Few companies possess the number of memorable and compelling characters that are required to create a platform fighter comparable to the Super Smash Bros. series. Warner Bros. has teamed up with developer Player First Games to bring together a diverse roster of favorite characters. This includes Harley Quinn and Bugs Bunny. The result is a lot of fun multiplayer chaos. However, MultiVersus has a laser-focused focus on competitive multiplayer. While some aspects of the game are not as exciting, it still offers a refreshing take on an ever-crowded genre.
MultiVersus is clearly supported by the Warner Bros. family, and has the money to carry out Player First’s vision, unlike last year’s competent but underwhelming Nickelodeon All Star Brawl. The DC superhero trio of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are all available for piloting. Although the initial open beta roster of 17 characters is a little small, I don’t think it will matter in the long-term. The cast has already been expanding in the coming months. Just recently, basketball star LeBron James and Space Jam legend Morty were added.
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The cast of voice actors is impressively faithful and the roster is compact but still has a lot to offer. It’s a great way to make these characters feel real by having actors like John DiMaggio (Jake the Dog), Kevin Conroy(Batman), Matthew Lillard (“Shaggy”), and Maisie Williams ( AryaStark) back in their roles. It’s wonderful to hear voices that I have grown to love from movies and cartoons. Reindog is a unique creation that allows for new faces to join in the fray.
Puncha Some Buns
MultiVersus matches can be played as 1v1, 2v2, 4v4, or 4-player free-for all battles. These battles take place in places such as a creepy Scooby Doo-inspired home or the Bat Cave-equipped cavern. The limited selection of stages is bland and lacks identity other than the two main attractions. Even though they are supposedly inspired by iconic sites such as the Adventure Time treehouse, the three other locations seem like they could be anywhere. The music makes up for it. I love to brawl at the Sky Palace to hear the amazing instrumental cover of Steven Universe.
Your goal in Smash Bros. is to inflict damage on your opponent to make it easier for them to fly off into the void at their screen edge to get a kill. There are two attack buttons for characters. These represent normal hits and flashier special strikes. You can perform different moves by moving the analog stick up or down while unleashing an attack. It’s easy to recognize, but it’s well-executed. Your character can be controlled as quickly and fluidly as possible, despite the chaotic gameplay of a platform fight.It’s as easy as I could hope to control your character. “
Because of the limited mobility options that most of the roster has, I feel almost always in control. Double jumps and dodges can be used to navigate the airspace, escape from danger, avoid projectiles or launch a devastating attack of your own. Player First decided to allow wall jumps. This allows for daring, exciting saves. Instead of falling to your death, you can stay on the platform side and stick to it.
MultiVersus is also different from other players in that 2v2 is the preferred mode of play. This makes MultiVersus unique and refreshing. These team battles can be a lot fun. Each character is assigned a class that encourages a particular playstyle in order to complement their partner. You can choose to be the frontline tanks or the tough-hitting assassins, the agile and deadly attackers, or the support classes and ranged mages. Your team composition is crucial to winning against more experienced opponents. It’s great to see how Bugs Bunny’s toon gimmicks work together with Wonder Woman’s crowd control and protection. Although I was naturally drawn to tanks like Superman or The Iron Giant, it’s been a great experience learning more about Steven Universe and the details of being a support character.
Rollback Netcode
MultiVersus is so important that online multiplayer is available, I believe the rollback netcode for remote multiplayer sessions must be amazing. It has worked across all of the over 100 matches I have played. The majority of fights were played with responsive and smooth controls on both PC and Xbox. This is true for both wired and wireless connections. Although I have encountered some problems online, it is very rare. It can be chaotic and almost impossible to play online when the connection goes down. Characters may run aimlessly off the edge of cliffs or race around the stage, only to reappear a few seconds later. Moments like this are rare and not the norm.
Each match can have up to four perks. This allows you to customize your playstyle and support your partner. There are three options. These can affect attributes such as movement speed and damage dealt. Your teammate may have the same perks. The fourth slot is for signature perks. These perks modify specific character abilities and attacks, such as Taz hacking up an Anvil when he eats an enemy projectile. Perks are a valuable addition to any match, and I especially appreciate them when I am playing with someone who can help me build a strategy.
Unfortunately, the lack of local multiplayer options is a side effect of 2v2 competition. You can currently play with up four players on one device in free-for-alls or team battles. However, there aren’t enough options to keep me interested with my friends if you want to have an unpredictable, anything-goes party. FFA may occasionally have items, but the rocks, dynamite and ice weapons don’t add any surprises to the chaos that’s already going on. MultiVersus is a disappointing casual game because it lacks stages.
A Caboodle Full of Collectables
MultiVersus is a great step forward in free-to-play fighting games monetization. Although there are some pitfalls and negative connotations to the free-to play model, it can also be a boon to fighting games as it allows more people to try out a game without spending any money. Player First ensures that all aspects of gameplay are accessible by simply playing the game, without any pay-to win concerns.
Leveling up characters, or spending the gold currency earned by playing matches, completing daily missions, and rewarding tracks can unlock perks. You can buy characters with Gleamium (real-money premium currency), or character tickets. These are only available to founders who have purchased the optional packs. Although only four characters can be unlocked at the beginning, I found that playing for just a few hours can earn enough gold to unlock another. It’s easy to learn a few characters and then move on to the next one once you have enough gold.
Gleamium Pricing and Premium Item Pricing
Gleamium can also be bought in bundles for 450 ($4.99) or 1000 ($9.99), 2200$19.99, 6000 ($49.99), and 3000 ($19.99). Variant costumes can be purchased for 500, 800, 1500 or 2000 Gleamium, depending on their rarity. Characters are 700 Gleamium each if you don’t mind paying the 1500-3000 Gold. Character emotes are available in three different prices: 200, 350 or 500 Gleamium, depending on whether the item is rare, uncommon or extraordinary. For rare items, ringout animations cost 800 Gleamium and for epic items, 1200 Gleamium. This means that no matter what you’re looking to buy, Gleamium bundles will not match the price.
Gleamium can also be used to unlock cosmetic items such as character variant costumes and emotes. Profile icons, ringout animations and profile icons are all possible with Gleamium. These cosmetics can be fun, especially the skins that alter the character’s aesthetic down to the voice lines. Some of these items’ pricing is not compatible with the Gleamium bundles that are available. This forces you to purchase more than necessary – although it’s not a new practice, but it’s still an inefficient one. It will cost you to purchase Luau Velma and Batman: The Animated Series skins. These skins are not necessary, but I will be interested in purchasing them if they come up, like Black Lantern Superman. Gleamium is not the only way to get cosmetics. There are also other ways to obtain these items, such as through season passes that come with premium rewards or by leveling up your character. These are great reasons to keep playing and engage even when I don’t have the money.
Verdict
MultiVersus, a competitive platform fighter, is loud and exciting. It rewards players who learn the strengths and weaknesses from its diverse cast of characters and work together as a team. Although it is not as easy to pick up and play online like Smash Bros., its focus on 2v2 makes it stand out from other similar games. MultiVersus will need to expand its current selection of characters and stages, but it is already solid.