Dotemu continues to lead the resurgence of retro-style 2D games with its upcoming title, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, developed in collaboration with Tribute Games. Following their success with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, the new side-scrolling arcade beat-’em-up aims to deliver a superhero-focused evolution of that formula.
In a recent hands-on demo at Summer Game Fest 2025, players could select two heroes from seven available characters: Captain America, Nova, Storm, Venom, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Phyla-Vell. Each hero features unique movesets and abilities, a notable advance from Shredder’s Revenge, where playable characters had only minor differences.
The gameplay takes place in the streets of New York, where players face waves of enemies serving the villain Annihilus. Players control one hero at a time, freely swapping between their pair during combat. Attacks range from quick strikes to slower, more powerful blows, with aerial moves and super attacks available. The super attacks, performed at a health cost, are a nostalgic nod to classic 2D beat-’em-up mechanics.
Strategic hero selection is crucial, as characters excel in different combat styles. For example, Nova specializes in long-range energy attacks, while Wolverine thrives in close-quarters combat. Switching heroes dynamically allows players to adapt to opponents’ tactics and create varied offensive strategies. Additionally, calling in an inactive hero for assist attacks can provide crucial breathing room during intense fights.
Combat delivers satisfying feedback, with distinct sounds and impactful animations. Super attacks stand out visually, clearing enemies with dramatic effects. Storm’s electricity-based super attack was a highlight, evoking classic moves from earlier Marvel fighting games.
The demo included two boss battles: one featuring Beetle under Annihilus’s control, and the other against the formidable Taskmaster. Both bosses followed traditional 2D beat-’em-up formats, including multi-phase fights and large health bars. A new shield mechanic was introduced, where bosses have a blue shield surrounding their health that must be depleted before damage affects their health bar. This added a fresh layer of challenge and strategy to boss encounters.
Overall, Marvel Cosmic Invasion offers a nostalgic yet refined beat-’em-up experience. Its blend of varied hero abilities, tactical combat, and classic arcade elements is set to appeal to longtime fans of the genre. The game is scheduled for release in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.