After an open beta and a year of downtime,MultiVersusre-launched last month, getting a rare second chance at a first impression. And while there are certainly still some issues to iron out, one of the most exciting new features added to the game has been Rifts.These offline PVPMultiVersusgauntletsgive players unique challenges with each fight and incorporate modifiers and minigames to break up the flow of matches. After completing all the challenges in the Rift, players can collect a reward of fighter currency.
When the game first launched, however, these Rifts proved to be more of a time sink than a meaningful, engaging part of the game. The various difficulty levels proved to feel more like a grind than anything and players noted that their efforts in the Rifts were not yielding any progress toward the first season’s battle pass, making their time feel poorly spent. Thankfully, the developers at Player First Games made one key update to the Rifts that bodes well forMultiVersus’ long-term success.
MultiVersus Rift Changes Explained
Before the update, Rifts existed as a simple way for players to enjoy the game in a noncompetitive way. The main problem was the lack of battle pass progression, which extended far beyond the Rifts and into the rest of the game’s online modes. Before the update, theonly way to gain XP for theMultiVersusbattle passwas to complete a series of daily/weekly challenges for XP. Once those were completed, there wasn’t much left to keep players engaged on a long-term basis. They’d simply log in, complete dailies, and log out, treating it more like a job than a game.
Last week, developer Player First Games listened to its community and fixed this issue by letting playersearn battle pass XP through individualMultiVersusmatches, including the games played in Rifts. Now, players receive 20XP for a victory and 10XP for a loss in PVE, giving them something worthwhile for their efforts and reducing the grind significantly. At 2000XP per level on the battle pass, the 70-tier long rewards track is much more manageable, especially with the daily/weekly challenges and their rewards still in the equation.
What the Rift Changes Mean For the Future of MultiVersus
These changes bode well for the future longevity ofMultiVersus. The game’s relaunch had a bit of a tumultuous start due to the grindy nature of unlocking cosmetics and characters, connection issues, and ageneral lack of features returning fromMultiVersus' betalike leaderboards, fewer display options, and a generally inferior UI. The speed at which Player First Games addressed the Rifts is very encouraging and sets a good precedent for the developers’ standards moving forward. If there’s a problem, the team seems willing and able to address it as fast as humanly possible.
Rifts have been an excellent addition to the game overall and making them a viable method for players to work on their battle pass progression keeps them engaged and makes them feel like their time is well-spent even if they’re only playing the PVP side of things. Over time,Rifts will encourage players to branch out, try new characters, and practice new combos. This will keep the game feeling fresh and new for longer, organically extending the life of the game. After enough time, the title will find its footing and become an established mainstay in the fighting game community.
Not every studio is so receptive to player concerns, especially at such a fast turnaround rate. That’s the most important takeaway fromMultiVersus’ somewhat rocky launch. From the earliest days of the beta, the development team has been very active on X communicating with andtalking to theMultiVersuscommunity. This move changing Rifts sets an important precedent: if the players feel strongly about something affecting the experience, Player First Games has no problem living up to its company name.
MultiVersus
WHERE TO PLAY
CHARACTERS: Choose from Bugs Bunny, Batman, Arya Stark, Rick Sanchez, and many more. In MultiVersus, every star brings their unique moves, worlds and attitudes to fight. And as the roster expands, so does the spectacle — with new personalities and play styles turning up the heat in every battle.MAPS: Our maps turn legendary realms like the Batman’s Bat Cave, Jake and Finn’s Treefort, Game of Thrones’ Throne Room into epic battle grounds. And the best part? We’re adding new maps regularly, so the party never stops!MODES: Whether you’re seeking the intensity of 1v1, the frenzy of a 4-player mayhem, or team up for strategic 2v2 battles, we’ve got you covered. Plus, introducing an all new PvE mode, a thrilling realm of limitless combat possibilities designed for solo or co-op play.CROSS-PLATFORM: MultiVersus has full cross-play and cross-progression support across all platforms.
