Marvel Rivals trailer reveals gameplay, heroes, and release date

Marvel has announced a shooter featuring some of the most iconic superheroes from their comics called Marvel Rivals.

On March 27, Marvel surprised fans with a new free-to-play shooter that looks heavily inspired by games like Overwatch 2. It will feature 18 superheroes and villains from the Marvel universe fighting to take control of points on maps featuring Marvel locations.

“Assemble an ever-evolving all-star squad of superheroes and supervillains while battling with unique superpowers across a dynamic lineup of destructible maps across the Marvel Multiverse,” developer NetEase Games announced.

Here’s what we know about Marvel Rivals so far.

Marvel Rivals gameplay

In the official announcement trailer, gamers were given their first glimpse at Marvel Rivals gameplay. From what we can see, it does resemble shooters like Overwatch 2, with heroes and villains racing through similarly structured maps to get control of a certain point.

But so far, we have not been given any details on the game modes or their goals.

What we do know, is that you will compete as a team of six, picking characters that have a lot of synergy in both their strategy and powers. In Rivals, you can combine two heroes’ powers together to create a massive duo attack. We see Hulk use his gamma rays to charge up Iron Man’s laser in the trailer.

“Superhero teams are also a little like family and often team up to defeat evil together,” NetEase Games director Thaddeus Sasser said to Variety. “In Marvel Rivals, you can likewise use team-up abilities with your friends and teammates to super-charge attacks or defenses and turn the tide of the battle together. For example, play as Rocket Raccoon and ride on your buddy Groot’s shoulders as you charge into battle together. Maybe you want to use Doctor Strange’s portal power to allow the Punisher to fire his turret through it, raining fire down on the unsuspecting enemies through the portal.”

This focus on combining abilities is definitely a unique aspect of the Marvel Rivals gameplay.

Heroes in Marvel Rivals

There are 18 confirmed superheroes and supervillains coming to the starting roster. This includes:

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

Marvel Rivals plot

Marvel Rivals, similar to Overwatch 2, has a bit of lore behind the shooting gameplay. According to the game’s description, there’s a “merciless clash” between Doctor Doom and his “future counterpart from the year 2099,” creating universes to collide. This has created new worlds and crises.

“Now, superheroes and supervillains from across the multiverse must fight together and against one another as disparate groups seek to defeat both Dooms before one achieves domination of these realities,” the description concluded.

Marvel Rivals release date

Marvel Rivals is coming to PC in May. The exact date has not been released just yet.

“’Marvel Rivals’ is one of our most ambitious game development projects,” head of Marvel Games Jay Ong said to Variety. “Since the conceptualization of the game and throughout our collaboration, our Marvel team has poured our hearts and souls into this project, and we are thrilled to work with the incredible team at NetEase Games to help deliver the ultimate superhero team-based PVP shooter.”