Summary
The leakedOverwatch-style 6v6 shooter based on Marvel Comics characters,Marvel Rivals, has now been officially announced. Besides projects likePaladins, Blizzard has been virtually unopposed in the hero shooter space since launchingOverwatchin 2016. However, it looks likeMarvel Rivalswill be a very serious contender to Blizzard’s team-based hero-shooter game.
Marvel Rivalsrumors have been swirlingthis past week, as leakers let the cat out of the bag ahead of the game’s official reveal. Much of what the leakers claimed about the game has turned out to be true, withMarvel RivalsfeaturingOverwatch-style 6v6 gameplay, but with a third-person perspective instead of first-person shooter action. The official reveal has offered even more details about the game and when fans can expect to play it.
Marvel Rivalsis coming as a collaboration between NetEase Games and Marvel Games, with a NetEase team comprised of formerBattlefieldandCall of Dutyveterans. Fans will have their first chance to try the game this coming May through its Alpha Test. So far,Marvel Rivalshas only been confirmed for release on PC, so those on consoles are being left out of the equation - at first, at least. The game’s story seesDoctor Doom battling his 2099 counterpartand causing a “Timestream Entanglement” from various universes colliding with each other.
Marvel Rivals Has 2 Major Features That Will Help It Stand Out
TheMarvel Rivalsroster will include Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Groot, Hulk, Iron Man, Loki, Luna Snow, Magik, Magneto, Mantis, Namor, Peni Parker, Rocket Raccoon, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Storm, Star-Lord, and The Punisher. Gameplay in the trailer lookshighly reminiscent ofOverwatch, but with some unique wrinkles that should helpMarvel Rivalsstand out from Blizzard’s game. Notably,Marvel Rivalsfeatures Team-Up Skillsthat let heroes work more directly together. Examples include Rocket Raccoon riding on Groot’s back and Hulk unleashing his Gamma Energy to power-up Iron Man’s armor.
Marvel Rivalsmaps will feature destructible environments, which will also help it establish itself apart from Blizzard’s game. Two maps have been confirmed forMarvel Rivalsso far, with a mapbased on Asgardand another based on 2099 Tokyo. More Marvel heroes and maps based on various locations from the Marvel universe will be added in the game’s seasonal updates.
Marvel Rivals Roster
Marvel Rivalslooks impressive so far, and it will be refreshing to have a more viable alternative toOverwatch. It will be interesting to see how the two hero-shooters compete, especially with Blizzard planning some big moves of its own with theupcomingOverwatch 2Season 10.
