Marvel Rivals Review: A Hero Shooter That’s More Than Just Overwatch with Capes

The world of hero shooters has been in a strange place over the past few years. Overwatch, the reigning champion of the genre, has had its struggles, and newer contenders have either been Concord or that one Specter Divide game that no played. Enter Marvel Rivals, a 6v6 hero shooter that blends the polish of Overwatch with the iconic characters and abilities of the Marvel Universe. After spending months playing the game, we’ve got a lot to say.

First Impressions: Smoother Brain, Bigger Fun

At first boot-up, Marvel Rivals feels familiar—perhaps too familiar. Many of the heroes feel like mashups of Overwatch characters. Bucky Barnes? A mix of Roadhog and McCree. Hulk? A tanky bruiser reminiscent of Reinhardt and Doomfist. The similarities are undeniable, but that doesn’t mean the game lacks its own identity.

The game’s true strength lies in its sheer accessibility. The mechanics are easy to grasp, and even the most casual players can pick it up and feel powerful quickly. Marvel’s broad appeal also plays a massive role in its success. Even those who wouldn’t normally gravitate toward a hero shooter might jump in because, well, it’s Marvel. Who reading this didn't either grow up watching or reading Marvel IP?

Game Design: A Mix of Innovation and Frustration

One of the most unique aspects of Marvel Rivals is its team-up abilities—special synergies that certain heroes share. For instance, Spider-Man and Venom can execute a unique combo, while Magneto and Scarlet Witch have a powerful duo ability. This mechanic incentivizes playing certain characters together, adding a layer of strategy to team composition.

But here’s where it gets tricky. While the idea of team-ups is cool, it’s not always executed well. Some of the strongest characters are tied to weaker ones, making their synergies feel like a waste. For example, Magneto’s synergy relies on Scarlet Witch, a hero widely considered one of the game’s weakest picks. This limits team flexibility and forces players into specific (and sometimes suboptimal) compositions.

Additionally, solo queue can be a nightmare. Right now, Marvel Rivals does not have a role queue, so a player cannot specifically state whether they play tank, DPS or support before a game starts. So a team often end up with too wannabe DPS and not enough tanks or strategists (the game’s version of healers). Tanks, in particular, struggle in Marvel Rivals as a whole as they're generally underpowered compared to some other DPS and don't feel as good to play. Sure, Groot is solid but are we really going to sit here and play Venom, or Hulk or Captain America?

Maps and Modes: A Surprisingly Strong Point

Despite some frustrations, Marvel Rivals shines in level design. Each map features destructible environments, adding dynamic elements to fights. Game modes, such as King of the Hill and objective-based battles, feel well-balanced and keep matches engaging. The game borrows from Overwatch's best ideas while adding enough freshness to stand on its own.

Art and Sound: A More Comic-Accurate Marvel Experience

Visually, Marvel Rivals leans into a bold, comic book-inspired aesthetic rather than the hyper-realism of the MCU. This allows characters to have exaggerated, dynamic designs. Wolverine looks wild, Star-Lord is distinct, and Captain America feels more like a gritty comic book hero than a polished movie star.

Sound design is also solid. Footsteps are distinguishable, ults are telegraphed well, and hero interactions add charm. Some voice lines are already reaching meme status (looking at you, Winter Soldier: "Again! Again!"), and Jeff the Landshark’s voice is delightfully bizarre.

The Verdict

So, where does Marvel Rivals land? It’s undeniably fun, especially with friends. The character variety is impressive, and the nostalgia factor is high. However, the game has balance issues, particularly with team-up mechanics and solo queue frustrations. The lack of a role queue means certain roles are often ignored, which can lead to frustrating matches.

With time, patches, and balance updates, Marvel Rivals has the potential to solidify itself as a mainstay in the hero shooter genre. Right now, though, it’s a strong but flawed experience.

Final Score: 7/10

Have you been playing Marvel Rivals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! And if you’re looking for a squad to play with, join us on Discord at Thanks for Playing.