Season 2 of Rivals was released on April 11th, bringing with it a wave of free content — including new maps, characters, and costumes — with many fans happy. But alongside the excitement, the sheer volume of cosmetic additions is sparking conversation about the game’s evolving identity and whether all the style is starting to take focus away from the gameplay.

Among the biggest talking points is the debut of Emma Frost, a high-profile addition to the roster whose flashy abilities and bold design have turned heads. Her arrival has quickly become a cultural moment within the Rivals community. “Emma Frost hit me up,” said Jaiden Wroten, summing up the character’s instant popularity — and the meme-worthy energy that’s followed.

But as often happens with major new character releases, not everyone is thrilled. “For the love of God, stop trying to learn Emma Frost in ranked. I CAN’T RANK UP,” pleaded Julian Rozier, expressing the frustration many competitive players feel as their matches are flooded with inexperienced Frost users experimenting at high stakes.

The update hasn’t just introduced new characters — it’s also brought balance changes that some feel are skewing the gameplay. “They nerf Strange like a wet towel, they be buffing DPS like crazy, and people be playing Emma Frost like crazy,” said Christopher Hermosillo. For many veteran players, this trend of pushing out higher-damage characters and sidelining tactical ones is raising concerns about the game’s long-term direction.

While the new content and visual variety are drawing in new players and generating buzz, a growing portion of the community is wondering whether the game is starting to prioritize flair over depth. The steady drip of skins, emotes, and cosmetics adds excitement, but it may also be shifting the identity of Rivals away from its competitive, strategy-driven roots.

Others argue that this evolution is necessary. As the live-service genre becomes more competitive, style and spectacle help keep the game relevant and engaging. For better or worse, Rivals is changing — and the community must now decide if it’s a change they can live with.

With Season 2 now in full swing, players are watching closely to see if the core gameplay that made Rivals a standout can remain in the spotlight — or if it’s slowly being overshadowed by style.