I’ll just preface all of this by stating off the bat that I never played Overwatch, whether it be the original that gave rise to internet icons like xQc or the disaster that is Overwatch 2. With that out of the way, it’s MAHVEL, baby! (Shoutout to Yipes from the FGC.)
Marvel Rivals is a hero shooter developed by NetEase, released last December 5. It pits both Marvel heroes and villains against each other in team-based combat, striving for superheroics on the side of good or villainy on the side of evil.
What is it really?
If you’ve played any incarnation of Overwatch over the years or even Team Fortress 2—games you can find on Steam alongside Marvel Rivals—you already have an idea of how it plays. For the uninitiated who have never played hero shooters (such as myself), it’s a shooter featuring heroes with skills or abilities, each classified as either a Vanguard (tank), Duelist, or Strategist (support).
With over 33 playable characters—and more on the way—each with unique play styles and difficulty levels, you’re bound to find a character you’ll want to main eventually.
What modes are available in Marvel Rivals?
In Marvel Rivals, you and your five teammates go up against another team of six, securing objectives depending on the game mode. There are four modes: Convoy, Convergence, Domination, and Conquest.
Convoy
Your team is assigned as either attackers or defenders. As attackers, you’re tasked with bringing your convoy to the end goal, while defenders do everything they can to stop you. If you’ve played Team Fortress 2’s Payload mode, this will feel familiar.
Convergence
Similar to Convoy, but with checkpoints along the way, favoring attackers. Defenders can try to push the convoy back, but once a checkpoint is passed, the convoy can’t be pushed back further!
Domination
This mode involves maintaining control over a central point on the map. The first team to reach 100% wins the round. Unlike Convoy and Convergence, Domination revolves around protecting a stationary area, giving the advantage to defensive teams.
Conquest
The simplest mode. Both teams aim to collect 50 Chromium during the match. Chromium is earned through KOs, making this a KO fiesta. If the time limit expires without either team reaching 50, the one with the most Chromium wins.
What makes it cool?
What makes Marvel Rivals cool for me is how accessible it is for new players. The problem with established games is that unless the community is welcoming, the barrier for entry can be steep for newcomers. With a new game like this, accessibility is practically guaranteed.
For the nerd in me, it’s the clear love the developers have for the source material. The game includes team-up abilities—specific heroes (or villains) in the same squad can grant upgrades and additional skills. For example, teaming up Star-Lord, Mantis, and Adam Warlock from the Guardians of the Galaxy gives Mantis and Star-Lord a Guardian Revival ability.
The game also features nods to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other Marvel properties. As a fighting game enthusiast, seeing Cyan Venom from Marvel vs. Capcom made me nostalgic (even though you can’t unlock it anymore). Psylocke, straight out of Marvel Super Heroes, was a refreshing sight after her appearances in the Marvel Fighting Game Collection released a few months ago.
Cheeky inserts like the Fastball Special are also a delight to see—and use—but not to get hit by.
Is it fun?
Sometimes, you just want to turn your brain off and play. While I’m definitely not the best at FPS games—or gaming in general—it’s always a fun, lighthearted experience when I boot this game up, whether I’m solo or with friends.
The fun lies in pretending to be the character you’re playing. Even with a competitive mode, the cross-platform connectivity and casual modes make it easy to relax and enjoy. Matches last around 10 minutes, making it a perfect distraction.
The variety in character difficulty also makes it easy to get others to join in. If they’re having fun, isn’t that more than enough? Oh, and did I mention the game is FREE?
I also enjoy playing as Jeff the Land Shark because spitting water, shooting bubbles, and singing the Jaws theme is an absolute hoot.
Should I try it out?
If you have a PC or console that can handle the game, definitely give it a shot! It’s free, and the multiplayer experience is solid. The best time to play hero shooters is when they’re newly released.
