Summary
The latest trailer for hero shooterMarvel Rivalsrevealed two new characters that make fantastic additions to the roster. With the game’s team-up feature being one of its standout mechanics,Marvel Rivals’ newest inclusions are a perfect pair to add a new team-up move. Fans of both Marvel Comics and hero shooters have been abuzz since March when the first announcement trailer forMarvel Rivalswas revealed. With the recent string of successful Marvel games, and plenty of upcoming titles on the horizon, a large-scale Marvel crossover game seemed too big to fail.
As it turns out, the superhero universe and hero shooter genre are a perfect match, as fans have given an overall positive report after playing the game’s beta test. Throughout testing, new maps and heroes have been added, but a new duo of heroes has just been revealed along with an official release date. Players not lucky enough to be part of the beta test will have a chance to start playing on December 6th, 2024, whenCaptain America and the Winter Soldierwill also be added to the game, offering a match made in heaven when it comes to the game’s spotlight team-up feature.
Captain America and the Winter Soldier Team Up and Face Off in Marvel Rivals
Alongside the highly awaited release date,Marvel Rivalsrevealed the inclusion of two characters who fit perfectly into the large-scale battles of the game. A recentMarvel Rivalsleak teased the arrival of Captain America, but the trailer still had a surprise in store for fans who had been spoiled of his arrival. When the game releases this December, Cap will be joined by his longtime friend, and sometimes enemy, Bucky Barnes as the Winter Soldier. The pair have become such an iconic duo to Marvel fans that their dual announcement was the perfect way to welcome them into the fray.
Bucky and Cap have a bit of a turbulent relationship in the comics, as Captain America’s best friend spent a significant time brainwashed into becoming the villainous Winter Soldier. In the reveal trailer, Cap and the Winter Soldier duke it out, as they have before when Bucky isn’t in control. This showcases their movesets expertly, as Bucky uses his robotic arm in surprising ways and Captain America wields his shield like a pro. Some have even pointed outsimilarities between Captain America and Reinhardt fromOverwatch 2. Cap’s shield does place him in a similar defensive role, and his charge maneuver may look familiar toOverwatchfans, but his ability to toss his shield at enemies ensures enough of a difference from Reinhardt’s playstyle.
Marvel Rivals’ Roster Emphasizes Team-up Maneuvers
The double arrival of these two characters may be hinting at an expansion ofMarvel Rivals' team-up abilities. These special abilities are available between two players using certain heroes who have compatible move sets or are grouped together in their comic stories. With the long history between Cap and Bucky, it seems like a safe assumption that they will receive their own team-up power when they fight together. As new characters have been added during the game’s beta,additional team-up moves have been added toMarvel Rivalsas well. Only time can tell what sort of buffs Bucky and Captain America will give each other, but fans are eagerly awaiting a glimpse at their possible cooperation.
The Surprises Never Stop in Marvel Rivals’ Roster
After the arrival of the two new characters, the roster ofMarvel Rivalswill sit at 25 possible heroes to choose from. One thing that longtime Marvel fans have appreciated about the roster is some of the less-known heroes. Of course, the game had to include mainstay characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Black Panther, butMarvel Rivalsstands out by including more obscure characters as well. Additions like Luna Snow, Namor, and Magik show thatMarvel Gamesis branching outto bring fans experiences that will be unfamiliar to them. Players might find themselves enjoying characters they wouldn’t have heard of otherwise, bringing the extra joy of discovering a new part of a familiar world.
Possibly the most unusual inclusion in the game’s roster isJeff the Land Shark. Even hardcore comic fans were surprised by his announcement, partly because he’s such a new character in the comics. The cute puppy-like shark takes on the role of a healer inMarvel Rivalsbut also has his share of strong attack moves. In the comics, he’s become a companion character to the likes of Deadpool, Gwenpool, and Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye. Jeff’s inclusion might be a surprising one, but it sets an example forMarvel Rivalsthat many fans are happy to see.
Because of the recent success of Marvel’s various stories, including comics, movies, and games, some new fans are beginning to feel like they’ve seen all that Marvel has to offer. But by adding Jeff the Land Shark to the game,Marvel Rivalsshows that there’s no limit to its roster. Another hero who helps bridge the gap between old and new fans is Adam Warlock. Warlock is somewhat of an older character, and one who hasn’t been in the spotlight in quite some time. Aside from his inclusion inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Adam Warlock has been lost in the obscurity of older comics. Including obscure characters both new and old gives fans of all ages something new to learn about Marvel Comics as they play.
The game hasn’t even reached its full release yet, butMarvel Rivalsalready looks to have the making of a powerhouse entry in the hero shooter genre. Themassive success of Marvel Rivals' closed betaproves that fans are eager to experience what the game has to offer. Hopefully, servers will be able to handle the influx of new players when the game releases in December, because the official release ofMarvel Rivalsis going to be a big day.
