Alright, let’s dive in—or maybe stumble through. It’s kinda funny how I always end up babbling around games like this. So, Phoenix showed up in Marvel Rivals, and suddenly, I thought, “Hey, maybe it’s time to dust off the game—or wait, should I say wake it up from its slumber?” I think it’s mostly out of curiosity more than obsession. I mean, my knowledge of Phoenix is barely Wikipedia-deep. But there’s something about the way she moves that’s just… human-ish. Like, imagine a mutant who doesn’t forgot how to walk like one of us peasants. Anyway—no idea why that excites me, but here we are.
People on Reddit—bless their chaotic brains—keep going on about how snail-like the characters in Rivals move. You know, more sluggish than a gaming snail, if that’s a thing. Some say it’s like slow motion, others mumble something about perspective tricks and how it’s weirder ‘cause Overwatch feels snappier. I kinda nodded along with the slow-motion gang because, let’s face it, who wants to feel like they’re in a leisurely Sunday stroll when it’s supposed to be an adrenaline-pumping shootout? So, yeah, I played less and less. It happens.
But here comes Overwatch 2 with its third-person whatever—it’s Stadium mode, right?—and suddenly everything kinda clicked. Or sort of clicked. I took a look at Phoenix zipping around, and my theory wheels started turning. You know, like when you toss pasta at a wall to see if it sticks. Rivals felt sluggish for a reason.
I ran some weird tests—well, “tests” is a strong word—more like my attempt to not trip over digital shoelaces. In both games, they have these spots to measure stuff. Turns out, if you really squint and measure, characters in Rivals take one gazelle skip longer over five meters. Which, in gamer units, is complicated math, but trust me, it’s kinda significant.
“But why does it even matter?” you might mutter. (No, really, you actually might.) Here’s the kicker: They’re not slow. They’re just… dramatic. Like, pacing for an Oscar moment. I mean, think of ’em trying out for a Baywatch reboot—long, drawn-out movements, pauses long enough to make you want to brew coffee in between.
And then there’s Phoenix, swooping in, making loud whooshing noises and small ka-booms when she lands a hit. More explosively peppy than the Rivals crew, at least in my eyes. Her movements scream urgency. Even with skills that don’t take eons to recharge—is that too much to ask? She’s not really faster, but boy does she feel it. It’s about time someone wove together pizzazz and efficiency without making it feel like dance class.
Ultimately, NetEase finally stirred something cool with Phoenix. She’s not rewriting the superhero rule book, but she plays like someone who knows how to throw a punch without looking like they’re swimming through syrup. And for me, that’s just riveting enough to give it another whirl.
