There’s no denying that superhero game fans have faced their fair share of disappointments lately — from the cancellation of EA’s Black Panther game to the shutdown of Monolith Productions, developers behind Wonder Woman. But for players willing to look beyond AAA titles, a fresh wave of exciting superhero games is emerging.
At the heart of this movement is Marvel Cosmic Invasion, a retro-inspired beat ’em up developed by Tribute Games. If you enjoyed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, you’ll instantly recognize the chonky pixel art, side-scrolling gameplay, and arcade-style combat mechanics that define Tribute’s latest offering.
Classic Gameplay with a Modern Twist
During a hands-on preview at Summer Game Fest, players got to experience two playable stages with a sample of the 15-character roster. While each hero and villain boasts their own basic attacks and special moves, the fighters generally fall into two categories: flyers and ground-based brawlers.
Aerial fighters like Phyla-Vell and Storm bring the advantage of vertical mobility, allowing them to attack from above and avoid swarms of enemies. However, their limited agility compared to ground-based heroes adds a layer of balance. On the flip side, Captain America and Wolverine dominate up close. Whether it’s slashing through enemies with Wolverine’s claws or bouncing Cap’s shield into an enemy’s face, the ground combat is deeply satisfying.
Tag-Team Action and Combo Depth
Cosmic Invasion also introduces tag-team mechanics, letting players pick two heroes and swap between them instantly. This opens the door to high-level combo chains, especially for characters like Spider-Man and Venom, who blur the line between aerial and ground combat. Their web-slinging abilities allow for greater screen coverage and more extended combo juggling, making them ideal for fans of old-school fighting games.
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Multiplayer Synergy and Enemy Variety
The game encourages cooperative play, with combo mechanics allowing players to launch enemies into the air and juggle them back and forth. Whether you prefer sky-based assaults or ground domination, the team synergy possibilities are deep and rewarding.
One standout boss battle features Taskmaster, who mimics your character’s move set, creating a challenging and dynamic fight. While the full storyline and main villain remain under wraps, what’s been revealed so far suggests a compelling blend of classic brawler gameplay with Marvel’s rich character universe.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion is scheduled to release later this year on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox, and Windows PCs. For fans of retro gaming and Marvel heroes alike, this might just be the beat ’em up revival you’ve been waiting for.
