Marvel Cosmic Invasion blends the classic beat ’em up formula with well-known Marvel characters in a way that feels natural and fun. It brings back the charm of old side-scrolling beat ’em ups from Capcom and others, the kind you enjoyed both in arcades and at home. The game looks great, with detailed pixel art and smooth animations. The roster is solid, and there is plenty to do thanks to character progression and upgrades.
The story is simple and reads like a straightforward comic book plot. The main villain is Annihilus, who threatens the universe by unleashing his annihilation wave. Earth’s heroes join forces with cosmic characters to stop him and save the universe. There is a surprisingly large cast from across the Marvel lineup, including some characters who rarely appear in games, like Beta Ray Bill, Nova, and Cosmic Ghost Rider.
The combat system stands out by mixing traditional beat ’em up action with a tag team setup. Each player can select two characters and switch between them with a single button. Tag team moves and combos help keep the action fast and smooth. Every character also has their own special moves and abilities, and the developers clearly understood what makes each fighter unique and worked those traits into their gameplay.
Characters who can fly are able to hover in the air and attack from above. Not every character can block, though. Some can guard themselves, while others rely on dodging attacks and countering. This mix of abilities helps each hero feel distinct. Most characters share a basic combo system, but there are variations that let you juggle enemies in the air and keep combos going without taking damage. The higher the combo count climbs, the more entertaining the combat feels, even if the combo number mostly serves as a visual score.
The game offers two main ways to play through the story. The campaign acts as a traditional story mode, with each mission granting experience to the characters you use. This experience improves their abilities and boosts their stats. There is no game over in this mode, so players can retry missions as many times as they need. Some missions branch at certain points, giving players optional paths to explore during the campaign.
Arcade mode is more straightforward, following the style of classic arcade beat ’em up games. You get one clear route through the story, and losing sends you back to the start. If you reach a branching path, you can choose the next mission, but otherwise the mode sticks to a simple structure that older fans will appreciate. The story is not very long, featuring a little over a dozen missions and nearly fifteen playable characters. Not all of them are unlocked at the start, so you will need to progress through the story to open up the full roster.
The game’s replay value mostly comes from its co-op mode, which supports both offline and online play. Up to four players can team up and go through the game together. Each level also includes hidden collectibles and stage-specific challenges that act as a checklist you can review before starting a mission. These challenges are simple, like defeating a certain number of enemies or performing specific moves. You can also unlock a variety of color palettes that give each character some extra customization.
The overall presentation has one downside, which is the progression system. Even though the developers added character leveling, it feels slow and not very rewarding. Most upgrades only boost stats like health or the special meter, and there are no new abilities to unlock. Since characters start with their full move set, leveling feels less meaningful than it should.
If you enjoy beat ’em ups, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a strong entry in the genre. The game looks great and is crafted with a lot of care. The developers clearly put effort into making sure each character’s moves and abilities match their personality, and the stages are filled with small background details that bring each area to life. The enemy variety is not the best, and some encounters feel repetitive, especially when dealing with shielded enemies that force you to use specials or dodge behind them. The boss fights, however, are enjoyable, and it is fun to see a few unexpected characters show up along the way.
The game runs well on the Steam Deck and feels like a natural fit for handheld play. Its short length makes it easy to pick up and enjoy in quick sessions, whether you are playing solo, offline with friends, or online. For Marvel fans, it delivers a mix of nostalgia and modern gameplay elements. The cosmic focus also brings in characters who are usually missing from other Marvel titles. Overall, it is easy to recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre or has an interest in Marvel games.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion Game Information
- Price: $29.99
- Publisher: Dotemu
- Developer: Dotemu
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
