Okay, let's be real for a second. Remember when Marvel Rivals first dropped? The hype was real! Everyone was buzzing about the next big hero shooter. Fast forward to 2026, and the vibe has... shifted. Dramatically. I've been playing since the beta, and lately, logging in feels more like a chore than the fun escape it used to be. Don't just take my word for it—the Steam reviews have officially plummeted to "Mixed." The honeymoon period is well and truly over, folks. So, what happened? Where did all that initial excitement go?
🚨 The Core Issues: It's Not Just One Thing
Let's break down the main pain points that have the community so frustrated. It's a perfect storm of problems that's pushing players away.
1. Character Balance & Matchmaking Mayhem
This is arguably the biggest complaint. Playing a match often feels like a coin toss. Will you get a fair game, or will you be utterly steamrolled by a team running the latest overpowered meta comp? The matchmaking system seems to struggle with creating balanced teams, leading to one-sided stomps that are zero fun for anyone on the losing side. It feels like the devs are constantly playing catch-up with balance patches, and by the time one hero is nerfed, another has risen to take its place as the must-pick.
2. The Currency Conundrum & FOMO Overload
How many different currencies does one game need? Seriously! Between credits, tokens, season pass points, and event-specific resources, it's becoming a part-time job just to keep track of what buys what. This is paired with aggressive time-locked events that scream "Fear Of Missing Out." Can't play for a week because, you know, life? Too bad, you just missed that exclusive skin or crucial upgrade material. This constant pressure to log in daily or miss out is exhausting and turns the game into an obligation.
3. The Cringe-Worthy Ads That Make Us All Cringe
This one is almost funny if it wasn't so painful. NetEase's marketing team seems to be living in a different universe. Remember that ad featuring a "streamer" playing Star-Lord? 
It was like a caricature made by someone who has never met an actual gamer. The forced, lame jokes and awkward delivery had the entire subreddit roasting it. One player nailed it: "This ad looks like a fake mobile game." Another said it was "reverse advertising"—making you feel gross for ever having played. And let's not forget the infamous TikTok ad from a while back that had to be pulled for promoting sexual violence. When your ads are actively driving players away, you know there's a major disconnect.
🤔 So, What's The Verdict? Can It Be Saved?
I genuinely loved this game at the start. The core concept is solid: Marvel heroes in a team-based shooter? Sign me up! But the execution lately has been lacking. The issues aren't just cosmetic; they're fundamental to the gameplay experience. Unbalanced matches and predatory monetization/FOMO tactics are a recipe for player burnout.
The community's voice is clear. The shift from "Mostly Positive" to "Mixed" on Steam is a huge red flag. Players aren't just quietly leaving; they're voicing their disappointment. For a live-service game, the player base is everything. If NetEase wants to turn this ship around, they need to listen—really listen—to the core complaints about balance, matchmaking, and player respect (starting with those ads!).
It's 2026. Gamers have more choices than ever. We don't have to stick with a game that feels like it's working against us. Marvel Rivals has incredible potential, but potential doesn't keep servers full. Action does. Here's hoping the devs take this feedback to heart before it's too late. Because right now, for many of us, the thrill is gone.
Research highlighted by Game Developer (Gamasutra) helps frame why live-service hero shooters like Marvel Rivals can slide from early excitement into “Mixed” sentiment: when balance cadence, matchmaking quality, and monetization pressure (multi-currency grinds and FOMO-heavy events) start to feel misaligned with player time, frustration compounds quickly and undermines retention even if the core combat loop is strong.