Summary
On this week’s episode of TheGamer Round Table, we compared the respective fates ofConcordandMarvel Rivals. Both are hero shooters that borrow liberally from other successful games, and withits lack of a battle passand commitment to narrative, Concord is the one that - in theory - is doing everything right. Yet no one is playing it, andthis is no surprise. Marvel Rivals isdoing much better, but it might be that the candle that burns brightest burns half as long.
These sorts of games are not for me at all. I have played a handful of hero shooters in my time, with 55 hours on the originalOverwatchthe most I’ve ever committed to one. That was back when it was new and sort of interesting. In the years since, the genre has become saturated and stale. Concord and Marvel Rivals are a continuation of that trend.
Concord Versus Marvel Rivals
I’vealready written about Concord a few times, and don’t think there’s much point in kicking it when it’s down. It’s partDestiny, partHalo, with aGuardians of the Galaxy-style cast and humour. It’s alsonot as good as any of those things. In fact, despite playing the beta, I deliberately haven’t written any critique about the gameplay itself because I don’t know who is served by someone who doesn’t really play shooters saying ‘this doesn’t seem that good’. But it doesn’t seem that good.
Marvel Rivals feels better. I think it’s more enjoyable to play and with a more interesting cast, but as Eric Switzer pointed out on TheGamer Round Table, that might just bethe allure of IP. Part of it, I’d argue, is that Rivals is pretty shamelessly just Overwatch With Some Other Stuff whereas Concord cribs from so many places it can feel messy rather than unique. But sure, another pretty big part is that I get to hit people with Magik’s massive sword.
Yes,Magik is the best Marvel character. No, it’s not whoever you were going to say.
But that’s part of Rivals' problem for a game that is supposed to last forever. I played a few games of Concord, enough to decide that it wasn’t for me and there was nothing much I could write about, and swiftly moved on with my life. But I played a few games of Rivals yesterday, and I’ll probably play some today, and some tomorrow.
Marvel Rivals' Casual Appeal Could Be Its Undoing
I don’t love it - I rarely do love games like this - but it’s easy fun and trying out new heroes has some charm. When it comes out, I’ll play a handful of games, stick with it for a couple of weeks as I play with friends, and then move on. I suspect a lot of its playerbase will, because it’s not appealing to hardcore players, it’s appealing to online casuals like me who might as well check it out because you get to beSpider-Man.
That may be the death of it. Concord is targeting more committed players with more hardcore mechanics, complex team builds, and difficulty modifiers that require planning ahead, but it won’t get enough because committed players are already committed to other games. Marvel Rivals is appealing to casuals with its simple gameplay and recognisable characters, but they won’t stick around because they’re casuals. Ultimately, these games will die together.
On some level, the very existence of these games makes me a little angry. I don’t think these are the sorts of games that inspire developers, and they tend to come about via a top down mandate to hit key demographics aimed at generating steady cashflow. These are not words I enjoy being associated with art, even if I concede that gaming is a business. But live-service shooters in particular seem so transparent in trying to be like every other game out there that you have to wonder what the point of any of it is.
I’m not sure Concord has enough tricks up its sleeve to turn around such an abysmal beta period and very obvious lack of interest, especially when it costs $40 to even check out. But I wouldn’t take Rivals' apparent success as cast iron yet either.Overwatch 2may be struggling for traction at the moment, and the stars may be aligning for Marvel Rivals to take its place. But the reliance on IP also means a fickle fanbase who will not stick around for the grind, and when the dust settles, these two games may be buried side by side as equals.
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!
