The Marvel universe is a sprawling tapestry, weaving together over six decades of tales, featuring a myriad of characters, various superhero line-ups, cherished story arcs, legendary locales, and alternate worlds each offering fresh takes on familiar narratives. In its early days, Marvel Rivals stands out as a tribute to the lavish universe of Marvel, nodding to its expansive lore with finesse.
In its debut season, Marvel Rivals introduces 35 playable characters, with a pair more on the horizon in the coming weeks. This diverse cast spans the breadth of the Marvel multiverse, bringing together groups like the Avengers, X-Men, Brotherhood of Mutants, Fantastic Four, and countless others, all united in a single game setting. But, a particular segment of the Marvel Rivals’ lineup also brings to light a poignant reminder of a shelved Marvel initiative.
### Marvel Rivals’ Spider-Verse Content Reopens Some Old Wounds
For fans longing for a Spider-Verse adaptation in the realm of video games, Marvel Rivals is the closest they’ve gotten so far. Drawing inspiration from the 2010 game Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, the Web of Life and Destiny creates a bridge to the multiverse, connecting the “Spider-Totems” – those individuals across dimensions who have gained abilities from a radioactive spider. This Web plays a central role in the Spider-Verse as crafted by Marvel comics and is prominently featured in Marvel Rivals.
Set against the backdrop of two Tokyo 2099 maps, players are tasked with navigating the intricacies of this multiverse web. Their mission is to either guide Spider-Zero in mending the temporal rift caused by the Timestream Entanglement or assist the Master Weaver in harnessing the rift’s power for the Web of Life and Destiny.
Among Marvel Rivals’ offerings, players can embody classic Spider-Totems such as Peter Parker’s Spider-Man and Peni Parker. While not a conventional Spider-Totem, Venom is available as an honorary Spider-Person. These characters have several voice interactions, some of which cleverly nod to the expansive Spider-Verse mythos.
### Insomniac Could Have Done So Much With The Spider-Verse
Although it’s exciting to witness a comic-rooted Spider-Verse getting its spotlight in gaming, it stirs bittersweet feelings among Spider-Man devotees. In December 2023, a significant breach at Insomniac Games unveiled plans of a Spider-Verse multiplayer offshoot titled “Spider-Man: The Great Web.”
News quickly followed that Insomniac had already decided to pull the plug on this Spider-Verse multiplayer venture long before the leak occurred. Initially, the revelation wasn’t particularly gut-wrenching since the game’s supposed existence was only known for a short period. However, when unofficial trailers of “Spider-Man: The Great Web” surfaced online in March 2024, it reignited nostalgia and disappointment over the missed opportunity for such a title.
Insomniac Games is largely celebrated for their gripping, single-player narratives, so the decision to abandon an expansive, multiplayer Spider-Man project might be justified. Nonetheless, the tantalizing concept of a Spider-Verse multiplayer game teases immense potential and unexplored avenues that could have been a monumental addition to Insomniac’s Spider-Man series.
Marvel Rivals, created by NetEase Games, brings a new dimension to the gaming scene with its team-based PVP format. Players are encouraged to assemble dream teams of Marvel heroes and villains, exploring dynamic battlefields that change with each season, engaging in fast-paced 6v6 matches loaded with interactive environments. The game enables participants to leverage team synergy by pairing heroes like Rocket Raccoon with Groot for unique abilities or using Hulk’s power to amplify Iron Man’s attacks. Ruled by Unreal Engine 5, this third-person shooter stands as a vivid testament to the evolving Marvel universe, shining brightly even in the face of what might have been with the canceled Spider-Verse project.
