Marvel Rivals has officially taken a bold step into PVE territory with its new Marvel Zombies mode, and it’s a reminder that sometimes less hype means more fun. Developed by Netease, the mode drops four players into chaotic, wave-based battles against hordes of zombies. Finishing a wave gives players the chance to upgrade their abilities, experiment with builds, and carve their own path to survival. It’s simple, fast-paced, and refreshingly addictive.
The contrast with Overwatch’s PVE efforts is hard to ignore. Blizzard’s hero shooter tried to capture the cooperative magic years ago with limited events like Junkenstein‘s Revenge and, more ambitiously, the story missions that were meant to redefine the game. But those missions never became what former director Jeff Kaplan promised. Blizzard promised deep, replayable experiences with Diablo-esque progression. Instead, they scrapped the initial vision and delivered PVE story missions that were bland and soulless.
That’s where Marvel Rivals seems to have found its edge. By keeping Marvel Zombies low-stakes and focused purely on fast, cooperative action, Netease avoided the pitfalls of overpromising. There are no lengthy cutscenes or heavy story beats, just instant, gratifying gameplay that keeps players engaged. It fits perfectly with the dopamine-driven playstyle common in modern shooters and battle royales.
The question now is whether Marvel Rivals can use this success to shift the balance in the ongoing rivalry with Overwatch. On the PVP side, Blizzard reigns supreme with tighter balance and smoother mechanics. But Netease’s willingness to innovate, and its access to the Marvel IP gives Marvel Rivals limitless creative edge. The addition of Marvel Zombies shows how easily Netease can breathe new life into the genre without reinventing the wheel.
If Netease continues expanding its PVE offerings, Marvel Rivals could become the definitive hero shooter for players craving cooperative fun. For now, Marvel Zombies stands as proof that PVE doesn’t need a massive budget, campaign, or cinematic story to succeed. It just has to be fun first!
Check out the video embedded above to get my full take on Marvel Zombies in Marvel Rivals.
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