I downloaded Marvel Rivals a couple of days ago, and I’m terrible at it. This doesn’t surprise me. The game has been compared mostly to Overwatch 2, something I played with my friends during the COVID lockdowns and was also terrible at. If you sat in on our Discord calls, you’d be treated to a symphony of screamed expletives, groans of frustration, and “oh my god Widow Widow Widow”. We lost more – a lot more – than we won.
Marvel Rivals Can Be Hard To Pick Up
It’s been much the same with Rivals. I’ve taken a liking to Cloak and Dagger, and I’m getting better at playing this one duo as time goes on, but again, I’m cursing and swearing the whole time. I get stomped regularly while I’m pretty sure I’ve been matched with bots because I keep losing.
I know, I know. I just need to git gud, or whatever. But Marvel Rivals doesn’t do a great job of walking newbies through its paces, unlike Overwatch, who gently holds your hand through everything. In contrast, I pretty much figured out how to play Cloak and Dagger from Twitter threads, because Rivals didn’t tell me anything about them. For one, there are an extraordinary number of heroes, all of which feel great to play in different ways and offer their own individual power fantasies.
It’s awesome that players have so much choice, but the tutorial only teaches the powers of a handful of heroes. You can experiment on your own in practice mode, but a lot of the time, I’m left struggling to figure out how different abilities affect each other.
Worse still is that team-ups are barely explained in-game, and you have to navigate through a bunch of menu screens to find any information on them. I’m pretty sure this was what did me in during my first few matches – I got wrecked by Rocket Racoon and Punisher when they used the Ammo Overload Device, as did the rest of my team. I didn’t even know that was possible. Marvel Rivals certainly didn’t deem it necessary to tell me.
Also, you don’t need me to tell you this, but there’s no balance. I sigh every time I see Jeff. I never thought a cute shark would inspire so much dread in me.
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Everyone wants support, no one wants to play support.
I’m Bad And It’s Fine
I can’t help but wish that the game actually made an effort to teach players anything beyond the absolute basics. Considering that Rivals is already quite – all of its little issues add up to make it feel like an uninspiring reskin of Overwatch 2, but worse – a little bit more consideration for its players could go a long way.
And yet, I don’t really care that I keep getting destroyed by other players that actually know how to play. Like Overwatch 2 (and pretty much any online multiplayer game, really), Marvel Rivals is mostly an excuse for me to do stuff with my friends when none of us want to leave the house. The game is chaotic, unbalanced, and stressful, but that’s all part of the fun. I’m bad at it, and my friends are also bad at it, but it’s okay. I’m still, somehow, having fun. At least I’m getting massacred with my friends.
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!