"Marvel Rivals" is once again making headlines with the latest "Mrs. Barnes" Black Widow skin. What you will experience here is the rich comic history of the gaming world with Natasha Romanoff.
Unveiled during the Galacta's Cosmic Adventure event, this temporary cosmetic pays homage to a lesser-seen Marvel timeline— a fresh twist that no one expected to come.
A Tip of the Hat to Marvel's Wild West Universe
The "Mrs. Barnes" skin takes a cue from 1872, a 2015 Marvel comic book series imagining the Avengers transplanted into a gritty Wild West universe. According to 9meters, Natasha Romanoff is transformed into Natasha Barnes, the widow of Deputy Bucky Barnes, existing in the Wild West town of Timely. Her costume mirrors the era well, combining the Victorian style with the toughness of a gunslinger.
Marvel Rivals' choice to draw from lesser-explored comic storylines is an example of the game's dedication to honoring Marvel's multiverse outside of the popular MCU, giving fans access to more forgotten stories.
How to Unlock the 'Mrs. Barnes' Skin for Free
Unlike most games that keep exclusive skins locked behind expensive microtransactions, "Marvel Rivals" is offering players the opportunity to unlock the "Mrs. Barnes" skin through its limited-time event, Galacta's Cosmic Adventure. Here's how you can get it:
- Roll the dice to move across a space-themed board.
- Get the "Mrs. Barnes" skin by landing on Space 22.
- Finish event missions and weekly challenges to gain "Galacta's Power Cosmic" currency, which is spent rolling the dice.
- Reward free dice rolls every 48 hours for just logging in.
Why Black Widow Mains Are Loving It
Black Widow became popular among fans since her appearance in "Marvel Rivals." Her tactical agility and stealthy playstyle make her a high-skill hero in competitive battles. She pairs well with bruisers like Thor and Punisher and is a favorite among players looking for skill-based characters.
The Black Widow community in "Marvel Rivals" has created a refreshingly positive culture. High-level players and streamers who play her as their main have established a helpful and cooperative community, which is in contrast to the toxicity that can be found in competitive gaming communities.
Marvel Rivals' Roster Strategy Keeps Fans Hooked
Marvel Rivals' approach to roster design is keeping both veteran Marvel enthusiasts and newcomers enthusiastic. NetEase's strategy to combine mainstream MCU heroes with alternate-universe variants, such as "Mrs. Barnes," is impressive, so that they can hit different demographics of the Marvel fan base.
Galacta's Cosmic Adventure concludes on April 11 at 5 a.m. EDT, which leaves players with a short time to get their hands on this special skin.
Since the event will be free-to-play and the "Mrs. Barnes" skin connects with one of Marvel's most compelling alternate realities, it's something to grab for hardcore Marvel enthusiasts and casual players.
