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

The Warner Bros. platform fighting game, MultiVersus, is set to shut down at the end of Season 5 in May, yet the recent sweeping changes to combat speed have revitalized the gameplay, sparking a #SaveMultiVersus trend on social media. The community eagerly embraced the fifth and final season, which launched on February 4 at 9am PT. Developer Player First Games announced the closure last week, introducing DC’s Aquaman and Looney Toons’ Lola Bunny as the last playable characters. Contrary to expectations of a melancholic farewell, the update brought extensive movement changes, significantly increasing the game's pace. These long-awaited adjustments, which players have requested for years, have arrived just as the game nears its end.

Players noticed the enhanced combat speed following Player First's Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video on X/Twitter. The changes mark a stark departure from the criticized floaty gameplay during the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and even surpass the speed seen at the game's relaunch last May. The patch notes for the Season 5 update reveal that the increase in combat speed results from a reduction in hitpause "across most attacks in the game." This adjustment allows for faster combo execution, with specific characters like Morty, LeBron, Iron Giant, Bugs Bunny, Black Adam, and others receiving additional speed tweaks, enabling them to fast fall during certain aerial attacks. Garnet's adjustments enhance her ringout potential on the ground while reducing it in the air, balancing her as an already fast character.

Season 5 transforms MultiVersus into a nearly unrecognizable game, offering much more than just new characters. However, this update marks the game's final chapter. Player First's successful implementation of long-desired gameplay changes comes just as MultiVersus is set to close on May 30, ending seasonal content and removing the game from digital storefronts. Warner Bros. Games will eliminate online play, leaving only offline modes for fans to enjoy.

The timing of these improvements has left fans feeling both shocked and powerless. X user @PJiggles_ described MultiVersus as "the most interesting bad game in existence," reflecting on its journey from beta to relaunch and the sudden increase in combat speed. Professional Super Smash Bros. player Jason Zimmerman (Mew2King) questioned the timing of the speed increase in a reply to a Player First post. A Reddit user expressed frustration, stating, "if this was how the relaunch started off we could’ve really had something," drawing a comparison to Apex Legends' success due to its strong fundamentals from the start.

Despite the impending shutdown, players are celebrating the significant improvements. Reddit user Desperate_Method4032 praised the Season 5 update for resolving all their issues with the game, noting enhancements like refined shield animations that contribute to a more polished feel. Although the shutdown plans dampen the excitement, the user expressed hope that Warner Bros. might reconsider, citing the game's newfound potential.

Unfortunately, Player First and Warner Bros. remain committed to their shutdown plans. Game director Tony Huynh shared closing thoughts on X, addressing long-standing player concerns. Warner Bros. disabled real-money transactions on January 31, with the Season 5 premium battle pass being offered for free as a final gesture to the community.

MultiVersus will cease operations permanently at 9 am PT on May 30. While Warner Bros. moves forward with the shutdown, players find solace in creating and sharing memes, marking a bittersweet moment as the game finally meets their expectations just before its end.