'Marvel Future Revolution' Unleashes Cinematic Superhero Action on Smartphones GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Opinion News > Gaming

'Marvel Future Revolution' Unleashes Cinematic Superhero Action on Smartphones

Mobile gameplay meets console-like visuals in this open-world role-playing game

By Matt Cabral Matt Cabral University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Full time writer and editor with 15-plus years experience covering games, tech, pop culture, and travel for a variety of online and print outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, IGN, Apple, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 13, 2021 11:11AM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

Marvel Future Revolution is a mobile open-world role-playing game from the team behind Marvel Future Fight. Its bar-raising graphical presentation brings Marvel's iconic characters to life with incredible detail and visual fidelity.Its combat encounters can feel shallow and chaotic, lacking the depth and nuance of RPG battles. Netmarble Monster Inc Marvel Future Revolution is the next big video game to gather the superheroes—and super-villains—from Marvel's enormously popular stable of comic book characters. But unlike last year's Marvel's Avengers and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy game from Square-Enix, this crime-fighting adventure is a mobile exclusive. This means fans won't be powering up their PCs, PlayStations, or Xbox consoles, but will instead be saving the world on their smartphones. While it's played on iOS and Android devices, Future Revolution isn't necessarily smaller or less ambitious than the big-budget games we're used to enjoying from behind a controller. In fact, developer Netmarble is promising an expansive, open-world role-playing game packed with the sort of graphics and interactivity typically associated with AAA titles.

Powerful Presentation

The first thing that struck me during my preview of Future Revolution wasn't the fist of a henchman, but its stunning visual presentation. As the developer of 2015's Marvel Future Fight, Netmarble has some background in bringing Earth's Mightiest Heroes to life on mobile devices, and they've clearly built on that experience here. Brimming with character-specific details and impressive graphical fidelity, the iconic superheroes pop off the screen with a level of realism typically reserved for PC and console games. Players are treated to this eye-popping showcase from the get-go, as Future Revolution opens with an extended, semi-playable cinematic scene starring its eight protagonists—Captain America, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Star-Lord, Black Widow, Storm, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man. Screen-filling effects, like Storm's lightning-based attacks, steal the show, but subtler touches, such as Star-Lord's signature trench-coat flapping in the breeze, also add to the presentation. This is all supported by immersive background and ambient effects, from crackling fires and falling debris to shadow and lighting tech that significantly ratchet up the realism.

Pretty Pummeling

What's more impressive is the fact Future Revolution maintains the level of visual polish present in its cinematics during its gameplay. In fact, the superheroes' slick attack animations further contribute to the feeling you've been unleashed in a Marvel movie. Netmarble Monster Inc I mostly played as Captain America during my demo, using his signature shield to crush Ultron bots and any other baddies that crossed my path. But while Steve Rogers' basic punches and shield tosses look fantastic, they only scratch the surface of his stylish attacks. You're given access to several moves, all of which light up the screen with over-the-top animations and special effects. Whether pinballing between multiple targets or pounding a single threat into the pavement, the accompanying visuals ensure you're always saving the day with cinematic style to spare.

Chaotic Combat

As much as my eyes were engaged by the on-screen action, my thumbs weren't quite as impressed. Cap has six or so attacks to start, including a satisfying ultimate move capable of clearing the entire screen, but rather than carefully managing his arsenal, you generally can spam moves until the battlefield's clear. Boss battles and higher-leveled enemies put up more of a fight, but most moment-to-moment battles can still be handled by mindlessly wailing on the buttons. It's not just an issue of lacking challenge, but also that combat encounters quickly fill the screen with so much activity it can be difficult to plan and strategize. Toss in the fact all the attack buttons share a corner of the screen with a cluster of six or so other inputs, and it's often impossible to fully appreciate the combat's potential depth and nuance. This isn't to say Future Revolution isn't fun. While the combat can quickly devolve into button-mashing chaos, clearing enemies from behind a stylish arsenal of Captain America-specific attacks still put a smile on my face. And, of course, battling is just one element in an experience overflowing with features. The final game promises absorbing character progression and customization systems, including the ability to mix and match hundreds of costume pieces. An original multiverse story—which sets the stage for rich new worlds to explore, like New Stark City and Hydramerica—is also on the agenda. Additional multiplayer and cooperative modes will fill out the full package, while the evolving game will eventually expand its roster of day-saving characters. In its current state, Future Revolution's combat doesn't quite pack the depth you might expect from a role-playing game. If you're craving some pretty, portable superhero action, however, this one might be worth suiting-up for when it lands on August 25. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire 10 Best Offline RPGs to Play in 2022 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review: An Beautifully Designed RPG for the Switch The 19 Best RPGs for the iPad The 9 Best Nintendo Switch Games, Tested by Lifewire The 10 Best PlayStation 4 Games to Buy in 2022 The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Kids' Games, Tested by Lifewire The 8 Best Role-Playing Games for Android The 13 Best Android Strategy Games of 2022 What Is Final Fantasy? The Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut Review: A Compelling Turn-Based RPG Cyberpunk 2077 Review: Flawed and Unfinished Masterpiece LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Review: An Older Game That Still Holds Up The 16 Best Android TV Games of 2022 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Review: An Immersive Role-Playing Game for the Switch Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Review: A Fun Turn-Based Tactical Role-Playing Game The 10 Best Games on Google Play Pass in 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies