Marvel Cosmic Invasion: One of the Best Marvel Games in the Last 20 Years

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a modern beat em up game that pays homage to classic games, featuring a pixel art aesthetic, charismatic Marvel characters, and simple, fun gameplay.
The game offers a Story mode with RPG elements, adding depth to the classic beat em up formula and providing a narrative experience.
Tribute Games enhances the beat em up formula with a tag-team system, offering cooperative play in both local four-player mode and online.
The game features a diverse roster of 15 Marvel heroes, including lesser-known characters, which offers fresh gameplay experiences. However, some players might notice the absence of key characters.

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Marvel Cosmic Invasion: A Modern Beat ’em Up Homage with Marvel Charms

Marvel Cosmic Invasion, the latest game from Tribute Games and published by DotEmu, pays homage to classic beat ’em ups while incorporating modern elements for enhanced playability. Following the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge three years prior, their new title retains the strengths of its predecessor: a pixel art aesthetic, a soundtrack by Tee Lopes, charismatic Marvel Comics superheroes (including lesser-known characters), and simple, fun gameplay. This project demonstrates the studio’s commitment to creating games that evoke the spirit of ’90s classics, enhanced with refined controls and modern features. The game is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Xbox gamers can access it from day one with Xbox Game Pass. Unlike the Arcade mode, Marvel Cosmic Invasion features a Story mode with cutscenes and mechanics that highlight the unique attributes of each character. Some characters can fly, while others have special abilities tied to their powers or traits. Each hero has a special attack and can team up for double attacks with another chosen hero.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion: Tribute Games’ Beat ’em Up Epic with Unique Marvel Heroes

The roster includes 15 characters, featuring both well-known heroes and lesser-known Marvel Comics characters such as Beta Ray Bill and Phyla-Vell. The game also offers a Story mode, providing a narrative experience absent in the more straightforward Arcade mode reminiscent of classic beat ’em ups. Chris Carter, Gaming Editor at ScreenRant and writer for Destructoid, considers Marvel Cosmic Invasion one of Tribute Games’ best projects, praising the inclusion of characters like Venom and Wolverine. Tribute Games, known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, enhances the beat ’em up formula with a tag-team system. Marvel Cosmic Invasion offers enjoyable cooperative play, whether in local four-player mode or online. While simple in its side-scrolling pixel art style, Cosmic Invasion provides surprising gameplay depth. Tribute enhances the experience by introducing mechanics that differentiate heroes based on their unique attributes from the Marvel universe. Some characters can fly, stronger characters can defend, and others rely on well-timed dodges. Each hero possesses a unique attack, and players can execute double attacks by choosing two heroes at the start of the game.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion: Diverse Gameplay and Expanded Story Mode

In a four-player game, each player selects two heroes, switching between them to execute double attacks. This system, combined with character differentiation, allows for varied gameplay. She-Hulk, for example, is strong but slow, requiring protection, while Wolverine is fast and aggressive but relies on evasion instead of defense. These are just some examples of the diverse experiences offered, encouraging players to discover favorite characters through gameplay. While the roster includes famous heroes like Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Wolverine, some players may notice the absence of other key characters. Tribute elevates Marvel Cosmic Invasion beyond a simple reskin of Shredder’s Revenge with deeper gameplay and distinct game modes. The Story mode expands upon the Arcade mode, adding RPG elements. The Arcade mode follows a basic storyline, progressing level by level until the player defeats Annihilus. The Story mode expands this journey through familiar Marvel Comics locations with cutscenes before each level, an extended narrative, more levels, and additional bosses. Unlike Arcade mode, players must restart the level if they lose in Story mode. However, heroes gain XP and level up, improving their attributes. Conclusion:

Marvel Cosmic Invasion, from Dotemu and Tribute Games, delivers a highly enjoyable Marvel Comics beat ’em up that lives up to the standards of the classics. It should appeal to fans of classic beat ’em ups and those looking for a cooperative, action-packed experience with a unique roster of Marvel heroes. Pros: Pixel art aesthetic Story mode with RPG elements, adding depth to the classic beat ’em up formula Roster includes lesser-known Marvel Comics characters, offering fresh gameplay experiences Soundtrack Tag-team gameplay adds strategic depth Cons: Limited roster of 15 characters Playing solo loses much of its charm.

In Case You Missed It

In a departure from our usual fare, we’re thrilled to share Sophie Laurent’s insightful review of Marvel Cosmic Invasion Marvel Cosmic Invasion: A Review by Pedro Zambarda. Published on December 1st, 2025, Laurent dives into Tribute Games’ latest platformer inspired by the Annihilation saga, exploring its addictive gameplay with 15 playable characters, an X-Men style level-up system, and challenging missions reminiscent of retro beat ’em ups. Meanwhile, in other gaming news, Ahmed Hassan’s recent post Death Stranding 2: On The Beach to be released on PC soon reveals that the ESRB rating hints at an imminent release of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach on PC, much sooner than its predecessors. Dive into the latest updates and expected features as you prepare for another gripping journey from Kojima Productions. Speaking of exciting releases, Carlos Mendoza’s latest piece (published November 25th) offers a thrilling sneak peek into Dotemu and Studio Tribute Games’ upcoming title, Marvel Cosmic Invasion. With an intro cinematic that harks back to classic comic book animations Marvel Cosmic Invasion: Hand-Drawn Intro Cinematic Unveiled, Delightfully Old School, the trailer introduces us to all the playable characters, from Captain America to Cosmic Ghost Rider, promising an epic cosmic adventure just in time for December 1st.