The Warner Bros. platform fighting game, MultiVersus, is set to shut down at the end of Season 5 in May, yet a recent update has transformed its gameplay, sparking a #SaveMultiVersus movement across social media. The community eagerly embraced the fifth and final season, which launched on February 4 at 9am PT, following Player First Games' announcement of the game's closure. The update introduced DC's Aquaman and Looney Toons' Lola Bunny as the last playable characters, but it was the significant changes to combat speed that truly captured players' attention. These adjustments, long requested by the community, have revitalized the game, making it faster and more engaging than ever before.
The excitement began when Player First released a Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video on X/Twitter, showcasing the increased combat speed. Players noticed that characters could now chain combos and move across the screen at a much quicker pace, a stark contrast to the criticized "floaty" gameplay experienced during the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and even the game's relaunch in May of the previous year. The patch notes for the Season 5 update detailed that the speed increase was due to a reduction in hitpause across most attacks, allowing for faster combo execution. Specific characters like Morty, LeBron, Iron Giant, Bugs Bunny, Black Adam, and others received additional speed adjustments, enhancing their fast fall capabilities during aerial attacks. Garnet's adjustments balanced her ringout potential, making her a more nuanced character.
Despite the positive reception to these changes, the looming shutdown on May 30 casts a shadow over the game's future. Warner Bros. Games plans to remove MultiVersus from digital storefronts and disable online play, leaving only offline modes available. This has left fans feeling both shocked and powerless, as the game finally reaches the quality they had hoped for. Social media and forums are filled with reactions, with X user @PJiggles_ describing MultiVersus as "the most interesting bad game in existence" due to its tumultuous journey. Professional player Jason Zimmerman (Mew2King) questioned the timing of the speed increase, while a Reddit user lamented that if the game had started with these changes, it could have been a major success.
The community's sentiment is a mix of celebration and mourning. Reddit user Desperate_Method4032 praised the Season 5 update for addressing all their concerns, from improved shield animations to overall polish. Despite the impending shutdown, they expressed hope that Warner Bros. might reconsider, citing the game's newfound potential. However, Player First and Warner Bros. remain firm on their decision, with game director Tony Huynh sharing closing thoughts and addressing player concerns. Real-money transactions were disabled on January 31, and the Season 5 premium battle pass was made free for all players as a final gesture.
As MultiVersus approaches its final days, set to go offline permanently at 9 am PT on May 30, the community continues to engage with the game, creating and sharing memes to cope with the bittersweet reality. The fighting game community finds solace in the fact that MultiVersus finally met their expectations, even if only for a short time before its end.
