Summary
Marvel Rivals’ closed alpha period has concluded and as the next batch of lucky players anticipate a closed beta period there’s quite a bit to dissect.Marvel Rivalsis clearly leaning toward an esports scene and how its metas and skill ceilings evolve will be intriguing in that regard, but casual gameplay is accentuated by how intimately each character’s abilities delve into their lore and source material. This way, noMarvel Rivalscharacter is a superficial shell banking on their brand iconography to make them interesting or endearing and that’s a blessing all on its own.
As more characters are added toMarvel Rivals’ roster after launch it’ll be exciting to see how comprehensive they are as well. As for its launch roster,Marvel Rivalshasn’t shirked its great responsibility to represent each character with as much authenticity as possible;Marvel Rivals’ Spider-Man is a complete character with web-swinging, wall-crawling, spider-sense, spider tracers, and more at his disposal, for instance. Hulk is no different and, whileMarvel Rivals’ Hulk is being compared closely toOverwatch’s Winston and D.Va, it’s fantastic to see his puny alter ego receiving the limelight he deserves.
Marvel Rivals Rightfully Puts Bruce Banner Front and Center Over Hulk
Bruce Banner not only being represented inMarvel Rivalsbut also playing a vital role as an initial playable phase of theHulk’s characteris astounding and unprecedented. Banner is even featured prominently in the character’s portrait and has his own skins, ensuring that he isn’t ever an oversight or underappreciated.
Beginning a match as Banner and needing toactivate his Ultimate to become the Hulkis refreshingly clever, and being able to run around, shoot a gamma ray gun, or lob gamma grenades at opponents is more gameplay for Banner than anyone might’ve anticipated.
Of course, the actual hulking brute is who’s more exciting on paper, not the moody physicist and gamma radiation specialist, regardless of whether he’s a shade of grey or green. Hulk also could’ve been the easiest character to dismiss as a banal tank—or vanguard—inMarvel Rivals. Instead,Marvel Rivalsbrilliantly chose to represent Hulk as wholly as possible by allowing Banner to have an equal role on the battlefield and even electing to depict a temporary Monster Hulk transformation.
Banner’s Hulk Transformations in Marvel Rivals Set a New Standard for the Character
Banner is infinitely more exceptional when his Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde dichotomy is illustrated and that same dynamic is punctuated beautifully inMarvel Rivals. One of the neatest choices made for the character is how death at any transformation stage regresses him back to a previous stage, meaning that if players are killed as Hero Hulk they simply turn back into Banner again.
Therefore, the longer players can stay transformed or reach Banner’s Monster Hulk phase the longer they can stay on the battlefield. It’s terrific that players aren’t out of luck when they’re stuck with Banner, even if he is much less effective or valuable and especially because a lesser game might’ve only featured him in an introductory cutscene where he transforms into the Hulk rather than find a way to include Banner incompetitive 6v6 gameplay.
These transformations are fundamental for the character and are further evidence of how attentiveMarvel Rivalsis with its adaptations because it certainly hasn’t taken the easy or obvious way out with any of them thus far and that has made gameplay far richer, too. This is probably the most exposure Banner has received in a Marvel game other than maybeMarvel’s Avengers, where Banner was played by Troy Baker, and it’s great that he’s a crucial basis for Hulk’s character transformations inMarvel Rivals.
Marvel Rivals
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!A Deep and Varied Marvel RosterChoose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game DynamicsWith intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.Dynamic Hero SynergyCoordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!Creative Environment DestructionTear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch UpdatesThe Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
