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0 MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is a pixel-art beat’em up developed by Tribute Games Inc. and published by Dotemu. Playable solo or with up to four players in local or online co-op, the game delivers fun and fast-paced combat where players will visit some of the best-known locations of the Marvel Universe.
Retro Pixel Arcade Action Galore
After the success of 2022’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, game developers Tribute Games have come up with another excellent retro, pixel-art, arcade-style beat-’em-up game. Marvel Cosmic Invasion uses the same action-filled formula as its predecessor but enhances it with a larger hero roster and adds another layer of complexity through its swap mechanic.
This game is a deep cut to 90s pop culture, when home PCs and consoles weren’t as common as they are today. Going to the mall to play at the arcade was, for many, the only way to experience the fun and excitement of video games. Final Fight, Streets of Rage 2, and Sengoku 3 are but a few of the nostalgic titles of a bygone era. Marvel Cosmic Invasion is not only a love letter to the Marvel Universe, which I will get into later, but also to a time when video gaming was rare and therefore precious.
Gameplay
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion kicks things right into gear with a galaxy-wide alien invasion. These aren’t just any good old aliens. These green insectoids are from another dimension. Yup, you guessed it, it’s Annihilus who is attacking everyone and everything all at once. His army has orchestrated a surprise attack that threatens life across the Marvel Universe. With the Annihilation Wave tearing through entire star systems, heroes from every corner of the Universe have come together to join forces. The game begins with a few starter heroes, such as Spider-Man, Nova, Wolverine, She-Hulk, Storm, and Captain America, brawling their way through the streets of New York City. Where else?
From there, our band of heroes travels to fantastic locations like the Savage Lands, Asgard, and the Moon. In each location, we recruit a new hero to our just cause. For example, on the Moon, you free Jean Grey from mind-control. On the symbiote world of Destromundo, you recruit Venom, and in the Negative Zone, you unlock the Silver Surfer.
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is an unapologetic classic side-scrolling beat ’em up reminiscent of the 80s and 90s arcade video games, but what makes the gameplay shine is how distinct every hero feels. Each character comes with their own move set, rhythm, and combat identity. Every hero has tailored combos, passives, and abilities that fit their personality and fighting style perfectly.
The co-op cross-platform online option makes the game one hundred times more fun to play. Unfortunately, the game’s strongest feature is also its biggest weakness. If there are no players currently online in your zone, playing by yourself can be a little dull in comparison.
Unique Heroes For Every Combat Situation
The game challenges players to rotate through the hero roster, each one excelling in different combat situations. Storm is great at opening up tough enemies’ defensive blocks with her Arctic Wind ability. Whereas, Cosmic Ghost Rider’s blasters are great for crowd control when faced against many little guys.
The game developer’s deep knowledge and love for Marvel comics really shine with the passive abilities. For example, Beta Ray Bill’s passive allows him to hit with extra lightning power after recalling his magical hammer, which fits into the character’s lore and his connection with Stormbreaker. Likewise, Spider-Man’s passive allows him to automatically refill his web shooters after dodging, emphasizing one of the character’s main superpowers. Wolverine’s passive, well, I think we can all guess what his superpower is.
Graphics And Audio
Visually, MARVEL Cosmic Invasion leans fully into retro pixel art, giving its roster of superheroes a charmingly old-school look. The environments are bright, colorful, and packed with little Marvel details, even if the storyboards are on the simpler side. They may not be flashy, but they get the job done and fit the game’s lighthearted, arcade-inspired style. The game definitely draws some stylistic inspiration from the 1998 classic Marvel vs. Capcom. From costumes and idle animations to Iron Man’s iconic Beam Cannon, the art and style are undeniably inspired by the fighting game franchise.
The audio follows suit with a fun and energetic soundtrack that keeps the action moving without dominating the experience. Sound effects like punches, blasts, swings, and signature moves add a satisfying impact to every fight. The sound effects are not particularly groundbreaking audio, but they complement the game’s retro vibe.
Longevity
Marvel Cosmic Invasion’s main Campaign took me about three and a half hours to finish by myself. The game shines really through its replayability and its online co-op game. With up to four players smashing evil aliens, it takes a lot less time to finish missions and search for loot.
Speaking of loot, during each mission players can scavenge the Marvel Universe for cubes of the Cosmic Matrix which unlock new costume color pallettes, Kree archives on every super hero, soundtracks, and Arcade mode modifiers. This is where replayability and co-op play come in handy, as they will allow you to find these hidden gems more easily. All in all, I estimate this game offers somewhere between 20 and 30 hours of gameplay to unlock all achievements and cosmic cubes.
Final Thoughts
Disregarding the occasional nuisance of not lining up with enemy combatants to land a hit, MARVEL Cosmis Invasion is delightful and slightly addictive. Unlocking characters, learning each of their combat moves, and figuring out which one best suits your play style do not feel like a chore but rather a goal in and of themselves.
Obviously, this game relies heavily on nostalgia and caters to millennials, but its modern playstyle and character depth make it fresh and contemporary. It’s a great example for other game developers to follow. Tribute Games took a genre that had aged out and turned it into something new, whilst celebrating the games and comics it was inspired by.
I hereby grant Marvel Cosmic Invasion the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
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