Marvel Rivals vs. Overwatch 2: Which Hero Shooter is Better?
Hero shooters have become well-entrenched in competitive gaming, and two games now vying for dominance are Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals. Each game brings something unique to the table, but with the recent surge in popularity of Marvel Rivals, the debate rages on whether either game or the other has the better experience. This review considers both games' positives and negatives, specifically for players who wish to improve their rank within competitive gaming.
Overwatch, which came out in 2016, was a hit at first sight with its first-person hero shooter gameplay, vibrant character designs, and 6v6 match type. Overwatch 2, launched in 2022, switched to a 5v5 but kept the same gameplay. Marvel Rivals, launched in December 2024, is a third-person game with the same 6v6 match type, boosting its popularity among fans looking for new competition.
When it comes to the number of players, Marvel Rivals is currently leading. Marvel Rivals saw a high of 644.2k players in the previous month, and Overwatch 2 saw a high of 75.6k players over one year ago, according to SteamDB. A majority of the players for Overwatch have defected to Marvel Rivals due to its fresh take and new mechanics. The reviews also refer to the gap, as Marvel Rivals enjoys 81.3% positive reviews compared to 22.1% for Overwatch 2.
Overwatch 2 has struggled to keep players, with not much more than new maps, the occasional hero, and a battle pass system. Marvel Rivals has introduced game-changing features like Destructible Environments, in which players can change up the map in the middle of games, and team-up attacks that allow heroes to double their abilities, boosting their damage and effectiveness for a last-ditch effort.
However, Marvel Rivals demands more from players' computers, requiring 70 GB of storage and a decent GPU, compared to the 50 GB and lower-end setup required by Overwatch 2. This higher demand could deter some from attempting to climb their rank in Marvel Rivals, especially those with older computers.
Both games have similarities that continue to spark debate. Overwatch 2 heroes are uniquely created, whereas Marvel Rivals borrows its characters from legendary Marvel Comics characters. Both games' abilities usually have similarities, such as Black Widow being similar to Widowmaker and Scarlet Witch being similar to Moira. These similarities, added to the same gameplay modes like casual, competitive, and arcade, make it impossible to avoid comparing them.
The popularity of Marvel Rivals has definitely eaten into Overwatch 2's player numbers. The two games center on objectives like point control and payload transport, but the roster of familiar Marvel heroes in Marvel Rivals makes it more engaging. For players wanting to boost their competitive rating, Marvel Rivals is an exciting new challenge, although Overwatch 2 still has nostalgic value for many.
Even if others claim Marvel Rivals is taking too much from Overwatch 2, originality and positively received feedback suggest that it's not just a copy. Gaining rank in Marvel Rivals has the thrill of playing with legendary Marvel characters, adding another level of thrill to every match. The fans are left with deciding which among the two hero shooters is the ultimate competitive gameplay.
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