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 sweeping changes to combat speed that truly captured players' attention. These changes have resulted in a much faster-paced experience, fulfilling a long-standing request from the player base just as the game nears its end.
The noticeable increase in combat speed was first highlighted in a Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video shared on X/Twitter. Players familiar with the game have observed significant differences, with characters now able to chain combos and move across the screen more rapidly than before. This marks a departure from the criticized "floaty" gameplay experienced during the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and even surpasses 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 a reduction in hitpause across most attacks, allowing for quicker 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's adjustments balance her ringout potential on the ground and in the air, refining her already swift gameplay.
Despite the positive reception to these changes, the reality remains that MultiVersus will cease operations on May 30. This closure will end seasonal content updates and remove the game from digital storefronts, leaving only offline modes available. The timing of these improvements has left fans feeling both elated and frustrated, as expressed by X user @PJiggles_, who described MultiVersus as "the most interesting bad game in existence." Professional player Jason Zimmerman (Mew2King) questioned the timing of the speed increase, suggesting it could have been a game-changer if implemented earlier. A Reddit user echoed this sentiment, lamenting that had the relaunch started with these changes, MultiVersus might have had a different fate, drawing a comparison to the successful launch of Apex Legends.
The community's reaction has been a mix of celebration and mourning, with players like Desperate_Method4032 on Reddit praising the Season 5 update for addressing all their previous concerns, including improved shield animations. Despite the impending shutdown, there's a glimmer of hope among fans that Warner Bros. might reconsider, given the game's newfound potential. However, MultiVersus game director Tony Huynh has confirmed the closure plans, and Warner Bros. has already disabled real-money transactions, offering the Season 5 premium battle pass for free as a final gesture.
As MultiVersus approaches its final days, the community continues to engage with the game, sharing memes and enjoying the improved gameplay. The bittersweet sentiment is palpable, as players celebrate a game that has finally met their expectations, only to see it come to an end. The #SaveMultiVersus movement reflects the community's passion and their desire to see the game continue, even as the shutdown looms.
