What is Marvel Rivals? Gameplay explained for new free superhero PvP game

What is Marvel Rivals? Gameplay explained for new free superhero PvP game

As a long-time comic book enthusiast and avid gamer, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I first heard about Marvel Rivals. Having grown up reading Marvel comics and immersing myself in their rich universe of characters, the prospect of stepping into that world and engaging in epic battles with my favorite heroes was a dream come true.


There’s been a lot of buzz about the new hero shooter game in town. So, we did some investigative work to find out: What is Marvel Rivals all about?

We’ve got the goods with the gameplay explained for the new free superhero PvP game.

NetEase’s Marvel Rivals game includes a multitude of beloved characters like Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Storm, Hulk, and many others.

In May’s PlayStation State of Play event, a free-to-play superhero shooter with a team size of six versus six drew significant attention.

Excitement has persisted since then, as many eager gamers are desperate to experience Marvel Rivals’ closed beta. Luckily, we provide a clear guide on securing access to this beta, in addition to instructions for obtaining Twitch drops with beta codes.

Although I’ve shared a lot, there’s still much ground to cover. Let’s avoid lengthy discussions and delve right into the details of Marvel Rivals instead.

What is Marvel Rivals?

What is Marvel Rivals? Gameplay explained for new free superhero PvP game

In Marvel Rivals, a total of twelve players go head-to-head in each match, forming two teams of six individuals, ready to engage in intense combat.

In this game, you can play for free and encounter iconic characters from Marvel, ranging from heroes to villains. Teamwork is essential to triumph over rivals, resulting in engaging confrontations.

As a long-time fan of multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and hero shooter games, I must admit that my heart skips a beat when I come across a new game that combines elements of both genres, especially if it features characters I know and love from the Marvel Comics universe.

Discover and access fresh material to apply in diverse gaming tactics as you engage in exhilarating team fights filled with infinite excitement and opportunities.

How many characters are in Marvel Rivals?

What is Marvel Rivals? Gameplay explained for new free superhero PvP game

Marvel Rivals has announced that their team now includes twenty-one distinct characters, drawn from both the heroic and villainous realms of the Marvel universe.

For a detailed exploration, please visit our Marvel Rivals character page. However, if you’re looking for a brief overview, here are the twenty-one characters:

  • Black Panther
  • Doctor Strange
  • Groot
  • The Punisher
  • Hela
  • Iron Man
  • Loki
  • Rocket Raccoon
  • Mantis
  • Peni Parker
  • Magneto
  • Magik
  • Spider-Man
  • Venom
  • Scarlet Witch
  • Star-Lord
  • Storm
  • Luna Snow
  • Hulk
  • Namor
  • Adam Warlock

In April, NetEase conducted a private alpha testing session. During this event, a total of 39 characters were uncovered from the game’s data (as reported by Miller Ross).

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share with you the entire roster of currently available playable characters in our Closed Alpha Test build. Here’s how it looks from my perspective:

— Miller Ross (@mmmmmmmmiller) May 8, 2024

The additional 19 characters supposedly found within the datamine are:

  • Black Widow
  • Blade
  • Captain America
  • Cloak & Dagger
  • Hawkeye
  • Human Torch
  • Iron Fist
  • Invisible Woman
  • Jeff the Landshark
  • Moon Knight
  • Mr Fantastic
  • Psylocke
  • Squirrel Girl
  • The Thing
  • Thor
  • Ultron
  • Venom
  • Winter Soldier
  • Wolverine

NetEase hasn’t made an announcement about these characters being part of the game yet, so consider any information regarding their involvement as an unconfirmed rumor at this point.

What do we know about Marvel Rivals gameplay?

What is Marvel Rivals? Gameplay explained for new free superhero PvP game

One aspect of Marvel Rivals’ gameplay, going beyond its being a 6vs6 multiplayer game, is the inclusion of destructible surroundings.

“The press release states that, from Asgard to Tokyo in the year 2099, harness your powers to transform the landscapes, modify the terrain, and create tactical advantages during battles,” is one way to paraphrase the given text.

An important factor will be the effective collaboration between your characters. For instance, Rocket Raccoon and Groot can team up, with Rocket riding on Groot’s back to form a formidable duo against adversaries. Moreover, Hulk can release gamma energy to boost Iron Man’s armor for substantial damage. These are just two of the many possibilities.

In each match, there will be two teams, each consisting of six unique characters. The diverse use of abilities and distinct strategies towards the various environments aim to add excitement and novelty.

On the 9th of May, 2024, it was alleged that gameplay clips, previously undisclosed, were posted online (previously known as Twitter by X) displaying various character skills in motion.

I heard you like abilities? (missing like 4 characters but they done shut the server down </3)

— 🎄 Santa Ricky (@_FireMonkey) May 9, 2024

NetEase confirmed that this game will have continuous updates and new content, aiming for several seasons’ worth of engagement.

In each season, new Super Heroes will join the fray together with intricately designed maps that offer fresh challenges. (NetEase’s announcement)

When is the Marvel Rivals release date?

What is Marvel Rivals? Gameplay explained for new free superhero PvP game

At present, NetEase hasn’t announced an official release date for Marvel Rivals.

The developer is conducting a private beta test, which many players are eagerly trying to secure access to.

If you’re curious about the duration of the Marvel Rivals closed beta, or how to secure a spot in it through Twitch drops, or even obtain beta codes, we have all the information you need.

I’m excitedly looking forward to learning more about the official release date or any beta versions, be it closed or open, and I promise to keep you informed as soon as I have the latest information.

Is there a Marvel Rivals trailer?

In March 2024, Marvel Rivals officially unveiled its upcoming game with a trailer, revealing some of the playable characters and the setting for the battles.

The colourful trailer that takes clear inspiration from the comics’ art style can be watched below:

As a movie enthusiast who’s excited about Marvel Rivals, I’d be happy to share how you can stay informed and show your support for this upcoming game. Simply visit the official website and sign up there to register your interest and receive updates directly from the developers. Easy peasy!

Marvel Rivals will launch on PC across Microsoft Windows and MacOS.

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2024-07-25 13:04