Video Game Blog 057: Cosmic Beat-em-up

And we’re back, with yet another game that’s not on this year’s list. Currently in my gaming I’m wrapping up the second expansion for Final Fantasy XIV so that I can take an extended break from that game, and also impatiently awaiting the release of Mewgenics. So I have been playing some casual puzzle games and finishing some shorter games so as not to embark on anything too time-intensive. (I also have two entire Final Fantasy games on my list for this year, so those will take a bit.) On a whim I found this game in my Switch 2 menu and fired it up.

A few years back, I did a quick review of this developer’s previous game, which was also a beat ‘em up featuring the Ninja Turtles. I’ve always loved beat ‘em up games. When I was younger I played a lot of Final Fight, TMNT 2, TMNT 4, and Maximum Carnage. (Along with some Double Dragon and others.) My favorites are Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game and the Simpsons Arcade Game. (The Simpsons one is still the only game I ever fully won in the arcade. It took all afternoon, the help of a buddy, and a fortune in quarters. Good memories. I was very happy when they ported it to PS3.)

So with my history with the genre, as soon as I heard there was going to be a Marvel-themed game, I knew I had to get it. I’ve always been a Marvel fan, and over the last few years I have gotten really into the X-Men, so I was excited about the prospect of this game.

Title (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

Marvel Cosmic Invasion was released in 2025 by Tribute Games for the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Windows, and XBox Series X/S. I played the Switch 2 version for this post.

Big bug guy. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

The game’s story is an adaption of the 2008 Annihilation crossover from Marvel comics. It concerns a powerful being named Annihilus that threatens all free life with his space bug minions that take over people’s minds.

The team gathers. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

The game starts with a cool comic-booky opening cinematic that sets up the story and characters. There are two main modes to the game, campaign mode and arcade mode. The main difference is that arcade mode plays as it would on a classic arcade cabinet with limited lives and no save function. In campaign you can play through the game with auto saves occurring after each level. You can revisit levels as you wish.

My roster. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

The playable characters in the game run the gamut from the Avengers to the X-Men and cosmic heroes. 11 are available from the start and four more are unlockable as you play.

Wolverine is getting stronger. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

Each character get their own attacks and an unlockable passive skill. Unlike a lot of side scrolling fighting games, the characters gain experience through use and level up, gaining upgrades.

Take that, bub. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

The gameplay is pretty much what you would expect. You move from one end of the map to the other, fighting enemies as you go. Parts of the environment can be broken to reveal health and focus restoring items as well as a cosmic cube hidden in each level. Every level also has three challenges to complete. These usually involve using certain characters to do specific moves or beat bosses, completing portions of the level without taking damage, and more.

A unique aspect of this game to the genre is the tag team element. You have to select two characters to play a level and can switch between them at any time throughout. (As long as they’re not KO’d.) They can perform team moves or just swap out to break holds and overcome obstacles. You can play with up to four players, each with two team members.

Iron Man brought a big gun to this fight. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

Each character has a melee attack and guard. There are hero-specific moves such as using Captain America’s shield or throwing enemies as Wolverine. These special moves take charges that are earned by damaging or taking damage. There are also special moves that require the blue focus bar to perform and usually cause AOE damage or just more powerful attacks. The focus bar charges as you fight but can also be replenished with blue pyramids found in the levels. Some heroes can fly.

I have a lot more filled in now. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

The Cosmic Matrix is where most of the unlockables are earned. From completing the challenges in each level and leveling up characters, you earn Cosmic Cubes to fill in this grid. These rewards are different music, new color palettes for characters, new options for arcade mode, and informative files that can be viewed in a different menu.

Storm is a badass. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

I have been trying to level everyone, but my favorite characters so far are Wolverine and Phoenix. (Yes, some of these screenshots are out of date. I unlocked Phoenix after taking the screenshots.) Once I got her, Storm was deposed, although she’s a great character too. Flight and ranged wind attacks are useful. You would think that Spidey would be one of my favorites, but I actually prefer Wolverine. I like slashing the enemies with his claws and he throws enemies into other enemies, which is a satisfying way to take them out. I like Phoenix because not only can she fly, but her passive ability gives her fire damage when her focus bar is full.

Actually, come to think of it, maybe Phoenix is tied with Storm… her ranged wind attack is more handy than telekinesis. One of the cool things about this game is that the characters are balanced so they each have their uses.

The challenge on this game can take you by surprise, especially considering the first few levels are pretty easy. I did have my first wipe on Stage 2, but that was mainly because I was showboating as Storm. The Master Mold fight was difficult because you have to learn the boss’s patterns and I was trying to just beat him down without strategizing.

As of the writing of this, I’m currently stuck on the fight against Venom, mostly because I’m trying to use Spider-Man to beat him to complete one of that level’s challenges. I feel like I’ll have Spidey and Phoenix’s levels maxed out before I manage to defeat him, but I know my problem is that I need to play more defensively. I’ve also heard the Silver Surfer level is very difficult. Knowing me, I’ll probably have the Venom level beaten shortly after uploading this post.

Ouch. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

Thoughts: The controls are smooth, the graphics and music are great. I love the gameplay and the challenge. The level of challenge is not frustrating, as nothing so far feels unfair or cheap. It takes skill, leveling, and choosing the right combination of characters to overcome the harder stages and bosses.

There is a lot to this game. With the challenges, hidden cubes, unlockable characters, Cosmic Matrix, and the in-game achievement list, there’s a lot to find in the game. I love that you can level up and upgrade the characters. The tag team gimmick allows for more strategy and lets you try more of the characters. There are lots of easter eggs from the comics and some humor to the story. (Jeff the Land Shark even shows up in the background of one of the levels.)

All in all, this is a fun throwback game and a nice twist to the genre. It celebrates the characters and lore of the comics in a fresh way, mixing fan favorite characters with more obscure heroes. It’s a flashy and entertaining game and I’m hoping there’s DLC or a sequel to come.

Rocket brought more guns than Iron Man. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)

Thank you for reading my quick review of let another mess-around game. I promise I’m going to get back to my 2026 Game List soon. These little side quests will not distract me… I’m still determined to finish my list this time around! I appreciate you all and I’ll be back soon with more!

They dedd. (Credit: Tribute Games, Marvel)