Marvel Rivals May Be The Game That Takes Me Away From Overwatch - Summer Game Fest 2024

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I still remember fondly when Overwatch was first released. I didn't think much of it, and it took me a while to get convinced to try it, and when I did, I was hooked. I ended up falling in love with the gameplay, how strategic you could be based on the skills your selected character had, and the teamwork required to win. It was great for a long time, and then Overwatch 2 came out. While the core gameplay loop was still there, it felt like the improvements that were touted to justify a second entry weren't enough. I still play Overwatch 2 to get my fill of it, but the joy I once held has started to disappear. Then, I heard of Marvel Rivals.

I wasn't exactly looking for a game to replace Overwatch, and I really didn't feel like any of the other similar titles had the same kind of luster that drew me in originally. But when I saw Marvel Rivals in action and was already a fan of the Marvel Universe, it all clicked. Honestly, I'm surprised it hasn't been done before with how perfect it can all fit, and I'm happy to say that it is as great as it seems from what I've played so far at Summer Game Fest.

I had about 20-25 minutes of time with the game while I was there, but it gave me enough time to play a couple of rounds with bots and test out different heroes they had available. This included characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Star Lord, and Rocket Raccoon. I didn't get a chance to play against other people, which was a bummer, so I instead focused on how each hero felt and whether I got that Overwatch spark, and I sure as hell did.

Each hero I played felt unique from each other with skills that not only made sense for them as characters but changed up my playstyle, too. As Iron Man, I could fly around and shoot beams from afar, making him a great ranged attacker, while Spider-Man specialized in up-close combat and swinging around fast to get up in front of people. The characters, all being well-known heroes, increased my joy using them in this kind of environment, making me feel a bit of excitement whenever I was able to kill an enemy from Iron Man's chest beam. It was all easy to pick up due to having similar controls to Overwatch, and I was genuinely shocked when I won my first match.

The gameplay loop and art style for Marvel Rivals are similar to those of other games in the genre, but they do have some standout features. The biggest change is the switch from first-person to third-person, allowing you to see your hero while running around iconic Marvel Universe locations. Locations also have some destructible elements, allowing the stage to change mid-game and make you rethink your strategies.

I truly wish I had more time to play the game, because I was loving it. The heroes felt great to control, the environment destruction changes things up and makes the match feel more dynamic, the skills for each character are varied and fit with the character well, and the environments are beautiful. I couldn't be more excited for the release. And with it coming to Steam, there's hope for Steam Deck compatibility!

Marvel Rivals will be releasing soon, and it will be free to play. You can wishlist it now on Steam!

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