The hitbox in Marvel Rivals is controversial

Reddit discussions surrounding Marvel Rivals, the purported "Overwatch killer," have highlighted significant gameplay concerns. A highly-commented thread showcased problematic hit detection, with instances of Spider-Man registering hits on Luna Snow from an improbable distance. Further examples revealed inconsistencies where hits visually missed yet still connected. While lag compensation has been suggested as a contributing factor, the core issue appears to stem from flawed hitbox implementation.

Professional players have demonstrated a consistent bias in hit registration, with shots to the right of the crosshair consistently connecting, while those to the left often fail. This, coupled with reports of multiple characters exhibiting severely broken hitboxes, raises serious questions about the game's accuracy and balance.

Despite these issues, Marvel Rivals' launch has been remarkably successful, boasting a peak concurrent player count exceeding 444,000 on Steam—a figure comparable to Miami's population. Optimization remains a major point of contention, with noticeable frame rate drops reported even on mid-range graphics cards like the Nvidia GeForce 3050. However, positive player feedback emphasizes the game's enjoyable and worthwhile nature. A key factor contributing to this positive reception is Marvel Rivals' non-expiring battle passes, eliminating the pressure-cooker environment often associated with similar titles. This design choice significantly impacts player perception and enjoyment.