MultiVersus, the crossover fighting game that brings together characters from DC Comics, Game of Thrones, Scooby-Doo, Friday the 13th, and more, is relaunching on May 28 with a slew of new content and gameplay improvements.
Following a closed beta period in July 2022 and a subsequent delisting in June 2023, MultiVersus is now gearing up for a full relaunch with a number of significant changes and additions.
From a gameplay perspective, MultiVersus definitely feels like a more polished and intense fighting game now, with the developers focusing on improving online play, adding new gameplay mechanics like parries and dash attacks, and upgrading the game to Unreal Engine 5 for better visuals and performance.
During a recent preview session, I got to go hands-on with three new characters: The Joker from DC Comics, Banana Guard from Adventure Time, and Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th. I also experienced Rifts, the new PvP update that improves MultiVersus’ offerings for players who aren’t competitive-minded.
While the core combat of MultiVersus is stronger than ever, the game’s presentation outside of battle remains somewhat soulless and clinical. The menus are reminiscent of free-to-play mobile games, with a heavy emphasis on microtransactions and currencies. This is a constant reminder that WB’s corporate overlords are hoping MultiVersus will be a financial success.
I had hoped that Rifts would help shake this feeling, but it doesn’t. Each rift contains a loose story that plays out across several encounters and culminates in a boss fight. Some of these are standard fights, others add unique stage gimmicks, and some are minigames that recontextualize gameplay.
Kraft hopes these minigames and Rifts at large “help players to learn and understand the characters in a less stressful environment,” and I do think it succeeds at this. It’s where I got the hang of Jason Vorhees before heading online while playing as him.
That said, Rifts lack personality in how they are presented. In a game that boasts an impressive voice cast, it’s disappointing to see all dialogue play out in text boxes with no additional audio. Once again, it’s also presented in a clinical-looking menu rather than something more charming like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s World of Light or Mortal Kombat 1’s Invasions.
If you’re not in a fight, MultiVersus gives the same exact vibe as mobile games like Marvel Strike Force. There is some clear passion on display thanks to developers who truly care about the characters featured, but it’s all buried under microtransactions and menus that subtly direct you toward purchases.
MultiVersus now lacks the novelty that allowed me to overlook that problem when it first launched, so while I do think it’s fun to play, its retained core issue is harder to ignore than ever.
MultiVersus relaunches for PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on May 28.
