Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals steal each other's thunder

Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals are in a constant tug of war for the hero shooter community. Although the perspectives offered are different and each game has its own quirks, so be it Overwatch's Perks or RivalsHero teams play close enough that their player bases overlap significantly. So when one game does something new and fresh, it's likely to attract fans from the other title, meaning the two titles are in a constant state of competition. Ultimately, competition is healthy for the video game industry because players benefit from these competitors pushing each other to be the best. The latest announcements for each game feel like they're intentionally encroaching on the other's territory, whether it's lore or co-op play.

Overwatch 2's Lore Codex helps catch up to Marvel Rivals' stellar narrative

overwatch 2 invasion ramattra zenyatta cinematic

The Overwatch 2 the universe is full of interesting stories and lore, with most of the characters having ties to other cast members, and the show's world is full of bold reimaginings of real places. For this reason, players have long demanded an Overwatch 2 animated series, as the occasional animated shorts don't take full advantage of what Blizzard has available. While it remains to be seen if or when fans will get their wish, Blizzard has recognized that it needs to step up its game when it comes to storytelling, and its first step in doing so is the lore codex.

The feature is expected to arrive very soon and will come with a timeline full of animated shorts, motion comics and more for players to view while waiting for their next match. Overwatch 2Invasion's story missions feature a sort of lore codex filled with messages between characters and journal entries, but this is hidden behind a menu of missions that few players click on. The new codex will seemingly be much more accessible and contain a lot more content, allowing players who may not follow it Overwatch 2external media to catch up on anything they may have missed.

Overwatch The lore 2 codex is expected to arrive with a mid-Season 19 patch, so it will be added sometime in early November.

overwatch season 2 event 19 spooky masquerade skins

Considering how great Marvel Rivals has made do with its lore, whether it's the pages of each hero's stories or the interesting seasonal stories accessed through the comics in the gallery, it's definitely an area where Rivals beats Overwatch 2. While Marvel Rivals will probably still have the edge until Blizzard comes up with stories for each season that move the plot forward, and also with something as neat as a comic book cover for the lore, it's clear that Overwatch 2 coming for one of the Marvel Rivals' best features.

Marvel Rivals' first PvE experience fills the void left by Overwatch 2

Marvel Rivals Zombie Mode Scarlet Witch

on the other hand, Marvel Rivals takes up the fight Overwatch 2 very early on the PvE front. Much has been said Overwatch 2PvE struggles, whether it's the broken promise the original concept was for OW2 or failed Hero Mastery: Gauntlet mode. The archive missions are getting dusty, the invasion missions have missed the mark and aren't played much anymore, and while they had potential, Diablo– the themed Trials of Sanctuary was basically a one-off. While it would be great to see more PvE missions like Wrath of the Bride, fans will have to settle for Junkenstein's Revenge again in Season 19. Overwatch 2 was once a consistent source of PvE LTM engagement and had the potential to be something more, has since stagnated – perfect timing for Marvel Rivals strike.

Marvel Rivals Zombie Queen of the Dead Game Mode

Marvel RivalsThe first shot at PvE content comes in the form of a Marvel Zombies-a themed horde mode that will work similarly to the aforementioned Junkenstein's Revenge. Players choose from Magik, Thor, Blade, Punisher, or Jeff the Land Shark to defeat massive groups of undead NPCs. While it's unclear if this mode will be a hit, it's likely just the beginning of PvE content for the NetEase game. Not only is it well-timed, as the competition is re-releasing a very old PvE mode in the same month, but also because the October 24th launch date puts it close to Halloween. The Marvel Zombies the animated series have also focused more on this specific concept, so there could certainly be quite a bit of interest in the mode. While Overwatch 2 finally it's better off with its lore, PvE continues to be the franchise's sore point, Marvel Rivals the perfect reason to keep experimenting with co-op content until it's gold.


Overwatch 2 Tag Page Cover Art


Released

August 10, 2023

ESRB

T For Teens // Blood, mild language, tobacco use, violence


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