The French studio Dotemu and Canadian developer Tribute Games are preparing to hit hard in 2025 with Marvel Cosmic Invasion, a beat 'em up that promises to thrill fans of the genre. And given the duo's track record, we have every reason to be excited.

After the phenomenal success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (sold in millions of copies), Dotemu and Tribute Games are back with a proven formula: old-school beat 'em up revisited with impressive attention to detail. This time, it's the Marvel universe that's in their expert hands, and the result looks explosive.

A Cosmic Threat, a Heroic Response

The story features Annihilus, an immortal super-villain who launches a galactic offensive called the Annihilation Wave. Faced with this existential threat, Earth-born and cosmic heroes must join forces. The adventure will take players from the streets of New York to the depths of the Negative Zone, in an epic battle for the survival of the universe.

The roster is impressive: 15 playable characters in total, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Storm, She-Hulk, Captain America, Venom, Rocket Raccoon, Nova, Phyla-Vell, Black Panther, and Cosmic Ghost Rider. Enough to satisfy all Marvel fans.

Cosmic Swap, the Game's Signature Mechanic

Marvel Cosmic Invasion introduces Cosmic Swap, a system that allows you to instantly switch between two heroes mid-combat. Each duo has unique synergies and devastating combined attacks, adding real strategic depth to the gameplay. The game offers local or online co-op for up to four players, with crossplay between platforms.

The pixel art pays tribute to different iconic eras of Marvel, evoking the golden age of 80s and 90s arcade games. Dotemu and Tribute Games have also considered accessibility, with numerous options so the whole family can enjoy the experience.

A Demo Already Available

Good news: a playable demo is already available on Steam, offering two complete levels and nine heroes to test. The game is optimized for Steam Deck, so you can take the action anywhere.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is expected in 2025 on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. If Dotemu and Tribute Games maintain the quality level of their previous titles (Streets of Rage 4, TMNT Shredder's Revenge), we're looking at one of the most promising beat 'em ups of the year. And frankly, we can't wait to get our hands on it.