It’s tough not to draw parallels between Marvel Rivals and Overwatch, especially with the upcoming Chinese New Year event feeling so familiar. For those of us who have been immersed in Blizzard’s hero shooter for the last eight years, the deja vu is real.
Kicking off on January 23, the Spring Festival brings a temporary mode that resembles Rocket League—minus the cars, of course. Dubbed Clash of Dancing Lions, this mode is set in a large arena with goals at each end. Players will maneuver characters like Black Widow, Iron Fist, and Star-Lord, all sporting dancing lion skins, to score goals. Swap these characters with Lúcio from Overwatch, and you basically have Lúcioball, a mode that’s been part of Overwatch since its first Summer Games event in 2016.
Interestingly, Marvel Rivals appears to give its heroes dancing lion MVP animations similar to those in Overwatch. Obviously, neither game originated the Chinese New Year festivities or the traditional lion dance, but the resemblance among these events is undeniable.
Overwatch is pulling out all the stops for its Lunar New Year celebration this year, partly because it’s slated to return to China on February 19, thanks to publisher NetEase. Announced by game director Aaron Keller on Xiaohongshu, a social platform also known as RedNote, players can expect the comeback of several cosmetics and a host of new skins inspired by Chinese mythology in the next season.
Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals will have its moment to shine. Even if the new mode ends up distinct from Lúcioball, fans are likely to comment on its Overwatch-like feel. This isn’t necessarily a downside, but it certainly brings up questions about how much of Marvel Rivals will seem tailored for Overwatch enthusiasts as time goes on.
