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 on social media. The community eagerly embraced the fifth and final season, which launched on February 4 at 9am PT. Developer Player First Games had previously announced the game's closure, promising the addition of DC's Aquaman and Looney Toons' Lola Bunny as the last playable characters. However, the update brought more than just new characters; it introduced significant changes to combat speed, fulfilling long-standing player requests for a faster-paced experience. This shift marks a departure from the criticized "floaty" gameplay of the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and even surpasses the speed seen at the game's relaunch in May of the previous year.
The Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video on X/Twitter showcased the increased combat speed, with characters executing combos and moving across the screen more rapidly. The patch notes for the Season 5 update detailed that the speed boost resulted from reduced hitpause "across most attacks in the game," allowing for quicker 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 certain aerial attacks. Garnet's adjustments balanced her ringout potential, strengthening it on the ground while weakening it in the air.
Despite the positive reception to these changes, the impending shutdown of MultiVersus on May 30 looms large. The game's closure will end seasonal content updates and remove it from digital storefronts, leaving only offline modes available. This has left fans feeling both shocked and powerless, as the game finally achieves the quality they desired just as it is set to end. Social media and forums are filled with reactions, with users like @PJiggles_ describing MultiVersus as "the most interesting bad game in existence" due to its tumultuous journey from beta to relaunch and now to its final update.
Professional players and content creators, such as Jason Zimmerman (Mew2King), have questioned the timing of these improvements, lamenting that such changes could have revitalized the game had they been implemented earlier. Reddit users, including Desperate_Method4032, have praised the Season 5 update for addressing their concerns, with enhancements like improved shield animations contributing to a more polished experience. Despite the game's confirmed shutdown, there remains a glimmer of hope among fans that Warner Bros. might reconsider, given the game's newfound potential.
As the shutdown date approaches, Player First Games and Warner Bros. have shown no signs of reversing their decision. Game director Tony Huynh shared final thoughts on X, addressing player concerns, while Warner Bros. disabled real-money transactions as of January 31, making the Season 5 premium battle pass free for all players. As MultiVersus prepares to go offline permanently at 9 am PT on May 30, the community continues to engage with the game, creating and sharing memes to celebrate its final moments. The bittersweet sentiment is palpable as players enjoy a game that has finally met their expectations, just before its end.
