely recommend “Marvel Rivals” to anyone who loves hero shooters and also anyone who loves Marvel. Even people who don’t like those two things may love “Marvel Rivals” —it’s that good of a game.”
Let’s now look at the perspective of Kapoor, who has quite the experience with Marvel Rivals:
“At first, I was not very impressed and thought it would be another six vs six shooter flop,” he admitted.
However, after playing the game, his opinion quickly changed. “I will definitely continue to play this game because of its engaging gameplay and fun characters.”
Kapoor believes one of the game’s strongest aspects is its design. “I think the designs might be one of the best parts of the game. They are just so streamlined and modern, the maps are pretty, and the designs of characters are true to their comics.”
When asked if “Marvel Rivals” will stand the test of time, Kapoor had no doubts. “Yeah, I definitely do. “Marvel Rivals” is so enjoyable, and after the repeated failure of other hero shooters, this is the game countless players have been looking for.”
His overall experience with the game has been nothing short of fantastic. “I’ve had tons of fun with my friends, and I’m here to stay thanks to the awesome gameplay.”
Kapoor also highly recommends the game, saying, “I would most definitely recommend “Marvel Rivals” to all my friends if I could. It’s great to come home and have a good time with friends, and I’d want as many people to experience this game as possible.”
The Future?
As of now, “Marvel Rivals” is doing great in terms of popularity and entertainment. The question is whether all of this immediate success will last for this young game. Just a couple of perspectives are not enough to describe this game, so make sure you try it out for yourselves and see if it really is worth all the hype.
