Marvel Rivals is NetEase's answer to Overwatch, pitting some of Marvel's most recognizable heroes and villains against each other in a 6v6 hero shooter. Now that the game has a December release date, players won't have to wait long before they can try out the chaotic, objective-based gameplay and get acquainted with the massive roster of characters, including the newly revealed Captain America and Winter Soldier.
It's fair to say that Marvel Rivals isn't exactly hiding its inspirations, featuring some novel ideas but also a very familiar format that is easy to pick up for experienced shooter players, but maybe a little heavy on information for beginners. With that said, a colorful cast of comic characters is more than enough to get players interested in one of the most exciting upcoming Marvel games.
In fact, Marvel Rivals looks like it could make a big splash in the competitive shooter space. To get caught up on what it's all about, we've laid out everything we know about Marvel Rivals below.
Marvel Rivals release date
Marvel Rivals will launch on December 6, 2024! It will also be free-to-play on all platforms listed below, and all 25 heroes will be available to play right away, no unlocking required.
Marvel Rivals platforms
You will be able to play Marvel Rivals on PC, Mac, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S. Importantly, there is there will be full crossplay between these platforms.
The only exception to this is that PC and console players will be separated for the Competitive ranked mode. Additionally, you won't need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscription to play on either of those consoles.
Marvel Rivals trailer
As the above trailer shows, Captain America and the Winter Soldier are the latest characters to be joining the roster, bringing their own unique abilities to the hero shooter.
Cap looks to be an incredibly nimble tank character and obviously uses his shield a lot to bash enemies and even deflect certain enemy attacks back at them. Meanwhile, Winter Soldier's tendril-infused robot arm lets him grapple enemies and perform some lethal ground slams, before following up with powerful pistol shots.
If you want to know a bit more about the setting for Marvel Rivals, be sure to check out the cinematic trailer too, which gives you an action-packed look at some of characters as they fight or team up across the multiverse and the timestream.
This is essentially the narrative justification for Marvel Rivals as, thanks to two diabolical Doctor Dooms – one past, one future – havoc is being wreaked on both time and space, forcing heroes to team up and fight for their worlds.
If you need an MCU refresher to make heads or tails of these trailers, don't worry as we have a super helpful guide on how to watch all the Marvel movies in order for you as well.
Marvel Rivals gameplay
Taking the 6v6 Hero Shooter format popularized by Overwatch, Marvel Rivals pits teams of incredibly varied heroes and villains against each other to complete objectives on maps from across the multiverse.
Based on some time with the game, we reckon that it's got enough personality "to go toe-to-toe with Overwatch's own heroes, but the game struggles with information overload", and it's going to take a bit more for Marvel Rivals to escape Overwatch's shadow.
Of course, the main draw is the massive cast of heroes and villains to pick from. There will be 25 Marvel Rivals characters available to play as at launch, taken from all over the comic maker's superhero repertoire. As the above trailer shows, Captain America and the Winter Soldier are the latest characters to be joining the likes of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Loki, Storm, and Star-Lord.
Every character has a range of passive and active abilities to use and there are a lot of possible playstyles available, from brawling tanks and aggressive flankers to more protective backline characters and super supports. The heroes your teammates choose can also determine which Marvel Rivals Team-Ups activate, granting extra buffs and powers to certain heroes with the right combination, adding an extra layer to team composition.
Regarding maps and modes, these have been limited so far, seeing players push or resist a moving payload or fight for control over a single objective across both Tokyo 2099 and Yggsgard. With that many heroes to choose from, however, matches can be very chaotic and varied even with a handful of maps, and more will be present for the game's full launch. There will also be also a Marvel Rivals ranked mode for those looking for something a bit more competitive.
Will there be another Marvel Rivals beta?
NetEase is yet to share more details on another Marvel Rivals beta, so the short answer is "we don't know."
The most recent beta test, which ran until early August was a closed test, meaning participation was invite-only, so we wouldn't be surprised to see an open beta in the next couple of months to iron out balancing issues and, importantly, stress test the servers before launch.
Again, absolutely nothing has been confirmed and this is speculation based on other games and previous tests for Marvel Rivals, but keep an eye out for potential news on how to get Marvel Rivals keys or access for any upcoming tests.
If you are interested in more upcoming titles, check out our list of all the new games coming our way. If you want more shooter action, read our picks for the best FPS games of all time.
