Marvel Rivals is the New Gold Standard for Live-Service…

It feels like almost every month, video game fans are introduced to a massive new live-service experience that is aiming to shake up the market. PlayStation attempted it with Concord, Rocksteady tried it with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Ubisoft wanted a slice of the market with Skull and Bones, and so on. There have been so many attempts over the years, with many of them failing to find their audience. Where those struggled to make an impact, however, Marvel Rivals seems to have hit all the right notes.

Some were skeptical about Marvel Rivals as its release date neared, as it seemed to be an Overwatch clone with Marvel characters, and the last Marvel live-service game, Marvel's Avengers, fell flat. While it definitely shares some similarities with Overwatch, the game is seemingly leagues ahead of most recent live-service game launches. Not only does Marvel Rivals have a ton of exciting content for players to explore at no charge, but its launch state has really helped set it up for success. Other live-service games had better take notes.

Marvel Rivals Has Shown What Makes a Good Live-Service Game

Marvel Rivals Features Has Plenty to Do At Launch

One of the best parts about Marvel Rivals is the sheer amount of content that players can experience at no extra charge. NetEase Games seems to really have committed to the free part of the free-to-play concept, as the only thing players can purchase are cosmetic items. All 33 heroes that Marvel Rivals launched with are accessible free of charge, with future heroes following suit. Additionally, players can snag all sorts of free cosmetics through Twitch.tv drops, a free code, a PlayStation exclusive, and even the game's competitive mode.

On top of the free content, Marvel Rivals is not waiting to jump into its seasonal content as players are met with Season 0. This season is shorter than a normal season, but it includes all the things players would expect from this type of content. There is a scaled down and cheaper battle pass in Marvel Rivals, along with seasonal missions to complete and a seasonal story for players to unlock via the game's comic book system. Finally, the game's competitive mode launched within the first couple of days, meaning players did not have to wait long before experiencing everything that this game has to offer.

Marvel Rivals Was Free of Day One Server Woes

Along with all the content, Marvel Rivals was also largely free of the common launch day bugs and server issues that seem to plague many live-service games these days. There were no major errors, servers seemed to run smoothly, and it was relatively bug free. Instead of players being forced to fight against unruly servers throughout the weekend, they were able to just jump in and play. Since the game has already amassed over 10 million players, that's quite an impressive feat to pull off.

All of this has really helped set Marvel Rivals apart from the crowd and has given it some strong foundations to build upon. If NetEase Games can keep this momentum going, then the game has a clear chance to succeed for a long time. Hopefully, that success has caught the eye of other live-service games as well, because while so many have faltered, Marvel Rivals has seemingly thrived.

While it remains to be seen if Marvel Rivals truly has longevity, it at least seems to have done everything right with its launch state. It's refreshing to be able to jump right into a game such as this and not have to worry about server issues or an overwhelming amount of microtransactions. Even if it does not change the live-service genre for the better, at least it has been able to give players a superb experience.

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Third-Person Shooter

Action

Multiplayer

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%

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Released: December 6, 2024
ESRB: T For Teen // Violence
Developer(s): NetEase Games
Publisher(s): NetEase Games

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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!