The Warner Bros. platform fighting game MultiVersus is set to shut down after Season 5 concludes in May, yet the latest update has significantly enhanced the game's combat speed, sparking renewed interest and a fervent #SaveMultiVersus movement on social media. Fans eagerly anticipated the launch of Season 5 on February 4 at 9am PT, which marked the beginning of the game's final chapter. Developer Player First Games had previously announced the impending closure but promised an exciting update featuring new playable characters, DC's Aquaman and Looney Toons' Lola Bunny. Contrary to expectations of a melancholy farewell, the update introduced sweeping changes that accelerated the game's pace, fulfilling long-standing player requests and transforming the gameplay experience.
The community quickly noticed the increased combat speed following Player First's Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video on X/Twitter. These changes mark a significant departure from the criticized floaty gameplay experienced during the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and even surpass the speed seen at the game's relaunch in May of the previous year. According to the Season 5 update patch notes, the enhanced speed is due to reduced hitpause across most attacks, allowing for faster combo execution. Specific characters like Morty, LeBron, Iron Giant, Bugs Bunny, Black Adam, and others have received additional speed adjustments, enhancing their fast fall capabilities during certain aerial attacks. Garnet, on the other hand, has been tweaked to balance her ringout potential on the ground and in the air.
Despite the game's imminent shutdown on May 30, the Season 5 update has revitalized MultiVersus, turning it into an almost entirely new experience. Players are now enjoying more than just the two new characters; they're reveling in the game's newfound speed and responsiveness. However, this comes as a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that this improved version of MultiVersus is temporary. Warner Bros. Games plans to remove the game from digital storefronts and disable online play, leaving only offline modes for fans to explore.
The community's reaction has been a mix of shock and empowerment, as MultiVersus finally becomes the game fans have always wanted, just as it's about to end. Social media is abuzz with sentiments like those from X user @PJiggles_, who described MultiVersus as "the most interesting bad game in existence," referencing its tumultuous journey from beta to relaunch and now, its final update. Professional player Jason Zimmerman (Mew2King) questioned the timing of the speed increase, lamenting that such changes could have been made earlier to potentially save the game.
On Reddit, users like Desperate_Method4032 praised the Season 5 update for addressing all their previous concerns, including improved shield animations that enhance the game's polish. Despite the confirmed shutdown, this user expressed hope that Warner Bros. might reconsider, given the game's newfound potential. "I'm not naïve," they said, "Just a fan with tons of love for the characters showcased in this game. But is it so wrong to have just a LITTLE bit of hope that the game will make a comeback? There's just far too much potential to let things end like this."
As the shutdown date approaches, Player First Games and Warner Bros. remain steadfast in their decision. Game director Tony Huynh shared closing thoughts on X, addressing lingering player questions. Real-money transactions have been disabled since January 31, and the Season 5 premium battle pass has been made free for all players as a final gesture.
MultiVersus will cease operations permanently at 9 am PT on May 30. As the community grapples with the game's end, they find solace in creating and sharing memes, celebrating the game's final moments of glory. It's a poignant reminder of what could have been, as players enjoy a game that finally meets their expectations just before its final curtain call.
