“MARVEL RIVALS”
Initial release date: December 6, 2024
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X/S
Mode: Singleplayer, Third Person & Survival
Genres: PvP, Competitive, Multiplayer & Hero Shooter

Rating: 9 out of 10 

If any players ever wanted to battle against their favorite Marvel characters then this game is sure to make their hopes and dreams come true! 

Marvel Rivals, released on Dec. 6, 2024, was a highly anticipated game that had players asking the age-old question about hero shooter games: “Is this a true hero shooter or just another showdown game?” 

The game is a PvP shooter, allowing players to choose from 33 unique characters from Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

This allows the players to choose the all-star super hero squad they have always wanted to see on the battlefield. When it comes to choosing characters, the players can use an ultimate which is an ability when fully charged players can activate a very powerful move that can either help out the team in succeeding the win or eliminate the enemy team.

In the game itself, some of the main points that can be broken down are the mechanics, art style, gameplay aspects, and the overall experience that the players will have the opportunity to practice while playing. To start, the mechanics are straightforward. Players are thrown into a team of six players allowing them to choose 1 of the 33 heroes and having a task that can vary. This can be moving an item from point A to point B or another game could be a game of King of the Hill, this is whenwhich has both teams battling each other to secure the point before time runs out. 

These game modes could get pretty repetitive after a couple of tries, which is why the developers of NetEase Games give the players a comparative option for those players who want a challenge. While in competitive mode the game will put the players into lobbies of other players that are based on their skills. 

The higher the rank, the tougher the opponents players will face. While this may sound intimidating, the game allows both teams to ban two characters for the duration of the match. 

This means teams can remove characters they don’t want to face, giving them a better chance of winning. The game has received many positive reviews for its engaging gameplay, but that’s not the only reason for its popularity. The art style is something most players can’t ignore. The characters and environments feature a sleek, comic book-inspired design, which serves as the backbone of the game’s visual appeal. 

Some of the other mechanics used in the game are when players request a team-up. Team-ups are a mechanic that allows the players to gain an extra move or ability that both players will gain if both players want to use the team-up. This could change the whole outcome of the game if the player is losing then a team-up could allow them to gain the upper edge in the game. 

When it comes to these team-ups the player may need to select one of the three main roles. These are as follows: Vanguards often called the tanks are characters that are the main defense and the front line of the team who push the other team. Duelists or Damage per second (DPS) are characters who help by dealing damage while also helping out the tanks if they are struggling against the enemy team. 

The last role is the Strategists who are supporting characters who are healers and help out their DPS and tank players whether it could be healing them or increasing the base damage the team is dealing with. 

Overall, Marvel Rival is a game that has the potential to revive the hero shooter genre that most players are known to play. If you ever wanted to fight against some of your favorite Marvel characters then this is the game for you.