4.5/5 ★ – Jay_HxS's review of Marvel Rivals.

When the idea of Marvel characters in a hero shooter was announced, the Internet exploded with interest. "Marvel Rivals" in beta represents an Overwatch-esque experience with the classic superheroes and villains we all know and love. Think bearing Iron Man's repulsors or the Hulk's raw power in an accelerated, team-based environment. The game has huge potential for quality gameplay and represents the first real competition "Overwatch" has had since its release. While the beta is fun, it is not without some issues. Some of the hero design feels like a copy of overwatch hero's, and can leave the game feeling almost too inspired by what came before it. There are some balance issues and rare framerate drops. There is concern that with NetEase involved, microtransactions are going to be rampant. Still, the way "Marvel Rivals" seems to be going, and with the backing of marvel as a studio, will let this hero shooter take the top spot in the genre as the best and most fun hero shooter on the market. Gameplay Overview: Fast, Snappy, and Fun The gameplay in "Marvel Rivals" is fast, snappy, and undeniably fun. The 6v6 format feels refreshing compared to "Overwatch's" struggling 5v5 setup, as fights feel way more dynamic and full with two tanks. It is an absolute breeze to play as every hero because the devs nailed it regarding what it would feel like to wield the powers of these Marvel characters. Not all is great though, the game does have its kinks. Being a beta, it feels just a bit unpolished, with moments where that jankiness shows up in the wrong way. The hero design easily captures the feel of Marvel heroes but often times feels a tad too "Overwatch"-inspired, bordering on direct copies. For instance, Star-Lord plays almost exactly like Tracer, while Iron Man shares many similarities with Pharah. The really impressive visuals on its maps are also brought down a bit by overly familiar game modes and design philosophies to "Overwatch", which make it, at times, feel a little bit too much like a reskinned "Overwatch". Sound Design and UI: Immersive but Imperfect Sound design in "Marvel Rivals" is nothing less than phenomenal. Every character is as it should be, down to the sounds, complete with top-notch voice acting that really breathes life into Marvel's heroes. The weapons and combat have punchy, satisfying sounds, well-suited for immersive gameplay. In a similar vein, music goes without a hitch alongside the game's high-energy gameplay, as well as being very well done in its own right. But again, the issue of originality comes up again, as some sound effects seem almost directly lifted from "Overwatch," which is a little jarring. The UI, while very functional, has also become a bit cluttered. It's sometimes a chore to browse through menus and other in-game features, as well as tell what is going on. Conclusion: Marvel Rivals—a hero shooter dream come true. Playing a hero shooter with Marvel characters is as exhilarating as I had imagined. "Marvel Rivals" brings to life the dream of battling as iconic superheroes in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. I do, however, worry about the long-term lifespan of the game with so many borrowed ideas from "Overwatch" and general game modes that offer no originality, along with a few hero designs that also lacks originality . Setting all of my issues to one side, though, the game is genuinely fun—very refreshing in a genre that desperately needed something like this. If you're missing the classic 6v6 "Overwatch" gameplay, I'd highly suggest trying out this beta as it brings back the 6v6 action we've so sorely missed. The evolution of "Marvel Rivals" is something I will be waiting for with bated breath in further betas or a full release. Beta score: 8/10