Marvel Cosmic Invasion, the old-school beat ’em up from developer Tribute Games Inc., and publishers Dotemu and Gamirror Games, are bringing two more fighters to the battle to save the universe. The X-Men‘s Cyclops and The Thing, of the Fantastic Four, are lending their impressive powers to the battle.
With 15 playable characters already in the game, one may wonder how different the two newest entries in the game’s growing roster could be. Happily, both new characters feel unique in their playstyles. What’s more, they bring a lot of flash to their moves, as both harness style and charm on any battlefield, wherever in the cosmos it may be.
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Cyclops has a powerful ranged kit in Marvel Cosmic Invasion.
Let’s talk about Cyclops first. The X-Men’s quintessential field leader, Scott Summers, has a powerful ranged kit in Marvel Cosmic Invasion that lets him lash out at opponents from across the screen. His basic attack fires small optic blasts, while his skill sees a longer, more powerful beam streak across the fight. A nice touch of his skill is that it pushes enemies back on hit. This not only adds to its usefulness, as it can nudge foes off ledges, but also acknowledges that Cyclops’ beams are supposed to be force blasts.
Pushing enemies around isn’t the only way that the conussive force of Cyclops’ energy attacks is showcased. Ever the tactical mind, Cyclops also uses his optic blasts to empower his dash. When his dash animation begins, he points his visor downward and fires a beam that propels him away. While I can’t recall ever seeing him use his mutant power in this way before, it is a fun interpretation that lets his defensive maneuver be more than a simple combat roll.
Cyclops may also be the best grounded character for dealing with flying foes.
Cyclops may also be the best grounded character for dealing with flying foes in Marvel Cosmic Invasion. Pressing jump and attack simultaneously unleashes an upward blast that can knock pesky flyers from the sky. The hit box for this attack is very generous, allowing it to swat away multiple foes overhead.
As one may expect, Marvel Cosmic Invasion chooses to let Cyclops unleash the full force of his power through his ultimate attack. Throwing off his visor, Cyclops blasts directly in front of him, before turning his head a full 360 degrees in a vertical rotation, knocking everything on his plane away.
The Thing brings a more down-to-earth approach to Marvel Cosmic Invasion.
Despite the numerous gorgeous animations that fill this game, this is probably the best. The bend of the energy beam as it turns and the expression on Cyclops’ face as he releases his trademark discipline for one monster attack sell the power of the moment. Coupled with the sheer size of the crimson red beam as it blots out portions of the screen during its rotation, it’s an incredible sight to behold.
While Cyclops brings a lot of flair to Marvel Cosmic Invasion, the everloving Thing brings a more down-to-earth approach to swatting away threats to the universe. The bruiser sports a strong grab attack, as well as a classic boxer’s defensive stance for his defense.
My favorite part of The Thing’s kit is his aerial maneuver. When he attacks in the air, The Thing rolls up in a ball and slams down onto the ground. What makes this fun is the fact that he bounces once, allowing the player to bowl through numerous enemies. This attack is both highly effective and humorously animated.
Both characters bring fun gameplay styles and great visual designs.
Humor is a hallmark of The Thing in this game. Along with his comical bounce, he also sports a chuckle-worthy expression if you try to grab an opponent and fail. The Thing’s embarrassment at wiffing the move adds more charm to a game that already has plenty. Makes you wish Johnny were there to rib him about it.
The Thing’s ultimate move is a classic bruiser maneuver. Extending both arms, he spins around, launching foes he strikes. While spinning, The Thing is steerable, allowing players to get the absolute most out of the maneuver.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion‘s first DLC offering is a grand slam. Both characters bring fun gameplay styles and great visual designs. If you feel like giving the Anihilation Wave another trouncing, these two are great pick-ups to join the fight.
Cyclops and The Thing are now available for Marvel Cosmic Invasion.
