July 24th 2024.
Today, GameCentral brings you a report from the first day of the Marvel Rivals beta, and it seems that the game may have taken inspiration from another popular title, Overwatch. Of course, it's not uncommon for games to borrow ideas from one another, but the similarities between the two are hard to ignore.
If we consider that the average video game takes around five years to develop, it's safe to say that anyone planning a new online shooter back in 2019 would have looked to Overwatch as a reference. Before the release of Overwatch 2 and Microsoft's acquisition of Blizzard, it was the go-to hero shooter and the obvious point of reference for anyone looking to create something that wasn't a Call Of Duty clone.
It's no surprise that Marvel Rivals drew inspiration from Overwatch, especially since the Marvel universe is full of superheroes who don't typically use guns. However, the developers found a way to incorporate ranged attacks, set the game in recognizable Marvel locations, and capitalize on the popular franchise.
Unfortunately, this approach leaves little room for artistic expression or creativity. It's almost as if the game was designed by marketing executives rather than game developers, which is a shame considering the potential of the Marvel universe.
Interestingly, Sony's Concord, which had its own beta earlier this month, also draws inspiration from Overwatch. However, unlike Marvel Rivals, Concord at least attempted to bring something new to the table and showed some thought and mechanical competency. Yet, despite this, Marvel Rivals' beta has been far more successful according to early Steam numbers.
Marvel Rivals' popularity is even more impressive when you consider that Concord's beta was open to everyone, whereas Marvel Rivals was invite-only. This success could be attributed to the power of the Marvel license, but given the recent failures of Marvel console games, it's safe to say that the game's marketing also played a significant role.
For those unfamiliar with Marvel Rivals, it's a 6v6 third-person shooter that allows players to choose from 21 different Marvel characters, including popular ones like Spider-Man and Iron Man, as well as lesser-known ones like Peni Parker and Luna Snow. The game's strongest feature is the variety of characters, each with their own unique abilities and references to their lore.
Additionally, the game has a dynamic hero synergy feature that rewards players for teaming up certain characters. This can range from simple buffs to unlocking new abilities. While some characters may seem unbalanced, this is a common issue for games in beta.
One of the game's main issues is its chaotic visuals, exacerbated by the third-person perspective and over-the-top attacks. Although the game is aiming to become an esports title, it's challenging to imagine anyone watching it for entertainment, as it's already challenging enough to make sense of what's happening while playing.
It's evident that Marvel Rivals wants to be seen as Overwatch with Marvel superheroes, but it differs in that much of the damage dealt isn't through traditional combat, but rather through special abilities and ultimates. This concept is excellent in theory, but in practice, it's often unclear whether players are doing damage or why they're taking so much.
Moreover, with many characters able to fly, wall climb, teleport, or turn invisible, the game has a steep learning curve and can feel random at first. However, this improves with more playtime, as is the case with most games. That being said, the lack of feedback when dealing and receiving damage is disappointing, and movement can feel imprecise and twitchy.
It's worth noting that Marvel Rivals gives the impression of a mobile game, which is unfortunate, as it's evident that publisher NetEase was trying to avoid this. However, the game's blatant similarities to Overwatch are hard to ignore, with almost identical game modes and maps, as well as similar sound effects and a commentator.
While some may argue that there are only so many ways to make a shooter, the lack of originality in Marvel Rivals is disheartening, especially considering the vast potential of the Marvel universe. It's clear that the developers took the easy route and simply reskinned Overwatch, which is evident in the few abilities that aren't copied from elsewhere.
Despite its flaws, Marvel Rivals is not a terrible game. It's free, and it has the Marvel name, which is enough to guarantee its success to some degree. However, it's not the new Overwatch, but rather a pale imitation. The game is available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, and while it may be free, it's important to manage your expectations before diving in.
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