MultiVersus Review – Lost in the BetaVerse Transition

MultiVersus, developed by Player First Games, initially promised a groundbreaking experience in the world of platform fighters. Launched in open beta in July 2022, it combined beloved Warner Bros. properties into a vibrant, chaotic world. Although the game was taken down shortly after its release, it returned in 2024 with the promise of an improved version, leveraging player feedback to refine its approach. Unfortunately, the newest iteration might feel like a step back for many, almost as if it's stuck in a perpetual beta phase.

Familiar Territory

At its core, MultiVersus hasn't strayed far from the formula introduced during its beta. Borrowing heavily from the Super Smash Bros. series, this platform fighter is centered around knocking adversaries off the stage with a unique emphasis on 2v2 combat. The diverse roster, featuring characters from various Warner Bros. properties, remains its standout feature.

These characters, paired with equally varied stages, continue to shine thanks to exceptional design. Whether you're a fan of Batman's gadget-aided controls or the technical setups of Tom and Jerry, each character's moveset is a nod to their unique quirks and the universe they hail from.

Slowed Down, Not Better

The first major change in this new version is the overall slower pace of combat. Clearly intended to enhance screen readability, this modification unfortunately detracts from the game's dynamic nature. The animations feel sluggish, lacking the weightiness that should come with reduced speed.

Combat's general floatiness—a common critique from the beta—remains unaddressed, making air battles feel less impactful compared to similar games. One small positive is the increased knockback for damage over 100, which helps prevent matches from dragging on.

Perks And Pitfalls

The perk system, which offers various bonuses to characters, has been slightly reworked. However, these perks still don't quite gel with competitive modes and sometimes feel overpowered in casual matches. The hope is that Player First Games makes further adjustments to balance this aspect.

Perks adding complexity is a lingering issue, but it’s compounded by the less-than-ideal camera angle. The zoomed-in view can feel restrictive, while the colored outlines—although helpful—might be considered distracting to some players.

Lacking Essential Features

Despite the development time, MultiVersus is still missing essential features expected in a fully launched game. There are no leaderboards, after-battle reports, or advanced tutorials, among other omissions. This makes for a rather underwhelming experience for players seeking a more comprehensive package.

Particularly glaring is the inability to try out unpurchased characters in training mode, a basic feature in many modern games. This oversight seems significant, especially given that unlocking new characters requires a considerable investment of time and resources.

Free-To-Play Frustrations

The numerous currencies involved—ranging from Perk Currency for unlocking perks to Prestige Currency for rare cosmetics—feel overwhelming and detract from the game's enjoyment. Coupled with the convoluted menu design, it leaves players constantly inundated with reminders about these systems.

Furthermore, the mechanics don't feel balanced or fair. For instance, obtaining Battle Pass experience is tied solely to Missions, halting progress when Missions are completed, which can feel incredibly restrictive.

Rifts: A Hard Miss

Rifts, the new single-player mode, offers varied combat scenarios and mini-games but falls short in engagement. The story framework presented is weak, doing little to retain player interest over extended play sessions.

This mode tends to become repetitive quickly, and unless future updates bring significant improvements, Rifts are unlikely to be the compelling alternative to the multiplayer experience that the developers may have hoped for.

Online Matchmaking Woes

Currently, MultiVersus only offers casual matchmaking for 1v1 and 2v2 battles, without any skill-based matchmaking. This can lead to unbalanced matches where the skill levels vary widely, resulting in inconsistent gameplay experiences.

Additionally, the rollback netcode presents its own problems. Although the action appears smooth, there's noticeable input delay, and the servers struggle under pressure, making seamless matches a rarity.

A Loaded Environment

The experience is further hampered by the visual and functional clutter of the main menu. Designed more to push free-to-play elements than to be user-friendly, navigating becomes a chore, adding to the overall frustration.

In tandem with forced reminders about currencies, missions, and microtransactions, the menu layout stands out as one of the primary user experience issues, making it difficult to focus purely on enjoying the game.

A Tentative Future

While MultiVersus shows promise, it is evident that it struggles to escape its beta heritage. Essential features are missing, the gameplay changes don’t always enhance the experience, and free-to-play mechanics feel almost predatory.

The hope remains that future updates will address these issues, making the game a more polished and enjoyable experience. Until then, MultiVersus feels like it's still in a state of transition, stuck in the BetaVerse.