Following the success launch of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, publisher Dotemu and developer Tribute Games have revealed their next game: Marvel Cosmic Invasion. Like their previous release, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is another arcade-style beat 'em up, only this time the focus is on Marvel's incredible roster of heroes.
The game was announced during the Nintendo Direct this week with a reveal trailer that kicked off with an incredible opening featuring hand-drawn animation that reflects the game's visual homage to the colorful 90's era Marvel comic books. It also served as a reveal for the first set of playable characters from the roster: Captain America, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Storm, Phyla-Vell, Venom and Nova. We also get a sneak peek at the side-scrolling action that awaits as you defend the galaxy from Super Villain Annihilus.
In MARVEL Cosmic Invasion the immortal Super Villain Annihilus has launched an unprecedented attack across the galaxy, threatening all life as we know it. Fighters both Earth-born and cosmic must now join forces in a star-spanning adventure against the deadly Annihilation Wave. Brawl through the streets of New York City all the way to the depths of the Negative Zone to foil Annihilus’ vow to spread death across the cosmos.
The game allows you to control a team of two characters with the ability to tag between them mid-fight with the Cosmic Swap system. With distinct superpowers and special attacks, you can unleash unique team-ups and unload devastating damage. There are also powerups and rewards to collect, as well as accessibility features that make it enjoyable for all. The game supports up to four-player drop-in/drop-out local and online co-op.
As someone who grew up gaming in the '80s and '90s it's hard not to immediately fall in love with the simplistic nature of a side-scrolling beat 'em up. And for those who never got to experience the arcade classics, this is about as close as you'll get. The graphics, the gameplay, everything about it is a wonderful homage.
"Marvel Cosmic Invasion celebrates a universe that's enthralled our team since childhood, and the genuine honour of being entrusted with this incredible roster also begins a new era for Dotemu's work with the best entertainment franchises in the world," said Cyrille Imbert, CEO of Dotemu. "Marvel Cosmic Invasion is truly a lifetime in the making - and after witnessing Tribute Games' unwavering devotion to the fans and passion for beloved characters firsthand throughout the development of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, we knew teaming up with them for a modern evolution of arcade-style Marvel action was the only choice."
"I'm quite sure I speak for the whole team at Tribute Games when I say we are profoundly honoured to work on Marvel Cosmic Invasion," added Tribute Games CEO and co-founder Jean-Francois Major. "This project allows us to pay homage not only to the iconic Marvel characters but also to the classic arcade games that shaped our love for gaming. We approach this cherished license with the utmost respect, infusing every pixel with the care and passion it deserves. We once again set out to modernize and push forward the genre while respecting what made the classics great. We couldn't ask for better partners at MARVEL and Dotemu who both understand and share our passion. They amplify our dream for this project."
Anyone who played Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge probably knows we can expect a polished beat 'em up from Tribute Games. The developer has received widespread praise for its ability to modernize the timeless fun of side scrolling brawlers and celebrate the golden age of gaming.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion will launch later this year on PC and consoles.