It’s been an exciting few weeks for theMarvel Rivalscommunity. As Season 2.5 began to wrap up, fans set their sights on what could be coming inMarvel RivalsSeason 3. An onslaught of leaks soon hit the internet, claiming that Blade and Jean Grey were being added as playable heroes inMarvel Rivals' next season, and that the season’s story would revolve around Knull, the god of the Symbiotes. Those rumors turned out to be true.
Marvel RivalsSeason 3: The Abyss Awakens has been officially confirmed, and its launch date is set for July 11. With a week still to go before release, developer NetEase has begun its gradual unveiling of the upcoming season’s content, includingMarvel Rivals' new wave of Battle Pass skins, a new map, and the full reveal of Season 3’s introductory message, which forges a sincere connection between two unlikely heroes.
Marvel Rivals' Heartfelt Jean Grey and Venom Connection Explained
When booting up anew season ofMarvel Rivalsfor the first time, players are presented with a long text message from developer NetEase. This message introduces the new season’s narrative themes, highlights the season’s most important characters, and usually gives a little bit of insight into the development process. NetEase has just releasedMarvel RivalsSeason 3’s introductory message.
An even lengthier message than normal, Season 3’s introduction talks about NetEase’s desire to adapt Knull, but not knowing which hero would be best suited to take him down. NetEase’s partners at Marvel suggested thatJean Grey and the Phoenix Forcecould pave the way for some interesting stories, with the hero’s light being the thing to unite heroes against Knull’s forces of darkness. This concept apparently electrified the team, but during development, they realized that it isn’t “just a ‘Symbiote Season’ or a ‘Phoenix Season.’ It’s something more.”
What follows is a lengthy section dedicated to the relationship betweenEddie Brock and the Venom Symbiote. NetEase says “they’ve long surpassed friendship or family, even the most intimate words don’t describe the bond they share,” and that “through cycles of hurt and healing, of parting and reunion, they rediscovered their humanity and transformed…into a hero, a protector.”
This is a really lovely summary of Venom’s character arc of the last few decades, but what makes it even sweeter is the next part of NetEase’s message, which forms a connection between Venom/Eddie Brock and Phoenix/Jean Grey, who “share a bond just as deep and complex.” It’s said that from the Phoenix, “Jean learned to be bold,” and from Jean, “the Phoenix learned restraint.“Marvel Rivals' version of Jean is one that’s reached a “perfect union” with the Phoenix Force.
In most mainstream depictions of the Phoenix Force – and most depictions of Venom before the 2018 movie – these human-alien relationships are usually portrayed as more parasitic than symbiotic.The Phoenix Force corrupts Jean Greyand turns her against her friends, while the Venom Symbiote heightens Eddie Brock’s anger and hatred. It’s really nice to seeMarvel Rivalsturn the tables and show how these relationships have actually strengthened its versions of these heroes.
Marvel Rivals' Season Intros Continue to be a Strength
Though long passages of text aren’t everybody’s cup of tea – especially when they appear on the start-up screen every time the game loads –Marvel Rivals' season introductions are usually surprisingly earnest. NetEase will often take the themes and heroes of the new season and link them to the development team’s journey in a genuine way. Season 1, for instance,introduced The Fantastic Four toMarvel Rivals, and NetEase’s introductory message talked about the family it had forged in the studio while working on the hero shooter.
Most players will probably skip straight past these messages every season, but it’s nice to see a developer be so candid about its experiences working with such a beloved IP.
