Games

Marvel Rivals: Platforms, gameplay, characters, more

Nathan Warby
Marvel Rivals heroes fightingMarvel Games

Marvel Rivals has been officially revealed as a new PvP shooter featuring beloved comic book heroes and villains. So, here’s everything we know about Marvel Rivals so far, from release details to which characters are set to appear.

NetEase have revealed Marvel Rivals, a new multiplayer shooter pitting iconic comic book characters against each other. The superhero specialists have released plenty of games in recent years, from Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 to the ever-popular Marvel Snap, and they’re now delivering a fully-fledged PvP experience to scratch that competitive itch.

So, here is everything we know about Marvel Rivals so far, from the gameplay to which characters are on the roster.

Is there a Marvel Rivals release date?

There is currently no release date for Marvel Rivals. Fans will be hoping that it arrives before the end of the year, but a 2025 launch at the earliest seems most likely at this stage.

Marvel Rivals closed alpha

The closed alpha for Marvel Rivals will begin on May 10, 2024, as confirmed by NetEase on the game’s official account. However, they have not yet announced the launch time. This will give fans their first opportunity to try out the game and can be accessed by signing up on the official website.

If you want to learn more about this, check out our Marvel Rivals closed alpha guide.

Marvel Rivals platforms

Marvel Rivals will be available exclusively on PC at launch. This was confirmed in the first reveal trailer, which listed Steam and the Epic Games Store as the only two platforms.

Only time will tell if it arrives on Xbox and PlayStation at a later date, as fans on console will no doubt be desperate to join the fight. Developers NetEase are also well-known for their work on mobile titles, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an iOS and Android version down the line too.

Marvel Rivals gameplay

Marvel Rivals is a PvP hero shooter that draws plenty of inspiration from Overwatch. Teams of six battle it out against one another, with each individual character featuring their own unique kit full of varied abilities that support a specific playstyle.

For example, in the announcement trailer, Loki could be seen using his magic to disguise himself as other heroes, while Iron Man can fly around the map unleashing damage from above.

Characters can also use Team-Up moves, where two teammates join forces to pull off a devastating attack, such as Rocket hopping on Groot’s back for extra cover while firing.

Matches take place in a number of iconic locations from Marvel lore, including the golden streets of Asgard. Players will even be able to reshape the maps mid-game thanks to the destructible environments, opening up the door for plenty of interesting plays.

Marvel Rivals characters

As you’d expect, Marvel Rivals has a diverse roster of heroes and villains that comic book fans know and love. Here’s a list of every character confirmed so far:

  • Iron Man
  • Doctor Strange
  • Loki
  • Spider-Man
  • Black Panther
  • Rocket Raccoon
  • Groot
  • Hulk
  • Penni Parker
  • Luna Snow
  • Magik
  • Namour

The devs have also confirmed that more heroes will arrive as part of post-launch updates and seasons, with the likes of Star-Lord, Mantis, Storm, and Scarlet Witch already being teased.

Marvel Rivals trailers

In addition to releasing the Announcement Trailer, NetEase unveiled the first map reveal showcasing the new YGGSGARD. It is expected that the developers will soon start releasing small teasers of the characters’ gameplay.

Marvel Rivals – Official Announcement Trailer

Marvel Rivals – YGGSGARD Map Reveal

That was everything we know about Marvel Rivals so far. We’ll be updating this page with the latest announcements, so check back here for details.

In the meantime, check out some of the other biggest upcoming games:

Black Myth: Wukong | Dune: Awakening | 2XKO (Project L) | Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl | Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC | Wolverine

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