Marvel Rivals is already in its invite-only beta, and it’s bringing players and combat into a genre that Overwatch 2 still dominates (even with all its issues). But it looks like NetEase has pulled off a trick to get more people into the comic-book-based third-person shooter: Jeff. He’s a minuscule land shark with an adorable collar who’s taking the game by storm.
Announced at San Diego Comic Con last weekend, Jeff is now playable in Marvel Rivals for those lucky enough to be invited. He originally debuted in 2016’s West Coast Avengers, but has since become a comic book fan favorite, appearing alongside Deadpool, Kate Bishop, and more.
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Jeff plays a support role in Marvel Rivals, healing his team and moving quickly around the map with his activated dive ability. His ultimate, however, is just plain disgusting, allowing players to swallow enemies in a enormous radius and then spit them out in a target area nearby. He feels really solid, which only adds to his appeal.
While I didn’t like Marvel Rivals when I previewed it earlier this year, the game is gaining a lot of praise from Overwatch refugees and Marvel fans. Some, including our writer Fran, feel it harks back to Overwatch’s earlier, shinier past. No matter which way you fall in the debate, it’s always good to have competitors fighting in the genre so that we don’t get complacent.
It’s also nice to see more niche characters appear in Marvel Rivals. While some, like The Punisher and The Hulk, are a given, Jeff and Peni Parker aren’t exactly substantial names in the minds of average Marvel fans (outside of the Spiderverse movies, maybe), so it’s nice to see them get a little more time on the substantial stage.
Are you excited to get your hands on Jeff? Let us know below!