Summary
Reed Richards, otherwise known as Mr. Fantastic, has a complex history in the Marvel universe. For the most part, he has been known as a superhero, but many events involving him in Marvel’s extended universe raise questions about his future in games like NetEase Games’Marvel Rivals. Although he has yet to be officially confirmed as an upcoming playable character inMarvel Rivals, Richards is already deeply involved in the most intricate parts ofMarvel Rivals' story, and his involvement could have catastrophic consequences.
At the heart ofMarvel Rivals' story is the Timestream Entanglement, which was caused by a clash between Doctor Doom and his 2099 counterpart. During the conflict, a multitude of timelines were severed from their own realities and merged to form Chronoverses, thereby bringing heroes and villains alike together to either team up or continue opposing one another in light of the overarching threat. Deeply embedded in this story is Reed Richards, and his history throughout the Marvel universe may cement him as one ofMarvel Rivals' biggest wild cards.
Reed Richards May Be an Unpredictable Variable in Marvel Rivals' Story
Reed Richards' Access to Chronovium Doesn’t Complement His History
When considering Reed Richards' history in the Marvel universe, it’s important to note that he has occasionally played an antagonistic role, though often an accidentally antagonistic one. Richards has an extensive history of scientific endeavors, many of which often involve high-risk experiments with unforeseen and sometimes unresolvable consequences. For example, his initial attempt to teleport organic matter to the N-Zone transformed him and his colleagues intothe Fantastic Four. While the incident served as the foundation for a memorable team of superheroes, it ultimately shows how ambitious Richards can be, and how that ambition can result in unintended and catastrophic outcomes.
In the context ofMarvel Rivals, Richards' collaboration withTony Starkon a Timestream Reintegration Device, especially since it requires the use of Chronovium, is concerning, to say the least. Given his track record, the potential for mishaps involving the very fabric of time is fairly high, as the entire timeline is subjected to his experiments. According toMarvel Rivals' lore, Chronovium is a rare element essential for time-related technology. Richards' access to such a powerful substance, combined with his unchecked ambition, automatically raises the stakes, as even one error can have irreversible effects on reality. Richards' history suggests that his access to Chronovium could lead to unnecessary complications, potentially making him a wildcard inMarvel Rivals' narrative.
Reed Richards Has Been a Villain Before
While casual fans have likely only ever witnessed Reed Richards as a hero, he has been a villain before, so it wouldn’t be too far-fetched for his character inMarvel Rivals' story to take on a more antagonistic role. In theUltimate Marvel universe, an alternate version of Reed becomes the Maker, a supervillain who personifies the darker side of Richards' intellect when it is unbound by moral obligation. Following some personal trauma and a massive shift in his worldview, this version of Reed does terrible and unforgivable things, including murdering his own parents, which arguably shows the full extent of his downfall. Ultimately, his transformation into the Maker shows how his intelligence can lead to irreversible actions that threaten any reality when they are coupled with an indifference to humanity.
Given Reed’s current access to Chronovium, and the potential for this version of Richards to be any version of the character Marvel has ever featured, thanks to the Timestream Entanglement, Mr. Fantastic could end up being an incredibly powerful villain in the game’s overarching narrative, even if he is only serving someone like Dr. Doom orKnull inMarvel Rivals' story. It would certainly be a unique take forMarvel Rivalsto feature such a beloved hero as one of its darkest and most heartless villains, but it wouldn’t be too out of line to do so. If Richards does end up taking on an antagonistic role inMarvel Rivals, he may even get unique abilities in the game that the heroic version of himself wouldn’t have had access to.
While casual fans have likely only ever witnessed Reed Richards as a hero, he has been a villain before, so it wouldn’t be too far-fetched for his character inMarvel Rivals' story to take on a more antagonistic role.
Reed Richards' involvement inMarvel Rivalsultimately introduces a rather complex dynamic that could significantly influence the game’s narrative. His history of high-risk scientific experiments, coupled with his ambition and access to Chronovium, makes him a potential wild card inMarvel Rivals' narrative. The possibility of Richards taking on more of anantagonistic role inMarvel Rivalsadds an entirely different layer to the story, and it may even throw fans for a loop, depending on whether it happens and to what degree.
