Warner Bros.’ mascot platform fighterMultiVersusis in a strange spot right now. The game is still undoubtedly popular, but its initial burst of hype has died down. Even with characters and adjustments coming out regularly, player numbers on Steam have slipped considerably. Thanks toMultiVersus’ free-to-play nature, these could spike again at any time, but it will take some seriously valuable additions to draw fans back in.
Fortunately,MultiVersusstill has lots of room for new content. The game hasn’t left open beta yet, meaning that its bare menus have plenty of space for new ways to experience its core gameplay and expansions for old modes.MultiVersuslaunched with online and offline versus modes with singles or doubles formats, customization options, tutorials, and a training lab. Over the course of Season 1,MultiVersusadded a ranked online modeand an experimental arcade mode. Building on this seems like the only way forward, especially if it gives casual players a reason to stick around. With the potential for everything from a stage builder to eight-player mayhem, the possibilities for this successful platform fighter feel limitless.
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Expanded Arcade Mode
The first and arguably most important mode forMultiVersusto flesh out is its arcade mode. Also known asClassic Mode inSuper Smash Bros., this is a series of fights against AI opponents with minimal story context. It’s barebones right now, but in the future there could be opening and ending cutscenes, branching paths, bosses, or gimmick stages along the way. A great arcade mode can provide hours of replayable singleplayer content as a casual player runs through it with their favorite characters and potentially a co-op partner. It’s a simple format for a singleplayer mode, but with competitors likeSmashproving that so much more can be done than the baseline,MultiVersusneeds to step up its game here.
Tournament Mode
Less valuable but potentially as important for player retention is the addition of a tournament mode. This allows players to set up offline or online brackets for players and bots to fight through. Larger fighting games tend to be this mode’s exclusive hosts, but that makes it a sort ofprestigious symbol thatMultiVersuscan easily adopt. At its best, it can combine with custom lobbies to enable anyone to set up an online tournament for their community. This mode would encourage improved spectating and bot match capabilities, so many players are hopeful that it will appear.
Story Mode
However, there is no mode inMultiVersusmore desired than a story mode. This could take any form, ranging from a series of cutscenes punctuated by fights like modern NetherRealm Studios games to a map full of short challenges likeSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s World of Light. Some platform fighters likeSlap CityandSuper Smash Bros. Brawleven included entire stages in their stories to make the experience feel like a regular action platformer.MultiVersushas major potential for a voiced storymode featuring its crossover cast, and the presence of the newly created Reindog is begging for an interactive origin story.
Challenge Modes
Rounding out the highlights are challenge modes, many of which are scattered throughout theSuper Smash Bros.series.Things like Break the Targetsand Home-Run Contest encourage players to think about gameplay differently, and help them train certain skills while going for a high score.MultiVersuscan easily attach online leaderboards to modes like these, and other challenges like an endurance fight or even a full-on mission mode would also be great additions. With the potential for unique cosmetics locked behind these various singleplayer and co-op modes, players would spend much more time withMultiVersusthan they would have if it was just devoted to fighting online.
MultiVersusis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
