My biggest turn-off to PvP shooters is the speed at which I get outpaced. Within days of a release, there’s a meta that the hardcore players are perfecting and anyone outside of that is a lost cause, including me. Forget about having time to learn each character’s moves. You’ve either got it or you don’t, and I definitely don’t.
Still, I gaveMarvel Rivalsa try. A love of superheroes and the persistent assurance from my partner that I would like it convinced me. I entered the in-game lobby with a wary but open mind, and to my surprise, Jeff stole my heart within minutes.
Jeff Is The Perfect Character For Casual Gamers
I don’t enjoy repetitive gameplay, and co-op shooters often fall into that category. Despite the range of match formats, it all boils down to the same pattern: start a match, shoot or be shot, respawn, rinse and repeat. I find it dull when there isn’t much of a payoff for the effort and time spent. Most matches, I’m stuck spectating who shot me.
With limited free time comes great responsibility about how to spend it, but Jeff makes that easy. He’s a support unit that can heal in close range and from across the map. I’d prefer to lurk while Jeff sings the Jaws theme than be on the front lines.
Everyone wants to be the hero, but it’s your healers that carry you.
With the extensive roster of characters, andadditional heroes being added every season, it’s easy to throw in the towel. Besides, I don’t intend to play religiously. I prefer to play on my own, but I can actually join in when friends hop on Marvel Rivals. Jeff is welcome to swim up the walls in almost every round. He’s just a little guy.
It Doesn’t Take Long To Learn
Believe me, I have no trouble making tables and charts for cozy games. As a casual in Marvel Rivals, I want to be useful to the team, but I’m not wired to learn the ins and outs of a DPS character’s kit. I’m a button masher at heart, and Jeff keeps my trigger-happy antics on track.
The team also doesn’t rely on Jeff to carry them. Jeff is a soft squishy shark boy who’s there to have a good time. He’s not expected to beat down the god of thunder single-handedly. He is, however, expected to have a decent aim and basic understanding of physics.
My proudest achievement was arcing the healing spray across the map just in time to save my partner.
There’s typically a learning curve with every game before you get into the swing of it, but Jeff has no such obstacle in Marvel Rivals. He pops into the match with a can-do attitude and the means to support the team. He’s a small but powerful ally even in the least capable hands.
Jeff Offers Better Accessibility For New Players
Getting the hang of the controls when everyone else has been playing longer is the hardest part of online games. Add in a reactive community, detailed gameplay, and competitive environment and eager new players get pushed out. Jeff, however, encourages them to sign on.
The practice arena doesn’t account for fast-paced matches, bad sportsmanship, or the wickedly skilled players that might be the actual Avengers offline.
In one early match, I focused on supporting from afar. As long as I kept my teammates’ health up, I could explore the map and get a better idea of how to help in the future. The moment I got taken out, I figured this would be the norm.
But then Adam Warlock revived me in the heat of battle. A player’s voice cried over the rage of combat, mourning the loss of the landshark. A swarm of heroes rushed to my side and shielded me from danger while I coughed up pink bubbles to heal them all.
It felt like being part of a team–unlike the many other experiences I’ve had with online PvP games. Despite being green, there were strangers supporting me and giving me the chance to actually play the game instead of just spawning in, getting wrecked, and repeating. Maybe it was a one-off experience, but it sold me on Marvel Rivals for life.
I would rather quit than play as another character, and I’m not alone in this.
Holding my attention is tricky, especially with how much content there is, and any other neurospicy gamer understands the struggle of wanting to try something new but not having the patience to grind and perfect their skills.
Besides the inherent hurdles of playing a new game, there’s the added pressure of knowing about each Marvel character and their iterations. The costumes are mercifully based on comic book appearances and include issue numbers, so you can look them up and get invested. Pun very much intended.
If you are only familiar with the extensiveMarvel Cinematic Universe, a landshark with a mouth worse than Deadpool’s is unthinkable. Yet Jeff exists and brings the most iconic heroes together. They all agree that he needs to be protected from harm, fostering the competitive environment in a positive way.
Everyone ends up on a level playing field when there’s a way for gamers of all skill sets to get involved. Maybe that’s just me being optimistic, but Marvel Rivals is doing their roster right.
Don’t Underestimate What Jeff Means
That much is clear–there’s no beating his upbeat attitude and cute tail wags. He’s the puppy you’ve always wanted, but without any fur or ears. Somehow, Jeff pulls it off. Less-experienced players suit up and do their part as a landshark in a fuzzy pink dolphin disguise.
His viral success is a statement to the idea that anyone can pick up Marvel Rivals and have a good time. You don’t need to be an expert or have quick reflexes, and you don’t need a special gamer mouse with extra buttons to emerge victorious in a match either.
While Marvel Rivals isn’t without flaws, Jeff outshines any of them for new players looking to try out an online fighting game at the start. Few titles manage to expertly design a character that fits all levels of experience, let alone make them a viable option long-term.
