MultiVersus Fans Celebrate Season 5 Updates as #SaveMultiVersus Trends Before Shutdown

The Warner Bros. platform fighting game MultiVersus is set to shut down at the end of its fifth season in May, yet a recent update has significantly transformed its gameplay, sparking a wave of renewed interest and even a #SaveMultiVersus movement on social media. Launched on February 4 at 9am PT, Season 5 was anticipated to be a farewell to the game, but instead, it introduced sweeping changes to combat speed that have revitalized the player experience. These changes, eagerly requested by the community, have come at the eleventh hour, leaving fans both thrilled and heartbroken.

Developer Player First Games announced the shutdown plans last week, revealing that DC’s Aquaman and Looney Toons’ Lola Bunny would be the final additions to the roster. However, the Season 5 update has brought more than just new characters; it has fundamentally altered the game's pace, moving away from the criticized "floaty" gameplay of the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and the relaunch in May of last year. The changes were first highlighted in a Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video shared on X/Twitter, showcasing faster character movements and more fluid combos.

The patch notes for Season 5 explain that the increased combat speed results from reduced hitpause across most attacks, allowing for quicker combo strings. Specific characters like Morty, LeBron, Iron Giant, Bugs Bunny, and Black Adam have received additional speed adjustments, enhancing their gameplay dynamics. Garnet's abilities have been tweaked to balance her effectiveness in different scenarios, further enriching the combat experience.

While the update has been celebrated for fixing long-standing issues and enhancing the game's quality, the imminent shutdown on May 30 remains a bitter pill to swallow. Warner Bros. Games plans to remove MultiVersus from digital storefronts and end online play, leaving only offline modes available. This decision has left the community in a state of shock and mourning, with players expressing their mixed emotions on platforms like Reddit and X.

Reddit user Desperate_Method4032 praised the Season 5 update for addressing every issue they had with the game, particularly noting improvements in shield animations that have polished the overall experience. Despite the looming shutdown, the user expressed hope that Warner Bros. might reconsider, given the game's newfound potential. However, MultiVersus game director Tony Huynh has confirmed the shutdown plans, and Warner Bros. has already disabled real-money transactions, offering the Season 5 premium battle pass for free as a parting gift.

As MultiVersus approaches its end date, the community continues to share memes and memories, celebrating the game's final moments. The situation underscores a poignant irony: the game has finally reached the level of quality fans desired, just as it is set to disappear.