Marvel Rivals Game Review PS5 and Windows

Marvel Rivals is a competitive action game that pits iconic Marvel heroes and villains against each other in fast-paced, dynamic battles. Available on PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows, the game brings together the vast roster of Marvel characters in a unique 2D or 3D battle arena setting. Here’s a detailed review of the game for PS5 and PC (Windows):

---

Overview:

Marvel Rivals is a multiplayer-focused action-fighting game, where players control Marvel superheroes and villains in intense combat scenarios. The game offers a variety of modes, ranging from 1v1 duels to large-team battles, all set within the Marvel Universe. The focus is on fast action, combos, and utilizing each character’s unique abilities, making for a high-energy gaming experience.

---

Gameplay:

• Combat System:
  • The core of Marvel Rivals is its combat mechanics, which blend fighting game-style moves with character-specific abilities. Players can perform fast, combo-based attacks and use a variety of superpowers or special abilities to outplay their opponents. Each Marvel character has a distinct playstyle based on their powers, from Iron Man’s tech-based attacks to Spider-Man’s acrobatic web slinging or Thor’s lightning strikes.
  • The game employs easy-to-learn, hard-to-master combat, which makes it accessible for newcomers but challenging for veterans who want to master each character’s moveset. There are different types of attacks (light, heavy, special) and counters, and the ability to chain combos can be satisfying once you get the hang of it.
  • Tag-Team and Team Battles: Some modes feature tag-team combat, where players can switch between characters during fights, adding a layer of strategy and variety to the combat.
• Game Modes:
  • Marvel Rivals offers a wide variety of modes, including 1v1 duels, free-for-alls, and team battles (e.g., 3v3 or 5v5).
  • Story Mode: There is a single-player campaign that allows you to play through a series of battles with a narrative that ties into the Marvel Universe. However, some players have found the story to be a bit underwhelming and repetitive, focusing more on combat than on any deep character arcs or plotlines.
  • Multiplayer: The game shines in its multiplayer modes, where you can battle against friends or online players. The online matches are quick and action-packed, though occasional server issues may affect matchmaking at times.
• Character Roster:
  • The game boasts a massive roster of Marvel characters, ranging from well-known heroes like Iron Man, Captain America, and Wolverine to iconic villains like Thanos and Green Goblin.
  • Each character feels distinct, and their move sets are tailored to their comic-book abilities. Some are more agile (e.g., Spider-Man or Black Widow), while others focus on heavy damage (e.g., Hulk or Thor).
  • Unlockable Characters: There are also unlockable characters and skins that players can obtain by progressing through the game, adding some incentive for long-term play.

---

Graphics & Art Style:

• Visuals:
  • Marvel Rivals features stylized, comic-inspired graphics with vibrant colors and bold character designs. The visuals are impressive, with each superhero and villain rendered with intricate details and unique animations that showcase their abilities.
  • On PS5, the game benefits from 4K resolution, smooth frame rates (60fps), and fast load times thanks to the PlayStation 5’s SSD. The action is crisp and smooth, and each arena looks visually distinct, with dynamic, destructible environments adding to the excitement of the battles.
  • On PC (Windows), the game runs even better with higher customizability for graphics settings. Players with high-end GPUs can enjoy ray-tracing, dynamic lighting, and high-definition textures, making the game visually stunning on powerful setups. For lower-end PCs, the game is still optimized for performance, though you might need to adjust settings for smoother gameplay.
• Art Style:
  • The character design is heavily influenced by comic book aesthetics, with bold outlines, dynamic poses, and a sense of exaggerated action. While not fully realistic, the art style feels faithful to the Marvel Universe, capturing the larger-than-life feel of the characters.
  • Arena Design: The arenas are well-designed, offering a variety of environments based on famous Marvel locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and Stark Tower. Some arenas have interactive elements, such as hazards or environmental objects that can be used during combat.

---

Sound & Music:

• The soundtrack is action-packed, with energetic and dynamic music that builds excitement during battles. The tracks are orchestral and cinematic, fitting well with the Marvel theme.
• Sound Effects: The sound effects are satisfying, with each character’s attacks producing unique audio cues. The sound of a Hulk punch feels heavy, while Iron Man’s repulsor blasts sound sharp and clean.
• Voice Acting: Characters are voiced by actors that do a good job of bringing the heroes and villains to life. However, some players may notice that the dialogue isn’t as deep as what you’d expect from the movies, as the game focuses more on action than narrative depth.

---

Performance:

• PS5 Performance:
  • On PS5, the game runs incredibly smoothly, offering quick load times, crisp visuals, and 60fps gameplay during intense battles. The game takes full advantage of the PS5’s hardware capabilities, including adaptive trigger feedback and haptic vibrations via the DualSense controller, enhancing immersion during combat.
• PC (Windows) Performance:
  • On PC, Marvel Rivals is optimized to work across various hardware setups. It offers high frame rates, especially on higher-end gaming rigs, and supports 4K resolution and ray-tracing for those with powerful graphics cards. Performance is smooth, but lower-end PCs may need to reduce settings for optimal performance.

---

Final Thoughts:

Marvel Rivals is a fun, fast-paced action-fighting game that offers an exciting experience for Marvel fans, especially those who enjoy competitive multiplayer games. The massive roster, dynamic combat, and visually stunning graphics are its main strengths. However, the lack of depth in the story mode and occasional online matchmaking issues might detract from the experience for some players.

Rating:

• 8/10 – A must-play for Marvel fans who enjoy action-packed brawlers with a diverse roster of characters, but it might fall short for those seeking a deeper narrative or more strategic gameplay.

---

System Requirements

Minimum:
    OS: Windows 10 64-bit (1909 or newer)
    Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
    Memory: 16 GB RAM
    Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 / Intel Arc A380
    DirectX: Version 12
    Network: Broadband Internet connection
    Storage: 70 GB available space
    Additional Notes: We recommend you install the game on SSD drive for better experience.

Recommended:
    OS: Windows 10 64-bit (1909 or newer)
    Processor: Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Memory: 16 GB RAM
    Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (Super) / AMD RX 5700-XT / Intel Arc A750
    DirectX: Version 12
    Network: Broadband Internet connection
    Storage: 70 GB available space
    Additional Notes: We recommend you install the game on SSD drive for better experience.

In This Article