Sam Wilson is coming to Marvel Rivals, but it won’t be in the form of a skin for Seve Rogers’ Captain America. He will be a standalone character.

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Marvel Rivals, the live-service superhero shooter developed by NetEase Games, has become a standout success in 2024. In a year where we’ve seen several large-scale failures in the genre, NetEase’s hero-shooter that came out in December has been a bright spot for live-service games. And it’s getting even better.

A still from Marvel Rivals.Very cool of NetEase to do it this way. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

A recent leak suggests that Sam Wilson, also known as the Falcon and the current Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will soon be joining the game as a standalone playable character, rather than a skin for Steve Rogers. This decision has delighted players while also raising questions about how characters with overlapping identities can coexist within the same game.

Marvel Rivals has taken another bold step with its roster decisions

A still from Marvel Rivals.Fans are definitely on board with the idea. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

Marvel Rivals developers have confirmed that Sam Wilson will not be a reskin of Steve Rogers, the current Captain America in the game. Instead, he will be a fully playable character with unique abilities and playstyle, much like Peter Parker and Miles Morales being separate Spider-Men. This choice underscores a commitment to authenticity, respecting each hero’s unique identity and combat style.

Sam Wilson, originally known as the Falcon, has a rich history both as an Avenger and as a symbol of progress in the Marvel Universe. By making him a separate character, the game avoids reducing him to a mere alternate version of Steve Rogers.

This choice has received both positive and negative comments from fans. Some fans have questioned the need for two Captain Americas in the same game. Historically, Steve Rogers is synonymous with the title, and introducing another version could create confusion or dilute the character’s impact.

The addition of Sam Wilson as Captain America in Marvel Rivals could lead to an identity crisis for the character within the game. Steve Rogers has always been the face of the Sentinel of Liberty, embodying timeless ideals of heroism. Introducing Sam as an equal instead of a successor could be problematic.

There is a bright future ahead for Marvel Rivals if the devs keep it up

A still from Marvel Rivals.The game has been a standout success this year. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

The decision to keep Sam Wilson and other “echo characters” as distinct entities could reshape Marvel Rivals’ roster strategy. As we get more leaks about other potential additions like Miles Morales, Anti-Venom, and Beta Ray Bill, this approach allows the game to delve deeper into the multiverse concept.

The multiverse concept in Marvel Rivals allows for exciting team combinations, but it also raises questions about balancing similar characters. If Sam Wilson joins as another Captain America, NetEase will have to make him unique while avoiding redundancy. In the comics and MCU, Wilson’s Captain America is notably different from Steve Rogers, and it will have to reflect in-game.

The gaming industry has faced numerous setbacks this year, with high-profile failures like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and XDefiant highlighting the risks of shallow design choices. Marvel Rivals, however, has stood out as a bright spot, thanks in part to its thoughtful character roster and adaptation of the Marvel IP.

What do you think of NetEase’s approach to this situation? Would you rather the devs do it differently? Let us know in the comments!