Marvel Rivals First Impressions: A Hero Shooter That Restores Hope for Disillusioned Overwatch Fans Like Me

Marvel Rivals is finally here, and with countless players jumping in for the first time, it’s already generating a wave of opinions and reviews. Yet, many of us are approaching it with cautious optimism, especially after being somewhat let down by the half-baked roll out of Overwatch 2 and the more disastrous release of Concord more recently.

As a die-hard Overwatch 2 fan (sitting on a comfy 700+ hours), I’m thrilled to say that Marvel Rivals is reigniting my love for the genre and offering real hope for the future of the hero shooter genre.

A Familiar Yet Fresh Format For Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals faces a tough challenge entering the crowded hero shooter market. To stand out, it needs to build on what works, avoid others’ mistakes, and add something fresh to the genre. Many new games struggle with this (do we really need to revisit Concord, again), but Marvel Rivals does a solid job of rising to the occasion.

The game features an open-queue 6v6 lobby, which delivers everything we love about hero shooters - quick queue times and the freedom to experiment with 33 iconic Marvel characters. The third-person action is smooth and easy to follow, making for an enjoyable experience.

However, the physics can be a bit tricky when controlling characters that fly or glide. But like any game with a learning curve, you get used to it. Once you adjust, the gameplay becomes more comfortable, though those missteps can still sting.

Strategic Combat and Hero Synergies in Marvel Rivals 

The real meat, and what truly sets Marvel Rivals apart is how abilities and synergies are integrated into combat. Unlike Overwatch, which has reduced emphasis on synergies in recent updates, Marvel Rivals encourages it with Team-Up abilities. For example, Cloak and Dagger’s synergy with Moon Knight allows him to go invisible, giving him the ability to disrupt the enemy team.

This strategic ability use is refreshing, especially compared to Overwatch, where some roles, like supports and tanks, have become overpowered. In Marvel Rivals, balance feels healthier. All three roles can carry a match with their abilities, but only if you master your hero. That’s what I love most: just picking a hero doesn’t guarantee success.

Balancing Power: Strengths and Weaknesses 

Some characters are still a bit overpowered. For instance, Squirrel Girl’s long-range acorn attack can deal as much damage as Hawkeye’s charged headshot, which feels off. But the fact that Squirrel Girl has more cooldowns and can be countered in different ways helps balance things out. Even on launch day, Jeff the land shark is everywhere on social media, gobbling up whole teams of players with his ultimate ability and dumping them off the map.

For now, the balance feels like it’s heading in the right direction. Every character is viable, and the key to winning lies in how well you use your abilities and work with your team. Compare this to Overwatch 2, where picking the current meta Widowmaker can often result in a frustrating “hide behind a wall” playstyle.

Compare this to picking Black Widow in Marvel Rivals; the game doesn’t lose its flow. She’s balanced and can be countered by various abilities, reflecting the developers' understanding of what makes a great hero shooter: skill expression, versatility, and room for experimentation.

The Flaws and Future Potential of Marvel Rivals

That said, Marvel Rivals isn’t perfect. At times, the visuals can get cluttered, especially with multiple abilities going off at once. Additionally, the limited number of Vanguards and Strategists makes those roles less appealing to some players.

However, NetEase has been transparent and communicative, polling the community for feedback, providing updates on new heroes, and making balance changes based on player input. Plus, the fact that all new heroes are free is a huge plus, though there is still some monetization.

We'll be back next week with a full review, but for now it feels as though Marvel Rivals has a bright future ahead. The game feels fresh, and balanced, and offers potential for deep, rewarding experiences - not to mention loads of heroes at launch. With any luck, the developers will continue listening to the community and refining the game for many more years to come.