Summary
In a genre as crowded as hero shooters, standing out isn’t just a luxury — it’s almost necessary. With countless otherhero shooters likeOverwatch 2andValorantall vying for gamers' attention, any new additions to the genre need to be able to distinguish themselves, lest they become effortlessly overshadowed in the market. Rising to that challenge, NetEase Games' Marvel-based hero shooter,Marvel Rivals, brings its own uniqueness to the tried-and-true hero shooter formula, with an offering of features that don’t merely rely on the fame of its label to lead it to success.
Marvel Rivalsdoesn’t necessarily deviate from the most fundamental elements of a hero shooter, but it certainly embraces its liberties in other areas. Instead of solely trying to sell its fast-paced gameplay,Marvel Rivalsemphasizes its story much more than other hero shooters have been known to, which is simultaneously reinforced by its extensive roster of playable characters. These elements, as well other features integrated into its gameplay, helpMarvel Rivalsto carve out its own identity in an otherwise overwhelming selection of hero shooter titles.
How Marvel Rivals Distinguishes Itself in the Hero Shooter Genre
Marvel Rivals Has an Extensive Roster of Familiar Characters
For starters,Marvel Rivalshas one of the most extensive rostersof playable characters of any game in the genre. Currently, there are already 33 different characters to choose from, each of whom complements a specific playstyle, and there are even more characters yet to come. Since the Marvel universe as a whole includes a wide variety of diverse characters, the potential forMarvel Rivalsto eventually feature well over 100 playable characters is considerably high, which will, in turn, contribute to its uniqueness and appeal in the hero shooter genre.
Marvel Rivals' roster is already so extensive that it could be considered theSuper Smash Bros.of hero shooters.
Another advantageMarvel Rivalshas when it comes to its roster is that they are all characters who are familiar, even to those who have never played the game. SinceMarvel’s massive universeextends beyond gaming and goes into other media like film and books, there is a greater chance that those who playMarvel Rivalshave already been acquainted with the game’s characters — as opposed to other hero shooters that feature original characters. This ultimately increases the emotional immersion many players may experience inMarvel Rivals, as they have had a chance to form some sort of bond with the franchise’s characters before even playing the game.
Marvel Rivals' Timestream Entanglement Story Has a Lot of Potential
Down onMarvel Rivals' deeper levels is its story, which is only just coming together, as the narrative is set to gradually unfold over time. At the heart ofMarvel Rivals' story is the Timestream Entanglement, a phenomenon created by Dr. Doom and his 2099 counterpart, in which multiple timelines and dimensions merge to become one reality. This ultimately setsMarvel Rivalson a different path than most hero shooters, as it opens up the game’s story and gameplay to a myriad of possibilities, given how utterly endless the Marvel universe is. Whereas many hero shooters have a basic narrative that largely remains static,Marvel Rivals' is primed to evolve significantly over time.
In a genre where it’s far too easy for a game to blend in and sneak by unnoticed,Marvel Rivalstakes bold steps to ensure that doesn’t happen to it. Rather than featuring original characters players have never met before,Marvel Rivalspulls from a long list of charactersmany players are likely already familiar with, leaning on their emotional connection with those characters for enhanced immersion and more meaningful gameplay. Furthermore,Marvel Rivals' story and the massive number of possibilities available because of it set it up for success in a genre where narratives are largely set aside.
