Marvel Rivals: Everything We Know About the Exciting New Superhero Shooter
Marvel fans and gamers alike have reason to be excited – a new team-based superhero shooter called Marvel Rivals is on the horizon. Developed by NetEase in collaboration with Marvel Games, this free-to-play title aims to bring frantic 6v6 action featuring beloved Marvel characters to PC and consoles. Let’s dive into everything we know so far about this highly anticipated game.
What is Marvel Rivals?
Marvel Rivals is an upcoming free-to-play 6v6 hero shooter that puts players in control of iconic Marvel superheroes and villains. Unlike traditional hero shooters like Overwatch, Marvel Rivals utilizes a third-person perspective, allowing players to get a better view of their chosen character in action.
The game is being developed by NetEase, a studio with developers who have previously worked on major franchises like Battlefield and Call of Duty. This expertise in multiplayer shooters, combined with the rich Marvel universe, promises an exciting and polished gaming experience.
Story and Setting
While the main focus of Marvel Rivals is on PvP action, there is a loose plot tying the game’s events together. The story revolves around a conflict between the tyrannical Doctor Doom and his future counterpart from the year 2099. Their clash has caused multiple universes to collide in what’s called the Timestream Entanglement, creating new worlds and crises.
This multiversal upheaval serves as the backdrop for the game, explaining why heroes and villains from different universes and timelines are fighting alongside and against each other. Players will battle across various iconic Marvel locations, including a futuristic Tokyo and Asgard.
Gameplay
Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 team-based shooter played from a third-person perspective. The user interface is reminiscent of Overwatch, with health and shields displayed at the bottom of the screen and special abilities shown in the bottom right corner.
Characters will have a mix of melee and ranged attacks, depending on their abilities. The game will feature at least two confirmed game modes at launch:
- Control – A king of the hill-style mode
- Escort – A payload-style mode
One of the most exciting aspects of Marvel Rivals is the environmental destruction feature. Players will be able to reshape the terrain and destroy parts of the map, adding a dynamic element to battles and potentially changing the flow of matches.
Team-Up Abilities
A unique feature of Marvel Rivals is the Team-Up system. This allows two characters to combine their powers for devastating attacks. Some examples include:
- Hulk infusing Iron Man with energy for a massive beam attack
- Rocket Raccoon riding on Groot’s back for combined assaults
- Venom and the Spider-Totems uniting into a Venomized force
- Adam Warlock boosting the psychic abilities of Mantis and Star-Lord
These Team-Up abilities promise to add an extra layer of strategy and excitement to matches.
Characters
Marvel Rivals boasts an impressive roster of characters from across the Marvel multiverse. Here are some of the confirmed playable heroes and villains:
- Iron Man
- Spider-Man
- Black Panther
- Hulk
- Doctor Strange
- Scarlet Witch
- Magneto
- Storm
- Rocket Raccoon
- Groot
- Star-Lord
- Loki
- Punisher
- Venom
- Adam Warlock
- Peni Parker
- Luna Snow
- Magik
- Namor
- Mantis
- Galactus
Each character will have unique abilities and playstyles. For example, Venom is described as a Tank-like Vanguard character with incredible mobility, while Adam Warlock is a Strategist who can link with teammates to share incoming damage and even revive them.
Release Date and Platforms
While an official release date for Marvel Rivals has not been announced, industry estimates suggest it could launch in Q1 or Q2 of 2025. The game is confirmed for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
A closed beta test is scheduled for July 2024, which will be available on all three platforms with crossplay support. This beta will be significantly larger than the previous alpha test, with servers expanding to cover North America, Europe, and Asia.
What to Expect in the Closed Beta
The upcoming closed beta will offer players a chance to experience Marvel Rivals before its official release. Here’s what we know about the beta:
- New playable characters: Adam Warlock and Venom
- New map: Tokyo 2099: Spider-Islands
- Crossplay support between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
- Multiple language options
- Improved 60-tick rate servers
- New Cosmic Selection pick/ban system for ranked play
- Past Lives system (KO camera)
The Bottom Line
Marvel Rivals is shaping up to be an exciting addition to both the hero shooter genre and the world of Marvel games. With its diverse cast of characters, unique Team-Up abilities, and destructible environments, it promises to offer a fresh take on team-based multiplayer action.
As we await more information and the upcoming beta test, fans can look forward to experiencing the thrill of battling alongside their favorite Marvel heroes and villains in this ambitious new title. Whether you’re a longtime Marvel enthusiast or simply a fan of competitive shooters, Marvel Rivals is definitely a game to keep on your radar in the coming months.
