- Publisher: NetEase Games , SHATTERSHOCK LIMITED
- Release Date: Dec 6, 2024
- Also On: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
-
Jan 2, 2025Even if you have never cared for hero shooters, I urge you to give this one a try. It's free-to-play, and if you have any love for superhero properties you'll find a character you love among this motley bunch. It is certainly inspired by games that came before, but its fast, frenetic pace and secret strategic weight make it something completely different. Like a sidekick growing into his mentor's mantle, this one is ready to fight crime in the mean streets of Marvel Manhattan.
-
Dec 7, 2024In its current state, Marvel Rivals is an absolute blast, no matter what role you play. Yes, it's hard to deny the similarities to Overwatch, but enough is going on here that helps it stand out on its own.
-
Dec 27, 2024NetEase's spin on the hero battler is complex and moreish, but rarely much actual fun. Its biggest impact is a renewed appreciation for the rivals that do it better.
-
Dec 20, 2024A must play. That’s the word for Marvel Rivals after two weeks. The game is not perfect, far from it, but it has the merit of associating fan service with real content, with a revisit of the hero shooter genre, what the last competitors behind Overwatch had obviously not assimilated well or succeeded. Marvel Rivals has a future ahead of it if the NetEase follow-up remains the same. And the gaming community is listened to. It’s free, and playing Iron Man is fun so you’d be wrong to miss out on one of the best Marvel video games today. If it is not the best...
-
Jan 13, 2025It's undeniable to say that Marvel Rivals beat every odd stacked against it, and that's purely based on merit alone. It's a fun team-based shooter with new and old ideas featured prominently throughout its 33-character roster that kept me wanting for more.
-
Jan 2, 2025Marvel Rivals takes on the bold challenge of building upon the foundation laid by Overwatch and adding its own unique spin--and it largely succeeds. With solid overall quality, accessible mechanics, and a wealth of content, the game feels primed for long-term success and has already captured the attention of a massive audience. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its strong design and engaging gameplay. However, hero balancing remains a noticeable issue that will require ongoing fine-tuning--something that won't be resolved in just a few patches.
-
Dec 5, 2024Marvel Rivals wants to reinvent the hero shooter genre with its complex characters and special synergies, but it's so preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths. Its oversized roster also needs more balancing – and more differentiation from Blizzard's stable of heroes.
-
Dec 12, 2024Marvel Rivals is a real surprise hit that has what it takes to shake up the whole shooter genre.
-
Dec 10, 2024Going toe-to-toe with Overwatch is a tough ask, but Marvel Rivals brings an impressive roster and its own nuanced action to the table, competing with and even exceeding Blizzard's efforts.
-
Dec 10, 2024Marvel Rivals had big shoes to fill as a direct competitor to Overwatch 2 and, while not perfect, it delivers. With a large roster of iconic Marvel heroes, fast-paced 6v6 combat, and well-balanced abilities and mechanics, it stands out in the hero shooter genre. Marvel Rivals isn’t just a fun alternative — it’s a serious contender poised to shake up the competition.
-
Dec 10, 2024Rivals is crammed with Stan Lee superheroes, but its message – about the total and utter Funko-Pop-ification of games – is as bleak as a Charles Burns graphic novel.
-
Dec 16, 2024One free game leads to another, Marvel heroes and villains are welcome if the goal is simply to have fun. Between questionable balance and general lack of originality, some will turn up their noses, but how fun is Marvel Rivals.
-
Dec 12, 2024Marvel Rivals is a lot of fun. A game that takes a lot of inspiration on other titles but still manages to deliver a gameplay experience with a lot of personality. A must-play if you like hero-shooters, and if you're a Marvel fan on top of that, your up for a treat.
-
Dec 17, 2024Marvel Rivals is a must-play for fans of the Marvel universe and hero shooters like Overwatch. With its polished, well-rounded gameplay and engaging design, it stands out as a near-perfect entry in the genre. This title has all the makings of a new flagship for team-based hero shooters.
-
Dec 11, 2024Marvel Rivals is another hero shooter which actually capitalizes on the license by actually understanding and translating effectively some of the most beloved heroes into a frantic third person shooting gameplay. It needs more balancing especially as far as competitive play is concerned and the lack of role lock is kind of annoying but NetEase cooked a performant and surprisingly well done package which might or not might survive the test of time: it all depends on the devs commitment at this point but there's a true potential to stand against the giants in the genre.
-
Dec 27, 2024Had it been released in 2016, it might not have snatched the Game of the Year award from Overwatch, but despite everything, it manages to shout, 'I’m here, I’m right here!' with the game-making opportunities it offers players and its heart-pounding fights.
-
Dec 16, 2024Marvel Rivals is a well-made hero shooter that is easy to enjoy, and while it's managed to distinguish itself from Overwatch 2 in terms of heroes, it's fallen into the same pitfalls.
-
Dec 16, 2024Marvel Rivals is a rare example of a live service launch done right. Some aspects might feel more derivative, but the promise of future content that'll build on what's already a solid foundation is proof that Marvel Rivals is here to stay.
-
Dec 6, 2024Marvel Rivals is not a perfect game, it does not bring novelty and innovation to the playing field. It's just a clever use of branding, and it's fun to play as your favourite characters.
-
Dec 27, 2024A better hero shooter for remaining unbalanced, prioritizing fun over competitive play which allows it to shine.
-
Dec 11, 2024Marvel Rivals is a solid hero shooter, undoubtedly fun, but it conceals a stale game design beneath the mask of a fresh and effective aesthetic. Those who are tired of hero shooters will find little of interest in the few gameplay innovations Marvel Rivals offers. However, others will enjoy what is certainly the best title in the genre currently on the market, bolstered by an active community (at least for now).
-
Dec 20, 2024Beyond its very obvious Overwatch comparisons, Marvel Rivals is a competent hero shooter that is fun to play and easy to pick up, full of love for the original characters, and with a free to play model that refreshingly doesn’t require you to unlock gameplay elements. Hopefully some technical mishaps can be fixed with future patches.
-
Dec 6, 2024Marvel Rivals has hooked me back into the hero shooter genre with its huge roster of characters, exciting gameplay, and excellent sense of style.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
-
Dec 12, 2024Thing is, Marvel Rivals can still be an incredibly accessible hero shooter, one that does allow people who don't care as much as me about Competitive Stuff to just hammer buttons and play as muscular people who frequent the screens of the Odeon as much as Kojima spends his time 3D scanning beautiful people. There isn't anything wrong in that! In fact, I think this is great. People can just hop in and have fun in a free game that doesn't even seem particularly predatory in its microtransactions...The extra thing is, Marvel Rivals is also a PVP hero shooter that lacks the restraint of Overwatch and turns matches into slightly formless blenders as a result. The fact I can't remember any of the map names is a testament to this, where normally I'd have those sightlines and chokepoints memorised. It won't be a surprise to you that I won't be sticking with the game. and if you're someone after The Next Competitive Timesink, I don't think you will either.