The history of video games has long been intertwined with the adaptation of existing ideas. Take Taito's Space Invaders, for instance, which sparked the shoot-'em-up genre and led to the creation of titles like Galaxian, Phoenix, and Gorf. These games took the basic concept and added new elements, setting a precedent for the way games evolve. Later, 1984's Karate Champ gave birth to the fighting game craze, and Tetris introduced the concept of falling-block puzzlers. This cycle of adaptation, expansion, and passing on the baton has been a constant in the gaming industry. However, there is a fine line between imitation and inspiration, and not all games manage to cross it successfully.

Marvel Rivals: Overwatch with a Marvel Twist

Marvel Rivals, the latest live service game from Chinese mega publisher NetEase, is a prime example of this phenomenon. It is essentially Overwatch with Marvel characters. The game features a colorful roster of comic book heroes, each with their own unique skills, who battle it out in a series of sci-fi arenas. For example, Punisher, with his machine gun, is like Overwatch's Soldier 76 with a touch of Bastion. Adam Warlock, the god-like healer, is the male version of Mercy. And Hulk, as a fist-thudding tank, is like a rampaging gorilla Winston with less hair. Gaming site GamesRadar has even created a handy guide to help players match their favorite Overwatch characters with the Marvel cast members.The well-worn tropes and abilities of the hero shooter genre have been remixed to fit the Marvel universe, adding an undeniable appeal. Whether it's using Thor's hammer to bludgeon enemies, catapulting exploding acorns as Squirrel Girl, or lobbing Captain America's shield at Black Panther's body armor, Rivals captures the comic book dynamism of the Marvel cast. All 33 heroes are available for free from the start, and there is a store and a battle pass that offers alternative outfits, emotes, and other accessories. Completing daily missions and seasonal story objectives earns currency to purchase these items without spending a dime.

Unique Team-Up Features

One of the game's biggest new features is Team-Ups. When at least two players on the same side choose complementary characters, they unlock extra hero abilities. For instance, there is the Symbiote Bond between Venom, Spider-Man, and Peni Parker, which allows the latter two to channel Venom's alien powers. There is also Ragnarok: Rebirth, which enables Hela to heal or revive Thor or Loki. These kinships can greatly enhance tactical play and add a new dimension to the game.

Balancing Challenges

However, in many ways, Rivals also reflects the key tenet of the hero shooter design bible: for every plus, there must be a minus. With its large roster of Marvel super freaks and their Team-Up powers, the game can feel extremely unbalanced at times. Characters like Storm and Iron Man can stay in the air for the entire match, picking off enemies from a distance and avoiding most of the incoming fire. Big-hitters like Venom and Moon Knight tend to dominate any area they're in, often at the expense of melee-based combatants who need to get up close to deal major damage. Wolverine, who was not expected to be one of the more refined characters, has surprisingly found his niche in the game.

Gorgeous Visuals with a Downside

The game is undeniably lavish to look at and interact with. The user-interface design around menu systems and information screens is exceptional, and the destructible locations are filled with detail. The characters are beautifully re-created, bringing the Marvel universe to life. However, during the chaos of a superhero riot, with explosions and magic attacks flying around and "hilarious" quips being exchanged simultaneously, it can be difficult to determine what you're damaging and what's damaging you until it's too late.Buffs and nerfs will likely be implemented to balance the characters over time, and players will start learning how to combine team members more strategically. But even if the balancing issues are addressed, the game still raises questions about the future of the gaming industry. Is it necessary to replicate and re-franchise instead of broadening or challenging a genre? Studios that take risks with new ideas or original characters seem to be doomed to failure in the current live service market.Marvel Rivals is out now and is free to play with in-game purchases. It offers an entertaining and visually stunning experience, but its existence serves as a cautionary tale about the state of the mainstream games industry.