The hero shooter genre has been crying out for a fresh face, and NetEase Games might have just answered that call with Marvel Rivals. And as the gaming community braces for its imminent launch, players are excited about a game that’s promising to be more than just another Overwatch wannabe.
With anticipation building and comparisons continuing to fly left and right, one veteran player has stepped forward to challenge the narrative that Marvel Rivals is nothing more than a Marvel-skinned copycat of Blizzard’s 2016 GOTY-winning hero shooter.
Why Marvel Rivals Might Just Be Better Than Overwatch
A seasoned Overwatch player with over 2,000 hours of gameplay has shared some compelling observations that suggest Marvel Rivals isn’t just standing on the shoulders of giants—it might just be improving the entire formula:
Lot of people say Marvel Rivals copied Overwatch on many levels, but, as a player with more than 2000 hours on OW, I say Marvel Rivals did many things better.
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The critique goes beyond surface-level comparisons, diving deep into gameplay mechanics that have long frustrated Overwatch veterans. From flying heroes that don’t feel oppressive to a time-to-kill (TTK) that actually allows players to enjoy the battlefield, Marvel Rivals seems to be learning from its predecessor’s missteps.
One particularly interesting point of discussion is how the game handles hero design and balance. Unlike Overwatch 2, where certain heroes can feel frustratingly powerful, Marvel Rivals appears to have struck a more nuanced balance:
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This sentiment resonates with many players who have grown tired of feeling like their deaths are the result of random chance rather than genuine skill. The ability to understand and learn from each defeat is crucial in any competitive game, and it seems Marvel Rivals might have cracked that code in a way Overwatch 2 continues to struggle with.
The Ongoing Evolution of Hero Shooters
Of course, the debate isn’t about completely reinventing the wheel. As other insightful Redditors point out, inspiration is the lifeblood of game design:
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It’s a perspective that cuts to the heart of game development—innovation often comes from building upon what came before. NetEase Games isn’t trying to completely destroy the Overwatch blueprint; it’s attempting to refine it, to smooth out the rough edges that have frustrated players for years.
The game’s approach to heroes, map design, and overall gameplay suggests a developer that’s not just copying, but carefully studying what works and what doesn’t in the hero shooter genre. And isn’t that exactly what great game design should be about?
As we count down to the December 6 launch, one thing becomes clear: Marvel Rivals isn’t just another clone. It’s a potential game-changer that could breathe new life into a genre that’s been crying out for innovation.
What do you think about Marvel Rivals? Are you excited to see how it compares to Overwatch 2, or are you skeptical of yet another hero shooter? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
