Summary
In the past few days, we’ve seentwoOverwatch-like betas released on Steam ahead of their full launch—Marvel RivalsandConcord. But where PlayStation’s attempt to break into the world of hero shooters struggled to make a dent, NetEase’s turn is thriving after just one day.
Concord peaked at only 2,388 players,which isn’t too surprising givenhow much backlash the reveal trailer drew. The Marvel Rivals playtest on the other hand has a peak of 52,671 players, 22 times higher than Concord’s. It’s hardly a good sign for PlayStation’s newest live-service venture, but the superhero shooter is already making waves.
Concord Is Paid, While Marvel Rivals Is Free-To-Play
To add fuel to the fire that is Concord’s disastrous opening, it will cost £34.99 (or £49.99 if you grab the advanced access deluxe edition), whereas Marvel Rivals will be free-to-play as is quickly becoming the norm for the genre.
Even with a free beta, Concord is struggling to draw in players, so things look bleak for its full, paid launch. We’ve seen countless live-service flops over the years as big-name studios attempt to break into a market dominated by games like Overwatch,Fortnite,Call of Duty, and many more, even when those games werefree,so it’s hard to see a world where Concord overcomes these odds.
Nonetheless, Marvel Rivals is off to a promising start. Not only does it boast a healthy 50,000 players, but early impressions from the community call itthe true Overwatch 2 competitorand praise its unique designs, especially for the Spider-people. It doesn’t have a release date yet, but the playtest ends on August 5 so there’s plenty of time to give it a whirl.
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!
