Marvel Cosmic Invasion Review: A Superhero Beat-em-up at Its Finest

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It’s interesting how many modern games draw inspiration from the past, suggesting a longing for simpler times in gaming. While we often remember older arcade games fondly, they don’t always hold up well today. Few games successfully capture that classic feel with modern playability, but Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a notable exception.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion isn’t groundbreaking or particularly innovative, and it sticks to familiar genre tropes. However, that’s not a drawback. The game features 15 unique heroes, each with a variety of weapons and abilities, playable through a story campaign and a traditional arcade mode. While it’s not overly complicated, Marvel Cosmic Invasion offers surprising depth and a real challenge for players who want to master it.

I had high hopes for Marvel Cosmic Invasion – Tribute Games also made last year’s fantastic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, and this new game feels similar. However, I was genuinely surprised by how good it is! It’s just as enjoyable, and maybe even better, than TMNT. It’s polished, visually appealing, and easily the best beat-em-up since Streets of Rage 4.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion Is Fun and Gorgeous

The Hero Roster Is Marvel Cosmic Invasions’ Beating Heart

Many classic multiplayer fighting games let you choose from a diverse cast of characters, promoting teamwork and different strategies. One player might pick a tough, slow character focused on defense, while another chooses a fast and nimble one. Marvel Cosmic Invasion takes this idea further, making each character feel completely unique and impactful. The heroes aren’t just different in terms of damage or speed; they offer genuinely distinct gameplay experiences.

Characters in the game have different ways to defend – some parry, others dodge. They also attack in various ways, like throwing or using ranged attacks. What’s really clever is how these basic ideas are executed. For instance, both She-Hulk and Phoenix can throw opponents, but She-Hulk uses wrestling-style moves, while Phoenix relies on her telekinetic powers. This variety isn’t just superficial; it gives players a lot of options and lets them express their own playstyle, revealing the game’s true depth.

When I first started playing, I kept switching between characters, not because any were bad, but because they were all so good! The game doesn’t really let you settle on a single favorite character – instead, you find yourself enjoying specific abilities and moves. I haven’t found a ‘best’ character in Marvel Cosmic Invasion, but I’ve discovered a lot of fun mechanics. Simple moves, like Beta Ray Bill’s powerful, extended Stormbreaker throw or Phyla-Vell’s teleporting sword attacks, make even basic fights feel exciting and like something out of a comic book. The game encourages you to try different things, but it’s still accessible for players who aren’t looking for a super challenging experience.

Each hero feels uniquely different when you play them – it’s not just about how fast they attack or how much damage they deal, but a much more fundamental difference in how they’re experienced.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion Is a Treat for the Senses

Tribute Games’ Shredder’s Revenge was known for its fantastic 80s and 90s-inspired art, especially in its detailed backgrounds. They’ve kept that same retro style for Cosmic Invasion, but the sci-fi setting lets them create a much wider range of visuals. The game features incredibly diverse locations like Asgard, New York City, Wakanda, and the Negative Zone, and the art team consistently delivers excellent work, seamlessly adapting to each new environment and theme.

The game’s soundtrack, reminiscent of classic Saturday morning cartoons, really sets the mood for each level. It might not be the greatest video game music ever made, or even the best of its year, but it’s much better than just adequate. It successfully mixes catchy synth sounds, retro 808 beats, and upbeat music that matches the fast-paced action. While the music doesn’t quite reach the same artistic heights as the game’s visuals, it’s still enjoyable and makes the gameplay even more fun.

As Expected, Marvel Cosmic Invasion Is Short and Sweet

Many games aim to offer a broad and engaging experience, and titles like Stardew Valley and Hades are great examples – they keep players hooked for hours with constantly evolving stories and gameplay. Marvel Cosmic Invasion, however, is different. It’s a much more streamlined experience, featuring a simple, predictable story, just two game modes (campaign and arcade), and fairly basic progression and unlockable content.

While Cosmic Invasion‘s simple scope and modest goals aren’t necessarily flaws – it’s aiming for a charming, retro feel – it’s disappointing considering it’s based on Cosmic Marvel, a series known for its imaginative characters and storylines. The game’s story is not only brief but also easily forgotten. Many classic arcade games also featured minimal narratives, which was understandable given the quick, public nature of arcade play. However, Cosmic Invasion isn’t limited by those same constraints, so its simple story feels like an unnecessary and ultimately detrimental nod to those older games.

I feel the same way about the boss fights in Cosmic Invasion. Some are really well-designed and require you to learn specific skills, like timing your blocks, to win. But others are more frustrating than enjoyable. The game often makes bosses much harder in the last part of the fight, and this sudden difficulty spike feels unfair. The worst fights become chaotic and visually overwhelming, making it hard to see what’s happening. Being repeatedly stunned because you can’t follow the enemy’s attacks isn’t a good challenge—it’s just irritating.

While the game could push its interesting source material a bit further, and a few boss battles could use some polish, these are minor issues overall. Tribute Games has created one of the best retro-style arcade games in recent years, building on the success of titles like TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge. Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a surprisingly deep and visually appealing game that’s worth playing, even if you haven’t enjoyed beat-em-ups before. It’s simply a lot of fun.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion will be available on December 1, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. This review is based on a Steam code provided to Game Rant.

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2025-12-01 19:08