Many platform fighter fans are excited over the prospect of the recently announced MultiVersus. WB Games and Player First Games are working on a crossover fighting title filled with characters from Warner Bros.' massive catalog of franchises. This title has enormous potential, and is only made better by being free-to-play and having cross-platform multiplayer. Combined with high production values and a stacked cast of voice actors, MultiVersus may be the fighting game to beat now that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has finished development.
MultiVersus isn't content to do things the same way as every other platform fighter, it seeks to be a different kind of competitive experience than most. The genre was initially founded on the principle of making fighting games that anyone could pick up and enjoy. Thus, free-for-alls and one-on-one battles have seen the most support. MultiVersus is taking a different approach, designing itself around two-on-two team fights. Doubles has always been a competitive format in Smash, but in MultiVersus collaboration is a lot more all-encompassing than in other platform fighters.
How Does Co-Op Work in MultiVersus?
MultiVersus will primarily focus on its versus mode, supporting online and offline play. Players will be able to level up characters for rewards and extra perk slots, and various other daily challenges will be available like in other fighting games that took a service approach. People will be able to choose between one-on-one, two-on-two, and free-for-all gameplay, and also seem to be able to pick whether custom perk loadouts are enabled. Custom lobbies will also be available, with players able to substitute AI partners for missing players.
As for how the co-op is regulated, players will probably be able to pick whether they want to play with a random partner or a friend. This second player might be able to form a team offline like in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but this has not been detailed yet. Different games handle the order of character selection online differently, though MultiVersus may allow players to set a preferred character before going into team play. That said, because of MultiVersus’ use of different character roles, players will probably also get a chance to rearrange their team once they are matched with a partner.
What Separates MultiVersus' Gameplay From Other Platform Fighters
There need to be such options in place to ensure team synergy can be formed with anyone. MultiVersus is the first platform fighting game to include fighting mechanics specific for team play. Characters will have access to special moves that perform a utility for themselves and their partner. Some grappling hooks will be able to grab allied characters, some shields will work for both team members, and some special effects like invisibility or a warp tunnel can also be conferred. Support and Tank characters like Reindog, Steven Universe, and Wonder Woman are particularly focused on supporting their team, whether through providing defense or something else.
This opens the door to a lot of creative design and gameplay opportunities. Not only will usual doubles format synergies apply, but there will also be special attacks and probably perks that mesh with other characters in different ways. Players will be able to express themselves individually and on a team, and matches will be decided by how well members can cooperate. Character designs can also be made with different gimmicks in mind, especially since solo play will still be an option. MultiVersus is bringing a major paradigm shift to the platform fighter scene, and it will be interesting to see how it expands this idea in the future.
MultiVersus will release in 2022 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.