Marvel Cosmic Invasion Is A Love Letter To Retro Beat ’em Up Fans

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It’s no surprise that a beat ’em up game based on this popular franchise feels right at home – there have been several similar games over the years. This newest game, inspired by classics like Streets of Rage, doesn’t just work well; it could be one of the best in the genre.

The team behind popular retro beat ’em ups like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is back with a new game, Marvel Cosmic Invasion. Developer Tribute Games clearly knows the genre, and they’re partnering with publisher Dotemu, who previously worked on hits like Streets of Rage 4 and Absolum. This collaboration makes them the perfect pair to bring this game to life.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion Is A Masterclass In Addictive Gameplay Design

The story of Marvel Cosmic Invasion is very simple: villains are causing trouble, and heroes must team up to stop them. While that’s all you really need to know about the plot, the game shines in its execution. Like many enjoyable games, Marvel Cosmic Invasion prioritizes fun above all else.

Okay, so before each mission in Marvel Cosmic Invasion, you pick two heroes. The really cool thing is you can switch between them whenever you want during gameplay. It sounds simple, but learning when to swap characters is key to feeling like a pro. I mean, you can switch mid-attack for help, switch while blocking to parry, or even mid-air to keep combos going – it’s awesome! Honestly, mastering the switching mechanic is what makes this game so much fun, even if you’re playing by yourself. Plus, each hero feels totally unique, and figuring out different combinations is a blast.

Every mission tells a straightforward story using character images and narration to introduce the conflict. The story focuses on two specific characters for each level – these are the characters you’ll see in cutscenes, find listed in the level’s objectives, and hear during important moments. While this structure makes sense, it can be a little strange to hear characters you haven’t chosen acting like they’re with you in the fight when they aren’t actually participating.

There Are Over A Dozen Characters, And They All Feel Distinct

Many beat ’em ups from the ’90s were brief and didn’t offer much variety, but Marvel Cosmic Invasion stands out with its deep and complex characters and gameplay. The game features a large roster, and it’s clear a lot of thought went into making each character unique. For instance, Iron Man excels at ranged attacks, can fly, and uses a powerful electric ball to stun enemies. Captain America, on the other hand, is a close-combat fighter who relies on melee attacks and shield throws. Characters also play differently in terms of defense – some block, while others dodge. Different characters also have unique offensive moves, like She-Hulk who throws opponents, or Wolverine who can quickly grapple enemies across the screen.

Combining different character styles creates exciting new options. Playing a fast, agile character like Spider-Man is great for up-close fights, but he can also control enemies from a distance. Switching to a powerful, close-combat character or a long-range specialist adds depth and complexity to the gameplay.

A great feature of Marvel Cosmic Invasion is that you’re always making progress. Even if you don’t complete a level, your characters still earn experience and become stronger, improving their health and unlocking special abilities. Each level has three goals – usually involving specific characters or the level’s unique environment – and completing them unlocks extra content like character bios, backstories, and costumes through the game’s main menu.

Tribute Games Nails The Aesthetic Of Classic ’90s Era Marvel

The game is a visual treat. The pixel art is beautifully done, giving each character a distinct and memorable look. The animation strikes a perfect balance – it’s fluid enough to feel contemporary, yet retains a charmingly retro, 90s-inspired chunkiness. Considering the large number of characters and their numerous costumes, the amount of detailed work and dedication is truly impressive.

The music is great too, really fitting the action and mood of each level, even if it’s not necessarily catchy. The voice acting is also top-notch. It took a little getting used to hearing different takes on familiar characters like Black Panther, but I like that they all have their own unique personalities. Everything feels perfectly in place.

I had a blast playing with friends, both on the couch and online. I even teamed up with my eight-year-old son for a few levels! Honestly, some of the stages are seriously challenging if you’re going it alone on normal difficulty. There are times when the screen gets totally swamped with enemies, and the bosses can really punish you – they either hit super hard or corner you and just wear you down. Luckily, the game usually throws you some health pickups right before a tough fight, which is a lifesaver. But overall, it’s way more fun and feels much fairer with at least one other person helping out.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion Is One Of The Greatest Beat ’em Up Games Ever Made

Considering the excellent work from Tribute Games and Dotemu, it’s no surprise that Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a fantastic game. Each character feels unique, the levels are full of personality, and there’s a great variety of villains to fight. While Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge was excellent, Marvel Cosmic Invasion takes things to a whole new level. It’s already among my favorite beat ’em up games ever, and I’m excited to see

I completed the main game and most of the extra challenges in around 5-6 hours. I then spent another couple of hours finishing up everything on my own. The game has a lot to offer for those who want to keep playing, including an arcade mode that provides a really tough challenge with limited lives.

I was incredibly impressed with Marvel Cosmic Invasion – it’s so polished and enjoyable that I’m worried it’s spoiled me for other great games I used to love, like Streets of Rage 2 and Knights of the Round. It’s really that good.

I wrote this review using a review code for Marvel Cosmic Invasion provided by Dotemu, and I played it on the Steam Deck.

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2025-12-01 19:12