Marvel Cosmic Invasion Preview - Picking Up Where Shredder’s Revenge Left Off
For many of us, the pixelated streets and vibrant characters of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise hold a special place in our hearts. The 2022 release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, developed by the talented team at Tribute Games and published by the renowned Dotemu, reignited that nostalgic flame. It masterfully captured the essence of the classic side-scrolling beat ’em ups, exceeding even the loftiest expectations held by long-time fans. Now, the very same studio that delivered that triumphant return to the sewers is venturing into a new, equally beloved universe: the Marvel cosmos. At Gaming News, we recently had the opportunity to get our hands on an early build of Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and the parallels to Shredder’s Revenge are as promising as they are exciting. This hands-on preview aims to provide an in-depth look at what we can expect from this highly anticipated title, positioning it as the definitive guide for anyone eager to dive into this cosmic brawl.
A Roster Bursting with Cosmic Power: Unveiling the Playable Heroes
One of the most immediate and striking aspects of Marvel Cosmic Invasion is its incredibly diverse and star-studded roster. The build we experienced featured an impressive nine playable characters, offering a wide array of playstyles and iconic personalities. These included Captain America, the sentinel of liberty, Nova, the Human Rocket, Storm, the Mistress of the Elements, Venom, the symbiotic anti-hero, Wolverine, the best there is at what he does, Phyla-Vell, the radiant Quantum Bands wielder, Spider-Man, the wall-crawling web-slinger, Rocket Raccoon, the genetically engineered sharpshooter, and She-Hulk, the Jade Giantess.
Beyond this already stellar lineup, the developers have confirmed that the final roster will be even more expansive. Set to join the fray are fan-favorite powerhouses like Beta Ray Bill and the cosmic herald, Silver Surfer. Furthermore, we were assured that at least four more playable heroes are slated for official confirmation before the game’s launch, hinting at even more beloved faces from across the Marvel Universe making an appearance. This commitment to a deep and varied roster is a clear indication of Tribute Games’ dedication to providing players with a wealth of choices, ensuring that every fan can find a hero that resonates with their preferred combat style.
Tag-Team Tactics: The Dual-Hero Mechanic
Building upon the successful formula of Shredder’s Revenge, Marvel Cosmic Invasion introduces a compelling new mechanic that elevates the cooperative gameplay: the dual-hero system. In this iteration, up to four players can team up, with each player controlling a team of two distinct Marvel heroes. This innovative approach allows for dynamic tag-team maneuvers, strategic switching between characters mid-combat, and the ability to leverage the unique strengths of each hero in concert.
The depth of this system becomes immediately apparent when examining character-specific movement and attack patterns. For instance, a simple double-tap of the jump button reveals a hero’s innate mobility. Wolverine, true to his ferocity, possesses no double-jump, emphasizing his grounded, aggressive approach. In contrast, characters like Storm can levitate, allowing for aerial control, while Spider-Man utilizes his web-swinging abilities for unparalleled traversal across the screen.
Each hero is equipped with a standard melee attack, a unique hero-specific attack that often reflects their individual powers and abilities, and a powerful special attack. This special ability requires “focus,” a resource that is accumulated by successfully landing attacks on enemies, rewarding aggressive and consistent play. This system encourages players to actively engage with the combat, building up their special meters to unleash devastating combos and turn the tide of battle. The strategic deployment of these special abilities, coupled with the seamless tag-team mechanic, promises a layer of tactical depth rarely seen in the genre.
Annihilation Across the Multiverse: The Story and Setting
The narrative of Marvel Cosmic Invasion thrusts players into a universe-spanning conflict against one of Marvel’s most formidable cosmic threats: Annihilus. This insidious warlord and his legions of insectoid minions have launched a devastating assault across various iconic locations within the Marvel Universe. We had the opportunity to experience two of these battle-worn locales firsthand during our preview: the familiar urban sprawl of New York City and the high-tech interior of a SHIELD Helicarrier.
Our journey began on the streets of New York, where we controlled the formidable duo of Venom and Spider-Man. True to Tribute Games’ meticulous attention to detail, the vibrant backgrounds were brimming with subtle nods and easter eggs for dedicated Marvel fans. Newspaper headlines in the Daily Bugle hinted at ongoing events, such as the mysterious disappearance of Norman Osborn and the ever-present “Spider Menace” propaganda, grounding the fantastical conflict in the familiar reality of the Marvel Universe. However, the city’s troubles were far more pressing than tabloid gossip; Annihilus’ forces had descended, turning the bustling metropolis into a warzone.
New York City Under Siege: A Familiar Battlefield
The New York stage served as an excellent introduction to the core gameplay mechanics and the distinct playstyles of the heroes. Spider-Man felt as agile and nimble as ever, capable of effortlessly swinging across the screen and bombarding enemies with his webs from a distance. The strategic element of his web-shooters, which require a brief recharge period, forces players to be judicious with their ranged attacks, adding a layer of tactical consideration.
Venom, on the other hand, embodied a more brutal and visceral approach to combat. His special attack delivered devastating area-of-effect damage, making him a formidable force up close. His crawling animation when sprinting added a touch of menacing character to his movement, perfectly capturing the essence of the symbiote.
