As we move forward with Cinematic Universes and various phases of movies, we can always count on the medium of video games to add to that variety. Whilst there’s a new Wolverine game on the way, there’s also another Marvel vs. Capcom style game in Marvel Tokon. But for the retro heads, the nostalgic fans of classic beat ’em ups, we get Marvel Cosmic Invasion.
What with publisher DotEmu smashing it with Streets of Rage 4, as well as developer Tribute Games’ TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge hitting all the right notes, there’s no better time to be into the old school side-scrolling brawlers. Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a combination of both: that luscious style and attention to detail the former brings, as well as the care and knowledge for the subject the latter offers.
So, is it another star-studded adventure for the Marvel ensemble, or another lazy, alternate universe type of affair that’ll go unnoticed by the casuals? Well, let’s find out.
Large Scale Annihilus
I often wonder how Marvel choose which villain to thrust into the spotlight. Do they check reader/viewership numbers and drag a lesser-known one up from the depths, or do they do some kind of mid-tier villain tombola? Either way, the villain-of-the-week this time around is Annihilus. That’s right, the initially antagonistic insect of the Fantastic Four comic series, who’s been around since 1968! Yeah, it’s a niche one, I suppose.
Anyway, Annihilus and his Cosmic Control Rod (yeah, I know, go with it) are set on destroying Earth. Because y’know, that’s how everyone one of these things goes. Honestly evil space aliens, just let us do it ourselves, we’re doing a pretty good job of it.
Regardless, Annihilus is acting out his Cosmic Invasion, taking over the world and inhabiting various heroes and villains with mind-controlling insects. These range from, but not limited to, Beetle and Phyla-Vell, all the way up to the might Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer.
As is par for the course, the luxury 1%’s of people with superpowers and whatnot are here to see that doesn’t happen. As negotiations aren’t on the table, it’s time for ass-kicking in a variety of shiny and fantastical ways.
Heroes, Gather!
It wouldn’t be a side-scrolling beat ’em up without a colourful cavalcade of ass-kickers, would it? From Streets of Rage’s initial trio, Mother Russia Bleeds’ wacky violent hobos, to Shredder’s Revenge’s half-shelled heroes, it’s nice to share the load.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion doesn’t disappoint, with a roster of fifteen heroes to choose from. Initially, some are hidden until unlocked in the story. If you can work out who’s who in the above picture, then fair enough. However, if you’re uninitiated with everyone, it won’t matter that they’re all above.
As you may glean, there’s a few staples from the Avengers. Captain America and Iron Man, yet She Hulk taking Bruce Banner’s place. Black Panther and Storm being Wakandan tech and weather control, respectively. There’s Rocket Raccoon from the Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as Nova Corps leader… uh, Nova
But for every Spider-Man and Venom, there’s some outliers too. Personally, I didn’t know who the aforementioned Phyla-Vell was, nor Beta Ray Bill. But then, this is something that can only be gauged by one’s own knowledge of Marvel IP.
The Best At What He Does
As one would expect from the pedigree that DotEmu and Tribute Games brings, the fighting in Marvel Cosmic Invasion is tight, bright and full of beefy combinations. With such a large ensemble of heroes, one might think it’d get repetitive, but fortunately there’s a fair bit of variety here.
Every hero has their standard combo attack, be it fists, claws or sword. Then there’s their unique special attack: Cap has his shield, Spider-Man his web shooters. Brawlers like Wolverine and She-Hulk have a grapple attack, whilst the Cosmic Ghost Rider has his pistols.
Similar to the Marvel vs. Capcom fighting games, players can tag in and switch up their partner too. The former allows the second character to assist in battle, jumping in to turn the tide on overwhelming moments. Or if your first pick is running low on health, hop them out for some conservation efforts for the boss fight.
Then there’s the defensive angle: some fighters dodge, others block (and parry with correct timing). It is, of course, down to personal preference, but the trick is to play around with pair up’s to see what works for you. I started off favouring Wolvie and Cap, but then as more unlock it adds some nicer variations.
From The Streets To The Skies
The presentation and design in Marvel Cosmic Invasion is something that should be talked about. Again, to harken back to the “old school”, DotEmu have honed that angle in with previous titles. Graphics have that vintage look, that old arcade cabinet style of pixelated smoothness, oxymoronically. This feels like it could be played next to The Simpsons and The X-Men coin-op machines in a bowling alley.
And much like Shredder’s Revenge, Cosmic Invasion follows that level progression arc of low starts to spectacular finales. It may seem a little paltry with ten campaign missions, but there’s a lot packed in to each one.
From hidden Cosmic Matrix cubes (more on that in a bit), to cameo characters and little nods, each level is dense. As I say, they start off low-key, but when you’re fighting on the Bifrost on the way to Asgard, it becomes very cool and flashy. Then top it off with your Saturday morning-level of voice acting, it makes a wonderful little package.
A Hero’s Challenge
In regards to what else Marvel Cosmic Invasion has to offer, there’s challenge. Well, to be specific, several challenges per level to try and complete. As you can see, they range from combat-related to evasive. The level-specific ones vary from basic platforming to avoiding hordes of certain things. There’s some that require a certain hero to deliver the final blow to a boss, but I won’t spoil which ones.
Outside of the Campaign mode, there’s an Arcade one too. This is Campaign-lite, if you will. Players will pick a pair, and still supporting up to four players, to tackle the missions. There’s no challenges, and instead of tackling the branching missions one by one, choose a linear path through.
It’s essentially a campaign speedrun, if you will. It removes the challenges and story “bloat” and streamlines a more arcade-like experience (funnily enough). What does add a dash of variety and flair are the unlockable modifiers, found in the Cosmic Matrix.
A Gallery Of Rogues
Those early mentioned, hidden Cosmic Matrix cubes? This is where they’re spent: the Cosmic Matrix. This gallery option, of which can be opened in any order, is what holds the goodies. From artwork and tunes, to character skins/colours and more, there’s a fair bit to work towards. As are the Arcade mode modifiers, that add fun little tweaks to gameplay.
Outside of these tweaks and pictures, there isn’t really much more to Marvel Cosmic Invasion. But then, does there really need to be more? We get so caught up in the bloat added to games now, sometimes a shorter, tighter experience is preferred.
Okay, maybe a versus mode wouldn’t go amiss, but then what’s to say that isn’t coming down the line? Or a wave mode, a boss rush or something similar. Alright, I usually bemoan this practice of adding later, but my point is that Cosmic Invasion is enough to get you going.
Let’s Get Annihilus
To conclude then, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a cracking addition to the side-scrolling fighter genre. Like I said earlier, with the pedigree behind it, it was bound to be a gem. The comic book violence is well-crafted, the nerd lore respected and it doesn’t out-stay its welcome.
Yes, there is room for improvement and additions down the line, and I’ll support that in this instance because the game already feels complete. I did the majority of it solo, with a friend helping for a few missions. The balance is there, there’s no reliance on multiplayer, nor does it feel too chaotic with help.
There’s a fair few trophies/achievements too, ranging from player skill to character-specific ones. Unlocking the complete Cosmic Matrix alone will take some time, for one thing. I need to do a one-life run of Arcade mode, which’ll keep me busy enough.
If you’re a fan of Final Fight and its ilk, there’s enough here to entice you. Doubly so if you’re a Marvel fan, but as somewhat of an outlier, I still got most of it and it doesn’t belittle you for not knowing them all. Partner up, and tear up, heroes.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion is available now on PlayStation 4 & 5 (reviewed on latter), Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 and PC via Steam.
Developer: Tribute Games
Publisher: DotEmu