Marvel Rivals is Avoiding One of Marvel’s Avengers’ Biggest Mistakes

by

Marvel Rivals is Avoiding One of Marvel’s Avengers’ Biggest Mistakes

As a longtime Marvel fan who has seen my fair share of highs and lows in the gaming world, I must admit that Marvel Rivals has piqued my interest more than any other Marvel game in recent memory. After the disastrous launch and eventual shutdown of Marvel’s Avengers, it was hard to get excited about another live-service Marvel game. But with Marvel Rivals, I can sense a fresh start, a chance for redemption in the realm of Marvel gaming.

Overall, Marvel has consistently shown strength in the gaming industry, especially during the past ten years. The Spider-Man series by Insomniac continues to impress, Guardians of the Galaxy proved to be a delightfully penned adventure, and the LEGO Marvel games have provided enjoyable cooperative play for all. However, Marvel’s Avengers stands out as an exception in this group.

Launched in September 2020, “Marvel’s Avengers” didn’t fare well with both fans and critics, as they felt its storyline and gameplay were decent but the live-service aspect of the game was shallow and didn’t offer enough content to warrant its high cost. The game eventually closed down three years later, leaving Marvel enthusiasts wary about future live-service Marvel games. However, “Marvel Rivals” could potentially end this skepticism by addressing one of the major problems that plagued “Avengers” from the start.

Marvel Rivals is Already Avoiding Avengers’ Costume Issues

Marvel’s Avengers Focused Too Heavily on MCU Skins

Throughout its 3-year existence, Marvel’s Avengers suffered from an excessive number of skins inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By the time it closed its servers in September 2023, over 60 such skins were available, with most characters sporting a costume for each of their MCU appearances. For example, Thor had nine distinct costumes based on his MCU films, including multiple versions of the suit from Thor (2011), like one with a helmet and another without.

Despite numerous skins gaining popularity among fans, the abundance of them often left players feeling overwhelmed. The absence of skins inspired by comics further complicated the situation. This problem was further intensified when Marvel’s Avengers eventually introduced more comic-inspired and original outfits, which were among the most detailed in the game. This development only fueled fans’ desire to see more of such skins within the game.

Marvel Rivals’ First Batch of Outfits Strikes a Perfect Balance

It appears that Marvel Rivals is managing to steer clear of the MCU suit issue faced by Marvel’s Avengers from the start. In anticipation of its release on December 6, the developers at NetEase have announced more than 20 different skins for the upcoming hero shooter.

  • Hulk – Green Scar (Hulk 1999)
  • Iron Man – Superior Iron Man (Superior Iron Man 2014)
  • Magik – Eldritch Armor (New Mutants 1983)
  • Rocket – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (MCU)
  • Groot – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (MCU)
  • Mantis – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (MCU)
  • Star-Lord – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (MCU)
  • Adam Warlock – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (MCU)
  • Thor – Thor: Love and Thunder (MCU)
  • Peni Parker – VEN#m (Edge of Spider-Geddon 2018)
  • Moon Knight – Mister Knight (Moon Knight 2014)
  • Doctor Strange – Sorcerer Supreme of the Galaxy (Doctor Strange 2018)
  • Jeff the Land Shark – Incognito Dolphin (It’s Jeff Infinity Comic 2021)
  • Black Panther – Bast’s Chosen (Marvel Legacy 2017)
  • Loki – Loki Season 2 (MCU)
  • Punisher – Punisher 2099 (Punisher 2099 1993)
  • Hela – Goddess of Death (Thor 1966)
  • Namor – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (MCU)
  • Winter Soldier – Revolution (Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty 2022)
  • Captain America – Captain Gladiator (Planet Hulk 2015)
  • Storm – Mohawk Rock (Uncanny X-Men 1981)
  • Psylocke – Vengeance (Uncanny X-Men 1981)
  • Scarlet Witch – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (MCU)
  • Magneto – Master of Magnetism (Uncanny X-Men 1963)

It’s already evident that the game Marvel Rivals will boast an extensive collection of skins, drawn from various parts of the Marvel multimedia universe. Approximately half of these over 20 skins are themed after the MCU, with a significant number connected to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The remaining half of the roster is inspired by an extensive array of Marvel comics, covering approximately 60 years of history.

For Marvel Rivals, this is merely the beginning as fans can anticipate an abundance of fresh costumes arriving with each season. Following its initial release pattern, these character skins are expected to originate from both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the rich tapestry of Marvel Comics lore.

Read More

2024-11-28 18:56