With an ensemble beat’em up game like Marvel Cosmic Invasion, it’s critical that characters feel special and different to make using certain folks feel attractive and true to life, and it feels like Tribute Games gets that with the Cyclops and The Thing DLC. The two are the first add-ons for the title. The thing about the execution is that each one feels like they do add something to the existing game and offer different types of play styles that make them enticing.
As Cyclops and The Thing are character DLC, there’s no new storyline just starring the two of them. When you pay $3.99, you only get the two added the roster. You can combine them with existing members or use them together. Basically, it’s a “what we can expect” sort of situation. The character designs are detailed, the sprite work looks good, and they both have unique voiced lines. It’s all very smooth and a hint of things to come since Tribute Games did confirm another two folks will join the cast in 2026.
Admittedly, I feel like The Thing is the more typical of the two new Marvel Cosmic Invasion characters and the one who feels like a more traditional type of beat’em up fighter. He acts as a grappler. His basic attacks will involve just laying into enemies with punches. If you use Y, it will act as a grab. This can then lead to different options for how to continue the assault. Pressing the same button again will involve tossing the enemy, perhaps even throwing them toward another foe like we might do in a Streets of Rage sort of game. If you mash A though, that can be used to trigger a flurry of punches. While I feel he’s the more straightforward of the two, I do appreciate that his jumping move basically turns him into a rocky super ball that bounces for a bit and does a little AOE damage to enemies around him.
Meanwhile, Cyclops struck me as more exciting in Marvel Cosmic Invasion due to his optic blasts. He’s an absolutely incredible ranged character, and because of that I feel like he could slot into any duo you set up. Like swapping to him or pulling him in for a quick attack could be fantastic for crowd control or zoning purposes. But even on his own, he’s great. I think he’d be fantastic for a beginner player or someone playing alongside someone else in co-op. This is because his standard attack will be his ranged blast of energy. If you tap into his unique, it’ll be this even larger AOE beam that can be held for additional damage via a continuous blast.
It’s due to the differing approach between the two that Cyclops and The Thing feel solid on their own, or used as a pair in Marvel Cosmic Invasion. We get one up-close-and-personal sort of unit. The Thing is designed to take advantage of grabs and deal a lot of damage up close, perhaps even hitting multiple enemies close by due to his punches. Cyclops is wonderful for attacking from a distance and providing aid by being able to deal with a wide swath of space with powerful beams. They’re a fun pair who slot into the game well.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion will appear on the Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Cyclops and The Thing DLC is available now.
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