Opinion: Overwatch 2 Is Better Than Marvel Rivals

Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals are both free-to-play team-based hero shooters, but they play differently. Overwatch 2 features 5v5, first-person combat, while Marvel Rivals goes with a 6v6 setup and a third-person perspective. Marvel Rivals also adds another layer with destructible environments and its “Team-Up” mechanic, which unlocks special abilities when specific hero combinations are used.

When it comes to characters, Overwatch 2 introduces an original cast, while Marvel Rivals taps into the vast Marvel universe to include iconic heroes, villains, and sidekicks. It’s worth noting, however, that many of the abilities in Marvel Rivals are straight-up ripped from Overwatch 2.

Both games are praised for their polished presentation, cohesive art direction, and high-quality animations. That said, Overwatch 2 has seen a decline in player engagement over time, largely due to frustrations with its content updates and progression systems. In contrast, Marvel Rivals launched with strong momentum, which it seems to be maintaining.

I’ve tried both, and Overwatch 2 is the better game. When Marvel Rivals launched, I played it consistently for about a week. When Overwatch 2 launched, I played it solidly through the first season. (And don’t even get me started on how much time I’ve sunk into Overwatch 1.)

Maybe I’d prefer Marvel Rivals if I were more into comic books. Or if it didn’t have the “Team-Up” mechanic, which in my opinion undermines the solo-player experience. It’s not even about the camera perspective — third-person is usually my preference. Overwatch 2 just plays better. The gameplay is tighter and the strategy more deliberate, whereas every fight in Marvel Rivals feels like a chaotic mess where every player is of the same mindset: “Random bulls**t go!!!!”

(Sidenote: Did you know that meme originated from a made-up catchphrase said by Moon Knight from Marvel’s West Coast Avengers series? Fitting, I know!)