The New York segment culminated in a boss battle against the technologically advanced villain, Beetle. Under Annihilus’ control, Beetle presented a challenging, albeit manageable, first boss encounter. He cycled through various attack patterns, including rapid movement across the screen, summoning laser barrages, and unleashing projectile volleys. While there were moments that demanded precise dodging and timely attacks, the fight remained accessible, ultimately rewarding our efforts with a satisfying victory that propelled us to the next stage.
The Helicarrier Assault: Escalating the Conflict
To further explore the breadth of the playable roster and the game’s diverse environments, we replayed the New York stage with Storm and Wolverine, before progressing to the next level: a SHIELD Helicarrier. Typically a symbol of safety and advanced technology for Marvel heroes, this airborne fortress was now under siege. The narrative revealed that SHIELD had apprehended MODOK, prompting an coordinated assault by AIM and Annihilus’ forces to infiltrate their paramount base.
The AIM minions encountered on the Helicarrier proved to be a more formidable challenge than Annihilus’ initial ground troops. These enemies were equipped with elemental-based weaponry, utilizing attacks powered by electricity and fire, demanding a more nuanced approach to combat and defense.
Storm showcased her incredible versatility, seamlessly transitioning from rapid melee combos to unleashing the full fury of her weather manipulation abilities. Her ranged attacks, manifested as powerful gusts of wind, provided excellent crowd control, while her ultimate special attack, a devastating lightning storm, offered immense destructive potential against concentrated enemy groups.
Wolverine, in contrast, compensated for his lack of aerial mobility and ranged attacks with an unparalleled sense of speed and ferocity. We found immense satisfaction in his ability to rapidly traverse the screen, leap onto enemies, and repeatedly plunge his adamantium claws into them, embodying his signature berserker rage.
The Helicarrier level itself offered a more varied environmental experience. It featured a classic elevator sequence, where players must fend off waves of attacking enemies as they ascend, and an area where players could utilize mounted laser turrets to decimate incoming foes. The stage’s climax presented a boss fight against one of Marvel’s most iconic and adaptable villains: Taskmaster.
True to his moniker and skillset, Taskmaster demonstrated a remarkable ability to mimic and counter player attacks. The key to overcoming him lay in recognizing his imitative patterns, particularly when he deployed his shield-throwing attack, reminiscent of Captain America’s own signature move. By patiently observing his attack loops and timing our own powerful offensive bursts, especially Storm’s lightning, we were able to dismantle his defenses and secure another victory.
Introducing the Latest Additions: Rocket Raccoon and She-Hulk
Our hands-on session concluded with an opportunity to test the two newest characters revealed for the demo: Rocket Raccoon and She-Hulk. These two heroes represent almost polar opposite ends of the combat spectrum, further highlighting the game’s commitment to offering diverse playstyles.
She-Hulk embodies the “hulking” archetype, wielding immense physical power. Her moveset features devastating ground pounds and screen-clearing attacks that command attention. However, we found her to be somewhat slow and rigid in her animations, which, while fitting for her character, might not appeal to all players seeking extreme mobility.
Rocket Raccoon, conversely, is a masterclass in hyper-mobility and rapid-fire offense. His gameplay is a dazzling display of gadgetry and weaponry, perfectly capturing his chaotic and resourceful nature. A simple tap of the standard attack button sees him deploying a ranged zapper, while up close, he transitions into a rapid melee combo. His secondary attack allows for the strategic deployment of grenades, and a sprint-attack results in him dropping a trip mine that damages nearby enemies.
His ultimate special attack is a spectacle in itself, as Rocket unleashes a barrage of devastating firearms, dealing substantial damage to all adversaries within his immediate vicinity. Playing as Rocket truly feels like experiencing his most memorable, scene-stealing moments from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, distilled into the exhilarating format of a 2D brawler. The sheer joy and kinetic energy of his gameplay are undeniable, making him an immediate fan favorite.
Shredder’s Revenge Legacy: A Promising Future for Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Given our profound affection for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, coupled with our deep admiration for the Marvel Universe and its rich tapestry of characters, we approached our preview of Marvel Cosmic Invasion with a high degree of anticipation. We are thrilled to report that our experience not only met but arguably exceeded those expectations. The gameplay mechanics are fluid and engaging, the character designs are faithful and vibrant, and the overall presentation is a testament to Tribute Games’ exceptional talent.
The breadth of the playable cast, coupled with the promise of even more characters to be revealed, fuels our excitement for the game’s eventual release. We eagerly anticipate discovering the deeper cuts, surprise cameos, and countless fun nods to the comics, movies, and animated series that Marvel Cosmic Invasion is sure to deliver. While a definitive release date remains elusive, the general confirmation of a 2025 launch window gives us a timeframe to mark on our calendars. When this cosmic clash finally arrives, we will be more than ready to answer the call and join forces against the formidable threat of Annihilus. The legacy of Shredder’s Revenge is in very capable hands, and Marvel Cosmic Invasion is shaping up to be an absolute must-play title for fans of both arcade-style brawlers and the Marvel Universe.