Why Overwatch is Making Me Tired of Marvel Rivals

My initial excitement for Marvel Rivals during its closed alpha phase has since given way to a dwindling interest following the game’s official launch. Given my extensive history with Overwatch, which dominated my gaming hours since its 2016 debut, I should have anticipated this outcome. Marvel Rivals was initially a beacon of hope for rekindling my passion for hero shooters, but it ultimately fell short.

Rather than offering a fresh experience to replace Overwatch, Marvel Rivals feels reminiscent of merely introducing new skins for an old favorite. While it isn’t a blatant copycat of Overwatch, Marvel Rivals needs to establish a distinct identity to effectively engage players. For those who have exhausted Overwatch, capturing their attention will be an uphill battle for the game.

Marvel Rivals: An Overwatch Update with New Characters

Significant Similarities Between the Two Games

Luna Snow from Marvel Rivals looking happy next to a sad Tracer from Overwatch. — Custom Image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

The most compelling argument for Marvel Rivals’ uniqueness lies in its diverse cast of characters. Characters such as Captain America and Spider-Man naturally piqued my interest, along with unexpected choices like Jeff the Land Shark from the Gwenpool comics. Despite my fading enthusiasm for the Marvel franchise, this roster encouraged me to give Marvel Rivals a shot.

Upon diving into the gameplay, my first impression crystallized: it’s very much like playing Overwatch with a new hero lineup. A friend aptly coined it “Overwatch but fun,”yet the more I played, the more I found myself drawing inevitable comparisons. Even with my initial excitement about the heroes, I soon recognized that many felt less like unique individuals and more like variations of existing Overwatch characters.

Marvel Rivals’ Heroes: A Blend of Overwatch Archetypes

Gameplay Similarities to Overwatch Characters

The design of the heroes in Marvel Rivals carries clear influences from Overwatch. They don’t precisely replicate existing characters, but rather seem inspired by a combination of several. For example, Star-Lord exhibits mobility and rapid-fire capabilities reminiscent of Tracer, while adding unique spins like spinning attacks that echo Reaper’s ultimate ability. This results in Star-Lord feeling adjacent to Tracer without being a direct clone.

Fans familiar with Overwatch will easily spot even more parallels. Squirrel Girl’s acorns and her vertical launch ability bear a striking resemblance to Junkrat, while Magneto’s shielding abilities strongly echo Reinhardt’s mechanics. Scarlet Witch’s basic attacks are nearly identical to Symmetra’s, and Hawkeye feels like a reimagined version of Hanzo. Luna Snow, with her skating ability and healing role, draws evident inspiration from Lucio, suggesting that even her name is a nod.

While these similarities are notable, they are not the primary deterrent for my enjoyment of Marvel Rivals. Both games naturally share common tropes endemic to the hero shooter genre, and it is essential to recognize that Overwatch, too, has drawn from various sources. However, the extensive overlap in character mechanics only adds to my frustration.

Marvel Rivals: Familiar Game Modes and Map Design

Excessive Similarities in Game Modes

Marvel Rivals - Huge battle with Dr Strange creating a shield for his team in the middle

If Marvel Rivals had introduced innovative gameplay mechanics, the overlapping character features might not have been as bothersome. Unfortunately, the game mirrors the core game modes of Overwatch, including an offensive mode focused on pushing points (often represented by a moving objective) and a best-of-three king-of-the-hill setup.

Moreover, the map designs echo those of Overwatch. The layout of Tokyo 2099, for instance, closely resembles Hanamura’s starting area, leading to the perplexing realization that Marvel Rivals didn’t even attempt to diverge geographically from its competition.

While some similarities can be explained by shared influences and best practices in game design, the cumulative effect of these resemblances, paired with the heroes’ likenesses, makes Marvel Rivals feel overly familiar and tiresome.

For Marvel Rivals to Succeed, It Needs Distinction

Potential for Innovation

Marvel Rivals Venom, Peni Parker, and Squirrel Girl above Tokyo 2099 map

Fortunately for Marvel Rivals, it remains in its early stages with the backing of a globally recognized IP, presenting ample opportunity for growth and evolution into a distinctive game. A viable strategy could be the introduction of features absent from Overwatch.

Leading up to the anticipated release of Overwatch 2, players expressed enthusiasm for a PVE mode that was ultimately scrapped. Marvel Rivals could capitalize on this gap by creating an engaging PVE experience that might attract Marvel fans who aren’t necessarily inclined toward competitive play.

Ultimately, the method by which Marvel Rivals distinguishes itself from Overwatch is critical to retain my interest. Although there are echoes of Doomfist in Wolverine, I found this particular gameplay experience refreshing and free from Overwatch comparisons. Enhancing the game’s hero diversity and integrating unique game modes will greatly assist Marvel Rivals in forging its path and rekindling excitement among players.

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