MultiVersus is set to shut down at the end of Season 5 in May, but the game's community has found new life and excitement with the latest update. The sweeping changes to combat speed, introduced in the new patch, have significantly enhanced the gameplay, leading fans to rally around the #SaveMultiVersus trend on social media.

The Warner Bros. platform fighting game kicked off its fifth and final season on February 4 at 9am PT, following the announcement from developer Player First Games about the impending shutdown. The update introduced DC's Aquaman and Looney Tunes' Lola Bunny as the last playable characters. However, the real game-changer was the extensive overhaul of movement mechanics, resulting in a much faster-paced experience. This fundamental shift has been a long-standing request from the community and comes just as the game is winding down.

#SaveMultiversus https://t.co/xZAfif5XAe pic.twitter.com/CfDAJ13erF

— Mlick (@Mlickles) February 5, 2025

Players noticed the increased combat speed after Player First released a Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video on X/Twitter. The changes are stark, with characters executing combos and moving across the screen at unprecedented speeds. This marks a significant departure from the slower, floatier gameplay criticized during the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and even surpasses the pace set upon its relaunch in May of the previous year.

According to the Season 5 update patch notes, the increase in combat speed is due to a reduction in hitpause across most attacks. This allows for faster combo execution, with specific adjustments made to characters like Morty, LeBron, Iron Giant, Bugs Bunny, Black Adam, and others, enabling them to fast fall during certain aerial attacks. Garnet received tweaks to balance her ringout potential, making her stronger on the ground but weaker in the air.

>game dies

>they finally start doing clever marketing

>they actually improve the gameplay

Yeah sounds about right https://t.co/2375drzNCU

— Bring Back Banjo (@BringBackBanjoK) February 3, 2025

Season 5 transforms the nearly one-year-old game into something almost unrecognizable, with players finding much more to enjoy than just the new characters. However, this rejuvenation comes at a bittersweet time, as MultiVersus is scheduled to shut down completely on May 30. This shutdown will end seasonal content updates and remove the game from digital storefronts, with Warner Bros. Games discontinuing online play and leaving only offline modes available.

The community is left in a state of shock and powerlessness as MultiVersus achieves the gameplay they've always wanted just as it nears its end. X user @PJiggles_ described MultiVersus as "the most interesting bad game in existence," reflecting on its journey from beta to relaunch to 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 lamented, "but man, if this was how the relaunch started off we could’ve really had something," drawing a comparison to Apex Legends, which thrived due to its strong fundamentals despite its monetization issues. Another user, Desperate_Method4032, praised the Season 5 update for fixing "every issue I had with the game," noting improvements like enhanced shield animations that make the game feel more polished. Despite the impending shutdown, this user expressed hope that Warner Bros. might reconsider, citing the game's newfound potential.

Sooooo

You announced the game was shutting down but then fixed the thing that made players quit

What https://t.co/YfvGsOiEv5

— Colin (@IntroSpecktive) February 4, 2025

Despite the community's hopes, Player First and Warner Bros. remain firm on their decision to end service in the summer. MultiVersus game director Tony Huynh shared closing thoughts on X, addressing long-unanswered player questions. Warner Bros. disabled real-money transactions on January 31, and the Season 5 premium battle pass has been made free for all players as a final gesture.

MultiVersus will officially shut down on May 30 at 9 am PT. As Warner Bros. moves forward with its plans, players are finding solace in creating and sharing memes, celebrating the game's final moments. It's a poignant time for the fighting game community, enjoying a game that finally meets their expectations just before its end.

This is what it feels like seeing everyone playing S5 #MultiVersus #SaveMultiVersus pic.twitter.com/7DS03efXCg

— Spider-Man For MultiVersus #SaveMultiVersus (@SpiderManForMVS) February 4, 2025

Multiversus dropping good gameplay while on its death bed https://t.co/gnxRAegeeO pic.twitter.com/r2QGcE6W6x

— Sho (@Shoyoumomo_) February 4, 2025