Rumbleverse - What We Know So Far

The 2021 Game Awards ceremony was full of ups and downs, especially in terms of new game announcements. Many fans have been focused on big upcoming titles like "Star Trek: Resurgence" and "Wonder Woman," just to name a few, though they may have missed the news about an upcoming free-to-play "Brawler Royale" that might be of interest to fans of "Fortnite" and "Apex Legends." Promising melee-heavy combat in a vibrant and whimsical city setting, "Rumbleverse" seems to offer a lot of what players are looking for these days.

Set in Grapital City, according to the game's official site, "Rumbleverse" will feature close combat, crate upgrades, and customizable champions who get fired out of cannons. Though cosmetic microtransactions will be offered for character customization, the game will be truly free with no need for any subscriptions or even a controller. Players on PC will be able to join with their keyboard and mouse, so the barrier to entry is low. 

Given the game's nonexistent price tag and its fast-paced gameplay, "Rumbleverse" definitely deserves a look, especially considering how soon it will be available.

Believe it or not, some fans already got a taste of "Rumbleverse" during an 8-hour First Look event on Dec. 10, 2021. The next opportunity will be the Feb. 8, 2022 Early Access Beta, which, unlike the full game, will require a $19.99 purchase for guaranteed play. A limited number of other players will be selected to join the beta for free through a sign-up on the "Rumbleverse" site. While the First Look only opened up the experience to next-gen console players, the Early Access period will be available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. As a bonus, those who choose to invest in the Early Access Pack will get some extra virtual currency and costumes to make it worth their while.

Hidden in plain sight on the "Rumbleverse" official site, right under the FAQ section, is the game's official release date. Considering the upcoming Early Access Beta is heavily emphasized, the Season One might be missed by many potential players. However, it has been confirmed that players can get started with a "Rumbleverse" battle pass on Feb. 15, 2022, barring any delays.

More than likely since it is a free-to-play game, most players will opt to wait one week for the free, full release of "Rumbleverse" on Feb. 15, 2022 instead of going for Early Access seven days prior. Even so, the high-energy trailers may have convinced some folks that waiting even a few days extra isn't an option.

So far, there are two trailers for "Rumbleverse." The reveal trailer kicks off in the style of an old film, first announcing involvement of Epic Games Publishing and development by Iron Galaxy. A "Rumblin' Through History" segment follows, in which an off-screen announcer narrates brawls through the ages — from prehistoric times to ancient Rome to the Wild West, all the way up through today.

Upbeat rock music cues up as a muscled champion belly flops onto the competition. A contender chugs what looks like an energy drink before meeting him head-on. More battle ensues as fans see a variety of bizarre scenes, like a champion wielding a folding chair as a weapon and a horse head mask, a bouncy car that helps another scale a tall building, and the final two fighters flying face-first into the ground before the final cut.

As for the gameplay trailer, this slightly shorter 90-second preview offers a look at the giant human cannonball launch center, which sends players soaring through the sky until they touch down in the city. Players are shown serving sucker punches as they jump between cars on the highway, as well as dealing knockouts and visible damage atop tall buildings. After everyone gets their fill of throwing each other off buildings, viewers get a peek at the combatants' signature celebrations.

As confirmed at the very end of the official reveal trailer, "Rumbleverse" will be available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. It's been confirmed that crossplay will be supported on all platforms, making it easier for players to connect with one another no matter how they log on. Getting ahead of any potential technical difficulties, the team behind the game has already launched multiple support accounts on Twitter and added platform-specific resources for players to utilize at launch.

Though all seems secure for a seamless release, only time will tell whether each console has its own set of quirks. Both "Apex Legends" and "Fortnite" fans have noticed differences between platforms that can impact gameplay, so it will be interesting to see if this proves the same for the upcoming battle royale.

With the Feb. 15 launch of Season One right around the corner, all eyes are on "Rumbleverse" as it enters a competitive genre of gaming.