Let’s find out together, in this preview, what are our first impressions of Multiversus: will it really be yet another Smash Bros clone, this time with the Warner Bros roster of characters?
Was there really a need? When we approached Multiversus, the first, unfortunate, thing that came to mind is this: was there really a need? A clone (yet another, perhaps) of Nintendo’s famous Smash Bros, which obviously laid a very solid foundation for the creation of “clones” both for its actual quality and for its truly extreme popularityis about to hit the market, this time in free-to-play form.
We were able to try Multiversusdeveloped by Player First Games and published by Warner Bros, with an Alpha test that we were invited to for several hours, and after having examined the contents we have come to a conclusion. A conclusion that we then decided to put down, black and white, in this quick preview of Multiversus: follow us, and find out with us if there is really something worth waiting for this title.
Doubts, doubts everywhere
As in all similar productions, see the aforementioned Super Smash Bros or Brawhlalla, in Multiversus there will be no type of plot to follow. The game starts, you venture into the very simple menu in front of you and a battle starts. Before doing this, however, we recommend that you start the precise and pragmatic tutorial that, in addition to explaining the basic mechanics (and also the advanced ones, if you decide to complete it all), will unlock the possibility of using another character, Wonder Woman.
As you can well imagine the modes available, even in this limited Alpha, are different, but the main focus is undoubtedly the 2vs2. However, there is no lack of 1vs1 and All Against All, as well as some specific modes against bots: in short, a truly indisputable variety. Variety also given by the roster of characters already usable, in total 15, and all from the very extensive Warner Bros universe. Velma from Scooby Doo as well as a large group of heroes and anti-heroes from the DC universe, such as Batman, Superman, Harley Queen and the aforementioned Wonder Woman. And this is only the beginning.
Balance | Multiversus preview
Whatever the character you decide to use, however, the learning curve is quite balanced, and, the tutorial we have already talked about at the beginning, breaks down the barriers to entry, especially for those who are not used to this type of video game. The more advanced tutorials, moreover, anticipate a whole series of really interesting mechanics that, if developed properly, could really make Multiversus something very different from “the usual clone of”.
As already mentioned, the 2vs2 mode is the core of Multiversus and it is also what most distances it from Smash Bros, notoriously based on single-player fighting. In this case, once the two characters have been chosen, this time they are divided into classes (Tank, Mago …) you can fight against other groups of two characters and take advantage of coordinated skills and moves, greatly amplifying the sense of “team” that has always been inevitably lost in traditional fighting games.
Free-to-play | Anteprima Multiversus
As mentioned at the beginning, for the creation of Multiversus Warner Bros has decided to apply the free-to-play formula, thus giving it a battle pass, of which we were able to get a preview in examining this Alpha test. We can therefore confirm that, at least as regards this first experience, everything that is present as a reward has an exclusively aesthetic function. The prizes are all in fact linked to skins, animations and emoticons to use during the game, dramatically increasing the possibilities of customization without in any way ruining the game balance.
A balance that is not shifted even with the leveling of the characters. Each fighter, in fact, if used consistently will be able to level up and unlock some upgrades to be allocated in special slots. Also in this case, these are new abilities that do not significantly enhance the character in useat least from what we have been able to experience in this Alpha, except in the highest levels of mastery and in the moments when, logically, that character has truly become “ours”.
Cleanliness and simplicity | Multiversus preview
Our test took place on the Xbox platform and, as regards the online sector, we really found ourselves with a smooth and flawless gaming experience, thanks also to the netcode rollback already implemented. No twists from a technical point of view, everything seemed pretty solid to us, with no slowdowns. A praise also to the ease of use of the lobby, which features a Really lean and easy to read HUD. And we remind you that everything will be cross-play from the launch.
Let’s wait!
In conclusion of this quick preview of Multiversus, we admit it, we had to change our minds. We approached the Alpha thinking we were facing yet another banal Smash Bros clone, even in a free-to-play sauce. Instead we were happy to change our mind: the possibilities behind the title of Warner Bros and Player First Games are quite high, given its starting points, and we really hope they can adequately expand both the game mechanics and the various season passes, without never lapse into excessive monetization as an end in itself. We will see!
Multiversus will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S in the course of 2022. Let us know if you too have tried the Alpha below in the comments, we will continue to keep you updated with all the news, guides and reviews on gaming and tech themes! And if you are interested in game keys at advantageous prices, we recommend that you take a look at the InstantGaming catalog!