Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 showcase vastly different storytelling approaches, with NetEase outpacing Blizzard in an unexpected way.

Remember when hero shooters used to have compelling stories to match their colorful characters? Marvel Rivals certainly does, and it’s making Overwatch 2 look like it’s been napping on the job for the better part of a decade.

When your story progresses faster than Winston’s recruitment drive. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

In less than three months since its December 2024 launch, NetEase’s superhero shooter has woven a narrative tapestry that puts Blizzard’s perpetually “getting the team back together” storyline to shame. While Winston’s still apparently drafting recruitment emails after ten years, Doctor Doom variants are out here causing multiversal calamities that actually affect gameplay.

The contrast couldn’t be more stark: one game treating its story like the main event, the other treating it like that awkward cousin nobody wants to talk to at family gatherings. And players have definitely noticed the difference.

How Marvel Rivals built a living story while Overwatch 2 kept hitting snooze

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When NetEase promised that storytelling would be central to Marvel Rivals, they weren’t just blowing smoke like a certain gorilla scientist’s malfunctioning jet pack. They’ve delivered a narrative that evolves with each season, using everything from map changes to character interactions to push the plot forward.

The game’s foundation—a “Timestream Entanglement” caused by two Doctor Dooms meddling with time—isn’t just background fluff. It’s a really clever framework that explains why characters from different universes are duking it out, while providing a canvas for ongoing story development.

Lead Narrative Designer Jinghua wasn’t kidding when they told Epic Games that they aimed to “transcend traditional storytelling methods by integrating narrative elements into PvP gameplay.” From the destruction mechanics that reflect story developments to the seasonal themes that introduce new threats, Marvel Rivals makes every match feel connected to a larger narrative.

Meanwhile, Overwatch 2 players have been waiting since 2019 for meaningful story progression, only to receive three 30-minute missions that cost $15 and barely moved the plot forward. As one frustrated player noted:

The beauty of Marvel Rivals’ approach is that it doesn’t force narrative down players’ throats. Those who just want to web-sling and hulk-smash can do exactly that, while comic/lore enthusiasts can dive as deep as they want:

What’s particularly impressive is how quickly the game transitioned from its initial “Doom’s Rise” storyline to the vampire-themed “Eternal Night Falls” for Season 1. In the span of weeks, players witnessed a complete narrative shift that introduced new threats, character motivations, and environmental storytelling—something Blizzard has struggled to accomplish in years.

Could Marvel Rivals succeed where Overwatch 2 failed with PvE?

Some developers tell stories with scraps, others waste treasures. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

While Marvel Rivals is currently focused on PvP, the game’s rich narrative foundation has many wondering if NetEase might eventually add story missions that actually deliver what Blizzard couldn’t:

The comparison is particularly painful considering Blizzard’s recent decision to completely scrap their remaining PvE content for Overwatch 2. After years of promises, delays, and one underwhelming release, they’ve chosen to “double down” on PvP instead—leaving narrative-hungry players out in the cold.

What makes this especially frustrating is that Overwatch has always had the potential for compelling storytelling. The animated shorts and comics proved that. But somewhere along the way, Blizzard lost the plot—literally.

While NetEase hasn’t explicitly confirmed PvE content for Marvel Rivals, they’ve kept the door open. Unlike Blizzard’s approach of promising big and delivering small, they seem to be taking the opposite tack: under-promise, over-deliver.

The game’s narrative structure—with its seasonal themes, gallery system, and character-specific lore entries—already provides a solid foundation for potential story missions. And with 40 million players and counting, they certainly have the audience for it.

What do you think? Has Marvel Rivals set a new standard for storytelling in hero shooters? Would you like to see NetEase add PvE missions to the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!