Marvel Rivals, the acclaimed "Overwatch killer," has enjoyed a spectacularly successful Steam launch, boasting a peak concurrent player count exceeding 444,000 on its first day—a number comparable to Miami's population. While the game's reception has been largely positive, with many praising its fun factor and value, a significant concern revolves around optimization. Players using graphics cards such as the Nvidia GeForce 3050 have reported noticeable frame rate drops.
However, a separate issue gaining traction on the game's Reddit is the inconsistent hit detection. Videos showcasing bizarre hit registration, even with significant distance between characters like Spider-Man and Luna Snow, have sparked debate. While lag compensation has been suggested as a contributing factor, many believe the root cause lies in flawed hitboxes. Professional players have demonstrated a consistent bias in hit registration, with shots to the right of the crosshair consistently landing, while those to the left frequently miss. This points to potentially broken hitbox geometry across multiple characters.
Despite these optimization and hit detection concerns, a key element contributing to Marvel Rivals' positive reception is its battle pass system. Unlike many competitors, battle passes in Marvel Rivals do not expire, eliminating the pressure to grind excessively. This feature alone could significantly influence player perception and long-term engagement with the game.