With the release of Emma Frost and the new Krakoa map,Marvel Rivals’ second season is well and truly underway. Shifting the narrative focus from Dracula and his invasion of New York City, the heroes have some time to relax, unwind, and live the life of luxury at the Hellfire Gala on Krakoa—at least untilUltron arrives inMarvel Rivalsto spoil the fun.
But despite how successful a second seasonMarvel Rivalshas had thus far, something is missing. There’s arguably a missed opportunity that’s slipped through NetEase’s fingers when it comes to its handling of one of the biggest annual events of the Marvel Universe, and while it’s way too early to call anything final, it’s fair to say that so much more can be done with the Hellfire Gala.
Marvel Rivals' Hellfire Gala Should Be an Annual Event Rather Than a One-Time Season
What is The Hellfire Gala About in the Comics?
Like so much of the lore inMarvel Rivals, the Hellfire Gala is a very recent addition to Marvel media, tracing its origins back to the 2021 crossover event of the same name. Hosted and funded by the club of the same name, theHellfire Gala has become an annual event in-universe.
How The Hellfire Gala Could Come Back to Marvel Rivals Next Year
The skins currently in the game and theskins being teased forMarvel RivalsSeason 2are fantastic and appropriately lavish. That said, there are just way too many characters in the game for everyone to be fairly represented this season. That’s not to say that it’s impossible to expect gala-inspired skins added in the future, though. NetEase can keep adding formal attire skins for as long as it wants, but doing so without any thematic connection to the biggest night in the Marvel Universe seems wrong.
The answer is simple: the Hellfire Gala should be a recurring annual event. It’s a little early for that now, with the function being tied to the entirety of Season 2’s plot, butMarvel Rivalsis still in its infancy, and there’s plenty of room for the gala to return around this time next year as a seasonal event. This would give NetEase the perfect opportunity to release more formal wear cosmetics, as well as give some love to the heroes who came out after Season 2 concluded.
For example,Galacta’s Cosmic Adventure eventdemonstrates how the gala can be easily incorporated into future seasons. The event allowed players to complete challenges and collect several free cosmetics, including a Black Widow skin. Something similar could return in the future, allowing for NetEase to lean on the Hellfire Gala as a means to keep content flowing and have an annual event unique to the Marvel mythos.
