Marvel Rivals

​Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play, third-person hero shooter developed and published by NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel Games. Released on December 6, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, the game features a roster of 37 playable characters from the Marvel Universe, including both well-known and lesser-known heroes and villains. ​Wikipedia

In Marvel Rivals, players select characters categorized into three main roles:​

• Vanguards: Heroes with large health pools and abilities that enhance survivability, functioning as tanks.​

• Duelists: Offensive heroes designed to deal maximum damage and secure eliminations.​

• Strategists: Support heroes who assist teammates through healing, damage boosts, and other utility abilities.​

Each character possesses unique active and passive skills reflective of their comic book personas, along with a primary attack and an ultimate ability that charges over time or through combat engagement. The game also introduces “Dynamic Hero Synergy,” where specific character pairings unlock additional abilities; for example, pairing Wolverine and the Hulk enables the “Fastball Special,” allowing the Hulk to throw Wolverine toward enemies. ​Wikipedia

Marvel Rivals offers five distinct game modes:​

• Convoy: Teams alternate between offense and defense, with the offensive team escorting a moving objective while the defensive team aims to halt its progress.​

• Domination: Both teams compete to capture and hold a single point on the map, accruing points over time.​

• Convergence: Combines elements of Convoy, where teams first capture a point and then escort a payload through the map.​

• Conquest: Teams collect points dropped by eliminated heroes, with the objective to reach a set point total or have the most points when time expires.​

• Doom Match: A free-for-all deathmatch where up to 12 players compete to achieve the highest number of eliminations. ​Wikipedia

The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5, featuring destructible environments that allow players to alter the battlefield strategically. Marvel Rivals supports cross-play across all platforms, enabling players to team up regardless of their gaming system. ​Wikipedia

Since its release, Marvel Rivals has experienced significant success, surpassing 40 million players as of February 2025. The game has been praised for its monetization model, which avoids pay-to-win elements, and for its engaging gameplay that combines elements from various genres within the Marvel Universe.