MultiVersus Review: Iconic Mashup Melee Mayhem
Navigating the highs and the lows of Warner Bros' star-studded platform fighter.
last updated Dec 09, 2023
MultiVersus wades into the platform fighter space with the grace of a T-Rex on a skateboard—clumsy yet somehow majestic.
Button-Mashing with the Stars
In MultiVersus, gameplay is like the buffet of a fan convention: a little bit of everything and plenty to geek out about—if you're into that kind of stuff. Playing with icons like Batman tossing Batarangs at Shaggy, who's armed with nothing but a sandwich and a green shirt, is as bizarre as it sounds, and twice as fun. The controls are slick when showing off those killer moves, even if the depth isn't quite oceanic. The doubles format isn't just there for show, offering a beautifully chaotic dance that caters to team strategists and button-mashing lone wolves alike. Despite occasional encounters with spammy tactics, the game has no short supply of hoops and hollers.
Ear Candy or Earworm?
MultiVersus' soundtrack is a mixed bag of chest-thumping anthems and, well, earworms that could use a little bug spray. The character voice lines are a treat—like finally attending the crossover episode every Saturday-morning cartoon promised but never delivered. Yet, there are times when the soundscape feels like a rerun that just won't quit, eventually blending into a cacophonous background track during those long-haul gaming sessions. Battle noises are punchy, though, making every successful smash feel like an achievement, despite the occasional repetitive one-liner.
A World Where Pixels Collide
Graphically, MultiVersus is as colorful and diverse as the roster of characters duking it out for the top spot. The performance is commendably smooth, helping to keep the eye-candy flowing even during the intense, chaotic melees. While it won't blow your retinas with its artistry, the game does a solid job at keeping you invested visually, even if certain elements feel like they've been recycled from a bygone cartoon era. The matchmaking screen might just be prettier than some of the battle arenas, but c'mon, who's really looking at the background when Batman’s beating the stuffing out of Bugs Bunny?
Microtransaction Mayhem
Ah, the sweet scent of capitalism invades the world of MultiVersus through the pungent perfume of microtransactions. While it's free-to-play, the game reminds you with the subtlety of a brick through a window that your wallet can enhance the experience. With Gleamium, character tickets, and a buffet of things you can spend actual money on, it's easy to feel like you're in a free-to-start experience rather than a free-to-play one. If you can get past the psychological warfare waged by the in-game shop, you'll find a solid fighter underneath.
The Uncertain Future
Despite the rush of delivering a roundhouse as Wonder Woman to Tom & Jerry, there's the looming anxiety of the game's future. Will it return triumphantly with renewed vigor, or fade into the annals of 'Could've Been Greats?' Players pine for its return, hoping that the 2024 promised re-launch will see the dawn of a MultiVersus renaissance. Until then, we're stuck practicing combos on bots and dreaming of glory days past. It's like the game is saying, 'I'll be back,' but in the uncertain voice of a B-list actor, not the Governator.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Player First Games
Publisher
Warner Bros. Games
Release Date
July 19, 2022
Verdict and Summary
MultiVersus wades into the platform fighter space with the grace of a T-Rex on a skateboard—clumsy yet somehow majestic. It captures the heart with its comical matchups and decent controls but weighs down the soul with its commercial aspects and uncertain future. If you can leap over the paywall hurdles and keep faith in its return, it's well worth the free price of admission for the memories of pitting childhood icons against one another in battle.
