Marvel Rivals Nails Something Few Hero Shooters Get Right

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As a seasoned gamer who has dabbled in countless hero shooters, I can confidently say that Marvel Rivals has managed to carve out a unique niche for itself with its diverse roster of melee-focused heroes. Having spent many hours honing my skills in Overwatch, it’s refreshing to see a game that offers such a variety of close-quarters combat options right from the get-go.

On its debut, Marvel Rivals showcased eight maps, three game modes, an array of stunning cosmetics, and a gripping narrative tailored for a comic-style hero shooter. However, what truly stole the spotlight on the first day was the extensive character roster, allowing players to command 33 iconic Marvel superheroes and villains.

Despite facing some criticism for being overly influenced by other games, the 33 characters in Marvel Rivals are valuable additions to the game’s roster. Each character offers a rich array of entertaining and useful abilities. Thanks to Marvel Rivals’ post-launch strategies, this roster is expected to improve further with time. However, even as it stands, Marvel Rivals has managed to accomplish something that few hero shooters can: it boasts genuinely enjoyable melee heroes.

Marvel Rivals’ Melee Heroes Are a Real Highlight

Melee Plays a Much Larger Role in Marvel Rivals Than In Other Hero Shooters

In the initial lineup of Marvel Rivals, there are at least seven characters whose movesets emphasize close-combat fighting styles. Characters such as Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Magik, Black Panther, Iron Fist, and Wolverine all have primary attacks and abilities that favor or strongly suggest up-close battles. This concentration of melee-focused characters in Marvel Rivals at launch offers two significant benefits for the hero shooter.

As a dedicated fan of hero shooters, I can’t help but get excited about Marvel Rivals! Unlike other games in the genre, it provides an uncommon playstyle that I rarely encounter – a focus on melee combat. Most notably, Overwatch 2, a game I hold in high regard, only has two heroes whose movesets are primarily melee-based. Characters like Junker Queen and Doomfist use melee abilities, but it’s only Brigitte and Reinhardt who have a primary fire and abilities specifically designed for close-quarters combat. Marvel Rivals, with its six melee-focused heroes from the get-go, offers veterans of hero shooters an enticing amount of variety in a playstyle that we’re not overly familiar with.

One way to rephrase this could be: A second benefit lies in the rare playstyle it offers, leading to exclusive combat situations and tactics not found in other games like Marvel Rivals. For example, an emerging meta is developing between Iron Fist and Wolverine, which demands innovative strategies to counter their powerful close-quarters attacks. Although handling these constant assaults can be challenging, it’s exhilarating for veteran hero shooter enthusiasts who seek fresh gameplay challenges.

Marvel Rivals Should Maintain Its Balance of Melee-Focused Heroes

The debut of Marvel Rivals marks just the start of things; developer NetEase has already signaled that Marvel Rivals will continue to grow with fresh heroes, maps, game modes, cosmetics, and battle passes in upcoming seasons. However, the specific number of new characters for each season, as well as the release date for the next hero, remains uncertain. But when these updates begin to appear, it would be exciting if Marvel Rivals could strive to keep a good balance between melee-oriented and ranged heroes.

There are several adored Marvel characters left who could potentially join the roster of melee heroes in Marvel Rivals. Characters like Colossus from the X-Men or Juggernaut would make excellent additions to the game as new tank characters. It’s only a matter of time before Daredevil, with his focus on close combat, becomes a part of the team. Even some lesser-known Marvel characters, such as Hercules, could be valuable additions if it helps maintain the current balance between melee and ranged heroes in Marvel Rivals.

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2024-12-08 20:47