Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a '90s-style beat-'em-up in the mold of Shredder's Revenge

Engadget - Mar 27th, 2025
Open on Engadget

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a new arcade-style beat-'em-up game featuring beloved characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine. Developed by Tribute Games and published by Dotemu, the game captures the nostalgic essence of '90s arcade classics with modern enhancements. Players can form teams of two superheroes to fight against the villain Annihilus, who threatens the galaxy with the Annihilation Wave. The game supports up to four players, both locally and online, and includes crossplay functionality. It will be available on PC, Switch, PS5/PS4, and Xbox, with a release date set for later this year.

Inspired by '90s Marvel comics and arcade games like X-Men and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel Cosmic Invasion aims to blend old-school pixel art with contemporary graphics. This approach allows the game to appeal to both nostalgic fans and new players. The potential addition of more iconic Marvel characters in the future could further enhance its appeal. As players anticipate its release, the game promises a star-spanning adventure through various iconic locations, from New York City to the depths of the Negative Zone, providing a rich and immersive experience.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively informs readers about the upcoming game *Marvel Cosmic Invasion*, highlighting its nostalgic appeal and modern features. It is well-written and engaging, with clear descriptions and a logical flow. However, the lack of source attribution and transparency in claim verification slightly detracts from its reliability. While it captures the excitement of the game's release, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective that includes potential drawbacks or challenges. Overall, the article serves its purpose for a gaming audience but could improve in areas of transparency and source quality for greater credibility.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article is largely accurate, presenting verifiable information about the game *Marvel Cosmic Invasion*. It correctly identifies Tribute Games and Dotemu as the developer and publisher, respectively, and describes the game's style and inspiration accurately. The storyline involving Annihilus and the Annihilation Wave aligns with the expected themes of a '90s-inspired Marvel beat-'em-up. However, there are areas that require further verification, such as future DLC characters and the exact release date and pricing, which are currently speculative. Overall, the factual accuracy is strong, but some claims are not yet fully supported by official confirmations.

7
Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by focusing on the game’s development, style, and features without showing favoritism towards any particular aspect. However, it primarily highlights the positive aspects of the game, such as its retro style and multiplayer features, without addressing potential drawbacks or criticisms. This could lead to a somewhat skewed representation that omits important perspectives, such as potential technical challenges or limitations of the game.

8
Clarity

The article is written clearly and concisely, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the game's features and storyline. The language is straightforward and engaging, making it easy for readers to understand the main points. However, the use of terms like 'mum' for developers being silent might confuse some readers unfamiliar with colloquial expressions.

6
Source quality

The article provides information that appears to be sourced from credible entities like Tribute Games and Dotemu, which are reputable in the gaming industry. However, the article does not directly cite any specific sources or provide quotes from developers or publishers, which would enhance the reliability and authority of the content. The reliance on unnamed developers for future character speculation slightly reduces the source quality score.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of source attribution and methodology. It does not disclose where the information was obtained from, nor does it clarify whether certain claims are based on official announcements or speculative insights. This lack of context and explanation can impact the perceived impartiality and reliability of the article.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbr.com/marvel-video-games-shredders-revenge/
  2. https://economictimes.com/news/international/us/entertainment/marvel-cosmic-invasion-game-announced-to-release-on-all-major-platforms/articleshow/119613872.cms
  3. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/03/marvel-gets-the-shredders-revenge-treatment-in-upcoming-beat-em-up-cosmic-invasion
  4. https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-cosmic-invasion-is-a-retro-beat-em-up-from-the-developer-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-shredders-revenge
  5. https://www.theouterhaven.net/tribute-and-dotemu-reveal-beat-em-up-marvel-cosmic-invasion/