As the exciting journey of Season 2 in Marvel Rivals unfolds, players find themselves immersing in the mutant-driven battlegrounds of Krakoa, facing off against the relentless army of Ultron. The success of Rivals has been remarkable since its inception, largely attributable to its rich storytelling and the continuous expansion of its cherished roster of heroes and villains.
This season promises fresh experiences with the introduction of Vanguard Emma Frost and the anticipated Krakoa map. Players can also look forward to the unveiling of Ultron at the halfway stage, with rumors hinting at a potential second map. Accompanying these developments are an array of new characters and innovative team-up options designed to reinvigorate gameplay. Notably, Season 3 will see a strategic shift, shortening each season to two months and introducing a new hero each month.
10
Mercenary Recruitment
Bringing In The Hired Guns
The Marvel Universe teems with mercenaries who are more than willing to switch allegiances, making them ideal candidates for a scenario marked by rivalry among three factions. While finding iconic maps to represent this theme poses a challenge, there is a plethora of vibrant locations in the Marvel lore that could translate into captivating battlefield settings. Prominent characters such as Deadpool and Hit Monkey have already surfaced in leaks, making them prime candidates for such a theme.
Additional recognizable names within this realm include Domino, Taskmaster, Silver Sable, and Cable, each possessing unique abilities that could lead to entertaining gameplay mechanics. For instance, Taskmaster’s skill of mimicking opponents and Domino’s knack for luck could make them exciting additions.
9
Thunderbolts
Anti-Heroes Rise To The Call
The Thunderbolts mark an ideal fusion of content inspired by Rivals and ongoing developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This concept holds tremendous potential, allowing for character costumes, themed maps, and new additions that could further enhance both the game and the film’s promotional efforts. Although the game and the MCU may not align directly in terms of release, the synergy could serve as effective cross-promotion.
Anticipated character additions could include Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and Sentry, drawn primarily from the MCU’s lineup. However, tapping into the comic’s rich tapestry of anti-heroes and villains—like Baron Zemo, Red Hulk, Elektra, and Abomination—poses exciting opportunities for diversifying the roster.
8
Kingpin & Daredevil
Exploring New York’s Darker Side
Building on the popularity of the MCU, a potential season centered around Kingpin and Daredevil would tap into the darker narrative of New York. This storyline could be more localized, but it offers a prime opportunity to leverage the resurgence of these iconic characters. Interestingly, leaked details about Daredevil suggest a passive ability, indicating that developers are actively working on his integration into the game.
Kingpin could serve as a compelling Vanguard characterized by a uniquely crafted skill set. Alternatively, if Kingpin is not feasible for development, other “street-level”threats, such as Tombstone or Hammerhead, could be interesting, albeit less impactful choices.
7
Blade & The Midnight Suns
The Supernatural Superheroes
With Blade’s omission from Season 2, his reintroduction alongside the Midnight Suns could be timely. This supernatural assembly has a plethora of intriguing adversaries that could enrich the overarching narrative. Given that some members already exist in the game, implementing cosmetics for this season would be relatively seamless. However, selecting which Midnight Sun to include could prove challenging due to their extensive and talented roster.
6
Spider-Verse
The Most Chaotic Multiversal Adventure
Expanding the Spider-Verse theme in Rivals could yield memorable experiences, considering the franchise’s success. The storyline could further explore the dynamics established in the game’s Tokyo maps while also drawing inspiration from the vast comic universe. Choosing just two characters from the extensive list of Spider heroes would present a unique challenge.
Miles Morales, a rising star among Spider characters, would undoubtedly make the list, while other candidates such as Gwen Stacy and Spider-Man 2099 could also feature, each bringing a distinct flavor to the gameplay.
5
Thanos & The Guardians Of The Galaxy
An Avenger-Level Crisis
Thanos stands as one of the most desirable additions to the Marvel Rivals roster, blending both narrative and gameplay dynamics. Envisioning a seasonal arc where he collaborates with one of his ‘Dooms’ would introduce significant stakes. Incorporating his Infinity Stones ability would offer a unique Vanguard role that developers would need to balance carefully, yet they have successfully navigated similar challenges in previous seasons.
This theme also presents an excellent opportunity to introduce characters from the Guardians of the Galaxy. Gamora or Drax could both serve as engaging new Duelists, with Gamora having a more profound narrative connection to Thanos, making her a prime candidate.
4
The Sinister Six
Spider-Man’s Greatest Villains Join The Fray
The Sinister Six embodies one of Marvel’s most formidable villain groups, presenting an exciting avenue for either Doom. Implementing a seasonal arc focused on this assembly would be akin to the size and complexity of Season 1, involving significant development effort. Keeping the roster to the most notable members would be most effective.
Doctor Octopus would deliver a menacing Vanguard presence, introducing new mechanics through his formidable arms. Pairing him with either Electro or Vulture could result in the development of aerial Duelists, enhancing the gameplay experience with vertical elements.
3
Captain Marvel & The Skrulls
A Galaxy Full Of Enemies
Integrating the Skrulls into Marvel Rivals opens the door for creating a Super Skrull, although the specifics of their abilities would depend on which variations the developers choose to include. Nonetheless, a Super Skrull would diversify the gameplay, functioning as a versatile character capable of filling multiple roles.
2
Hydra Takeover
Rewriting History
Crafting a seasonal storyline around Hydra offers rich potential, leveraging established lore and a variety of cosmetic offerings. A prominent feature could include uniforms such as the Captain Hydra costume. However, character additions may be somewhat limited based on how the developers choose to frame Hydra’s involvement.
Key characters for consideration would be Baron Zemo, Red Skull, and Crossbones. While Crossbones may face challenges in terms of originality compared to Punisher, Zemo and Red Skull will require creative approaches to differentiate them in gameplay. This highlights a potential challenge for Rivals as they expand their roster, especially when dealing with characters lacking superhuman powers.
1
Knull & The Symbiotes
Joining The Symbiote War
As a formidable presence, Knull’s integration into the game is a natural fit, with possibilities for positioning him as either a Vanguard or a Duelist. The secondary role could feature one of the iconic Symbiotes, such as Carnage or Anti-Venom. Carnage’s abilities lend themselves to a more aggressive playstyle, whereas Anti-Venom could introduce new strategic elements.
Marvel Rivals continues to explore an expansive range of themes, exhibiting a willingness to intertwine diverse elements of its multiverse. While the above ten themes draw heavily from established Marvel narratives, the evolving landscape of the game suggests exciting new directions, reaffirming Rivals potential to deliver uncharted adventures.