Nickelodeon All-Star Brawlhas been on the market for a little over a month now, and it has proven to be a decent addition to the platform fighting genre. Its familiar characters and colorful stages have gone over well with many Nickelodeon fans, and its online multiplayer features have proven to be a success so far. Even if it’s not always perfect,Nickelodeon All-Star Brawlhas been a solid option for those familiar withtheSuper Smash Bros.formula, but it won’t be the only option for long. After some leaks and speculation,MultiVersuslooks to be a new contender for the platform fighter crown.
MultiVersushas been the center of many rumors, and now it’s finally official for those that have been looking forward to the project. The game looks to collect numerous properties that fall under the Warner Bros. umbrella, from DC heroes like Batman, to Arya Stark from Game of Thrones. While making a platform fighter in the wake ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatemay seem like a bold move,Nickelodeon All-Star Brawlgot enough buzz to prove that it can be done. Although the pressure may be twofold onMultiVerseas a result ofAll-Star Brawl’s established presence, the Warner Bros. fighter already looks like it will have some key advantages.
RELATED:MultiVersus Fighting Game With Batman, Arya Stark, Shaggy, and More Officially Announced
MultiVersus' Fully Voiced Cast
WhenNickelodeon All-Star Brawlfirst released, one of the primary complaints around it was the fact that it didn’t have full voice acting. For a game centered around iconic voices such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Nigel Thornberry, it still lingers as a missed opportunity. Fortunately,MultiVersusisn’t making the same mistake. Developer Player First Games quickly established that its fighters will be voiced by the iconic actors that often represent them. With Kevin Conroy’s Batman,Matthew Lillard’s Shaggy, and Maisie Williams' Arya Stark making just a portion of the cast, it should prove to be a feature that helpsMultiVersusfeel like a more immersive experience.
MultiVersus' Customization Features
The characters seen in theMultiVersusreveal come from very colorful backgrounds, with many of them taking on different appearances in their own respective mediums. In a similar vein toSuper Smash Bros.,MultiVersuswill allow players to customize their fighters with different outfits that provide their own fun references. Fans could briefly see Black Lantern Superman and Shaggy in a Bruce Lee inspired outfit, and the developer promises more live-service style support as the game goes on. When looking atNickelodeon All-Star Brawl’s lack of customization, it’s a feature that could make all the difference forMultiVersus.
MultiVersus' Free-To-Play Model
Perhaps the biggest edge thatMultiVersushas overNickelodeon All-Star Brawlis how it can be played. In a remarkable move for a game this ambitious with such stiff competition,MultiVersuswill be completelyfree-to-play. This will most likely lend itself to some monetization mechanics for things like new outfits and future DLC fighters, but having practically no barrier to entry could giveMultiVersusa huge playerbase right out of the gate. Even if the game’s profits aren’t at the same level asAll-Star Brawl’s launch, continued support ofMultiVersusthrough a free-to-play model could ensure it reaches and even exceeds those profits.
For a game that is trying to break out in a genre that has been dominated by one game and is trying to be influenced by another,MultiVersushas already made a great case for itself. No one can take the crown ofSuper Smash Bros., but when it comes to usurpingNickelodeon All-Star Brawlas the hot new platform fighter,MultiVersuscould have what it takes to get the job done. Fans of the manyWarner Bros.properties featured inMultiVersuswill just have to keep a close eye on the project’s development to get a better idea of if that might be the case.
MultiVersusis set to release in 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
