Nearly halfway through its first full season, Marvel Rivals continues to dominate the competitive multiplayer scene. Season 1 surpassed 560,000 concurrent players on its first day, and has made several popular additions to the game. Besides new maps, game modes, and cosmetics, Season 1 will add a total of four characters to Marvel Rivals' original roster of 33 Marvel heroes and villains.
The first two characters added to the game in Marvel Rivals Season 1 were Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. The Thing and the Human Torch are already confirmed to arrive in the next wave of characters on February 21, which marks Season 1's halfway point. The wide array of playable characters from all throughout Marvel history is Marvel Rivals' biggest draw. Not only can players take on the roles of popular heroes like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, but the game has also introduced non-comic fans to lesser-known Marvel characters like Jeff the Land Shark, Luna Snow, and Cloak & Dagger. Given the popularity of its more obscure characters, Marvel Rivals should go all in on one of the wackiest characters from Marvel Comics.
Marvel Rivals' Team-Ups Could Be the Key to Future Character Additions
Marvel Rivals uses team-ups to represent character relationships through gameplay, and they could be the key to future additions and balance patches.
Bringing Howard the Duck to Marvel Rivals
The Origin of Howard the Duck
First appearing in Marvel Comics' Journey Into Fear #19 back in 1973, Howard the Duck was written by Steve Gerber as a comedic character whose adventures would parody other popular comics at the time. Howard is a 3-foot tall bipedal duck from an alternate dimension of anthropomorphic animals who found himself stranded on Earth-616 due to some cosmic hijinks involving a demon. Despite his cynical nature, Howard decided to put his skills to use in the mainline Marvel universe and become a hero. His escapades have put him up against some of the world's weirdest villains, such as Doctor Bong, Bessie the Hellcow, and Kidney Lady.
Howard the Duck's Appearances in Other Media
Though Howard the Duck's first adaptation outside of comics — Willard Huyck's 1986 Howard the Duck movie — was less than stellar, the cult hero has made somewhat of a comeback in recent years. After appearing as a cameo in the first Guardians of the Galaxy film, Howard was featured as a minor character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Endgame, and What If...? It's unknown if or when Howard will make his next MCU appearance, but in the meantime, his next adaptation should be in Marvel Rivals.
Why Howard Would Be a Great Fit For Marvel Rivals
Many of Marvel Rival's upcoming characters — from officially announced characters like the Thing and the Human Torch to leaked characters like Blade and Ultron — are fairly straight forward. They're all popular characters with powers and skills that are easy to adapt to an action game like Marvel Rivals. But with Marvel Rivals' comedic dialogue and the positive reception to goofier characters like Jeff and Squirrel Girl, a meme-worthy character like Howard seems like the perfect addition.
There are many directions that the Marvel Rivals team could go with Howard the Duck. He likely wouldn't be a vanguard — though that would be quite the sight — but his diminuative stature could make him an ideal strategist like Rocket Raccoon. Given the current triple healer meta in Marvel Rivals, a team with three tiny, nimble strategists like Howard, Rocket, and Jeff would be a simultaneously hilarious and dangerous combo. Then again, Howard's penchant for firearms and his proficiency in Quack-Fu could make him the game's wildest duelist — not that the game necessarily needs another one. Whatever form he takes, Howard is a character that NetEase may want to add to its road map.
Marvel Rivals
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- December 6, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!
A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster
Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.
Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there's never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.
Dynamic Hero Synergy
Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot's back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man's armor for massive damage, and so much more!
Creative Environment Destruction
Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!
Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates
The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
