Marvel Rivals Closed Beta Impressions
Marvel Rivals is an upcoming free-to-pay 6v6 PvP hero shooter developed and published by NetEase games in collaboration with Marvel Studios. NetEase just finished up a 2-week closed beta test of the game, and what a great 2 weeks it was. This game is the definition of fun. Despite being a closed beta build, the gameplay felt surprisingly snappy and smooth. The character models feel unique to the game and not copy pasted from previous marvel worlds.
Be The Hero
Combat ebbs and flows throughout matches, and I could feel the momentum shifts in close battles. Balanced teams are key to victory, with each character having a more tank based role, healer role, or support role. Each character felt unique in their design, and learning to play each to their role took some trial and error. The world is also destructible and can turn the tide of some firefights on the fly.
Each playable character has sets of abilities and weapons unique to them, and each one feels individualized when you play. Thor and Venom can roll into groups of players to tank while Spider-man swings around the map locking characters in place with his webs and swooshing in for quick damage while characters like Punisher have their own DPS style. All the while, Rocket Raccoon or Jeff the Land Shark can keep all teammates healed or boost shields and damage output. The only ding I give to combat is it lacked punch. There was little to no difference between landing blows with melee damage or turning a corner to blast your rivals away with a shotgun or rifle.
Aside from overall gameplay, the visuals and art style are what stood out to me the most in this game. The hand drawn art style of the characters compliments the effects of combat abilities and weapons. Each level feels right out of a comic book and the overall art design reminded me of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Rival Vibes
One of my reasons for gaming are the vibes video games can give off, especially after a long day at work, and this game delivers. Particle effects from combat abilities are vibrant and bright, character models are crisp and clean, the maps are colorful, and the voice acting is comical at times. Marvel Rivals feels like it has room to establish itself within the current gaming scene. The battle pass did not feel like much of a slog, and characters have their own level up systems to gain cosmetics which were achievable by just naturally playing. I will definitely be giving this game a go at launch.