Since NetEase Games’ revealed Marvel Rivals on March 27, comparisons to other popular hero shooters have all but been inevitable. Many have noticed the parallels between Marvel Rivals and Overwatch, and it’s undeniable, considering the gameplay we’ve witnessed so far.
However, dismissing the hero-shooter solely as a derivative work may be a bit unfair. Compared to other shooters, Marvel Rivals has the backing of a well-established Marvel lore that will make it the face of the genre once the game is eventually released globally.
NetEase Must Use Marvel’s Deep Lore in Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals‘ closed beta is already proving to be a huge success, with over 50,000 players logging in on its first day! NetEase has done a phenomenal job with the game, and with upcoming updates and additions, it’s trying its best to establish the game as the hero shooter of 2024.
It’s a known fact that Overwatch 2‘s launch was quite disappointing. After Blizzard ruined the original game with an unneeded sequel, gamers have been desperately looking for an alternative that could give them the same thrill, and it seems like Marvel Rivals is the title to play.
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Even though the NetEase game feels just like the classic Blizzard title, it still brings an experience that is ten times better simply due to the fact that the game’s lore is directly connected with Marvel Comics.
The game is set in the Marvel Universe. Players are able to choose from a wide variety of fan-favorite and cult classic heroes and villains across the Marvel multiverse, including X-Men, Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and many more!
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The fact that this title has characters that have well-established lore and borrows from the best of the genre such makes it one of the most unique experiences out there.
Let’s hope that with the upcoming updates, NetEase doubles down on bringing new Marvel Rivals characters and connecting them through unique plotlines. The possibilities are endless when it comes to a game based on Marvel Universe, as we’ve seen with Marvel Spider-Man’s 2!
When is Marvel Rivals Coming Out?
Marvel Rivals is being worked on by ex-Call of Duty and Battlefield developer NetEase. Obviously, the expectations are high, and from the early looks, the studio has done quite well combining our favorite superhero games with the frantic fun of 6v6 hero shooters.
Unfortunately, there’s still no release date for the title. However, we expect the hero-shooter to be released in Q1 or Q2 2025. The game’s first playtest happened in May 2024, and the closed beta in July 2025. It’s only a matter of time before NetEase polishes the title based on player feedback and gives us the game of the year.
The game will be free to play and will be available on PC, Xbox Series S/X, and PlayStation 5. It’s still unknown whether the game will ever reach mobile.
With that excited, are you excited about this hero-shooter? Let us know in the comments.
