GamesThird Person ShooterGamescom 2024I have the same problem with Marvel Rivals that I had with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, but it’s not what you thinkWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesThird Person ShooterGamescom 2024I have the same problem with Marvel Rivals that I had with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, but it’s not what you thinkWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: NetEase Games)
I’ve never been much of a hero shooter fan, but something aboutMarvel Rivalsstill piques my interest. Maybe it’s because I’m one of the few people who actually likedSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguefor what it was (instead of what it isn’t), or maybe it’s the FOMO of hearing other people talk so animatedly about the Overwatch-like, but I jumped on the opportunity to play Marvel Rivals at Gamescom faster than you can say “Starlord”.
The experience was a humbling one. My half-hour preview revealed a few home truths: firstly, I am not geared toward competitive shooters. Secondly, it turns out that I am extremely opposed to testing out a variety of playstyles before choosing my favorite, and that’s why The Punisher is my new Deadshot.
Unlocked and reloaded
(Image credit: NetEase Games)
Gamescom 2024(Image credit: Digital Eclipse)GamesRadar+ visited Cologne to play the most anticipatednew games of 2024at Gamescom, and speak to the developers bringing them to life. For more of our hands-on previews and exclusive interviews, visit theGamescom 2024coverage hub.
Gamescom 2024
(Image credit: Digital Eclipse)GamesRadar+ visited Cologne to play the most anticipatednew games of 2024at Gamescom, and speak to the developers bringing them to life. For more of our hands-on previews and exclusive interviews, visit theGamescom 2024coverage hub.
(Image credit: Digital Eclipse)
GamesRadar+ visited Cologne to play the most anticipatednew games of 2024at Gamescom, and speak to the developers bringing them to life. For more of our hands-on previews and exclusive interviews, visit theGamescom 2024coverage hub.
Having read our Senior News Editor’s ownMarvel Rivals previewfromSummer Game Fest, I already know a little of what to expect. Given the trial and error approach usually applied to hero shooters, I know I’ll soon have to make a few experimental decisions. There’s a unique sense of satisfaction that comes with finding a character whose playstyle, class, or moveset best clicks with you. For that reason, I really wanted to enjoy playing Captain America. Like, I reallyreallywanted to.
He’s one of the highest recommended starter heroes for a reason. The Punisher’s intuitive, no-muss-no-fuss third-person shooter stylings perfectly match my speed when it comes to providing the most classically recognizable shooter experience of the bunch. He’s a Duellist, which means he has a smaller health pool as a trade-off for a frankly wild damage-per-second output that melts all neighboring foes as long as I don’t get close enough to be KO’d myself (because yes, in Marvel Rivals, your heroes don’t die – they just have a little snooze). Essentially, The Punisher is one hell of a glass cannon. With a veritable arsenal of guns at my disposal, not to mention all the smoke grenades and ziplines for traversing the map with ease, I take to his playstyle almost instantly.
I assure you that I did try to deviate from this instantaneous preference. Before I took Cap for a spin, I tested the waters with Dr Strange, keen to see his ranged magic attacks up close and personal. Unfortunately, I never get the hang of them, instead resorting to throwing up a shield that can absorb 800 damage before breaking, and simply run around the arena frantically until the timer runs out.
Shameful, yes, but not nearly as shameful as how I literally could not wrap my head around Captain America’s yoyo-like shield tosses. This move forms the basis of his offensive capabilities, but it speaks to the same exact reason that I cannot play Captain Boomerang in Kill the Justice League: I have crappy aim, and I’m not afraid to say that with my whole chest. Paired with the total absence of any firearms (at least according to my limited experience could glean from it), Cap is sadly the worst kind of hero for me in a hero shooter. The dude doesn’t even shoot, for Stark’s sake.
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I have fond memories of Marvel Rivals, but only thanks to The Punisher. My brief stint with Rocket was not half bad, though I ordinarily refrain from playing healers, but it’s clear that Marvel Rivals' stacked roster speaks to a breadth of skills, builds, and playstyles – even if, like me, you might be a one-superhero kinda person.
From Apex Legends to Control, check out thebest shooter gamesto play next.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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1
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”