Marvel fans have reason to celebrate as Black Panther joins the expanding roster of Marvel Cosmic Invasion, the upcoming side-scrolling beat-’em-up from Tribute Games and Dotemu. Alongside the King of Wakanda, players will also get to control the enigmatic Cosmic Ghost Rider in this action-packed adventure.
Table of Contents
Game Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Genre | Side-scrolling beat-’em-up |
| Roster Size | 15 heroes total |
| Confirmed Characters | 13 revealed, 2 remaining |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X |
| Release | Later this year |
Black Panther’s Combat Style
The Wakandan king brings his signature martial arts prowess to the battlefield, featuring vibranium-enhanced weaponry. His moveset includes:
- Long-range attacks using vibranium daggers
- Panther Slash with vibranium claws for close combat
- Martial arts combinations reflecting his combat training
This approach stays true to Black Panther’s comic book fighting style, balancing agility with Wakandan technology.
Cosmic Ghost Rider: The Wild Card
Perhaps the more surprising addition is Cosmic Ghost Rider, a relatively recent Marvel character representing a future version of Frank Castle (The Punisher). In an alternate timeline where Thanos defeated all heroes, Castle became Ghost Rider before serving as Galactus’s herald, developing a Deadpool-like personality after centuries of cosmic torment.
His abilities include:
- Flaming chains for multi-enemy attacks
- Penance Blast using his own head as a weapon
- Cosmic motorcycle for devastating damage
Complete Confirmed Roster
The game features an impressive lineup of Marvel heroes:
- Cosmic Powerhouses: Beta Ray Bill, Nova, Silver Surfer
- Street-Level Heroes: Spider-Man, Wolverine, Venom
- Team Leaders: Captain America, Storm, She-Hulk
- Guardians: Rocket Raccoon
- Cosmic Warriors: Phyla-Vell
With 13 characters revealed, only two mystery heroes remain to complete the 15-character roster.
Gaming Context
This announcement comes after EA’s cancellation of Black Panther’s solo game earlier this year, making his inclusion in Cosmic Invasion particularly welcome for fans. The beat-’em-up genre has experienced a renaissance, with games like Streets of Rage 4 proving there’s still appetite for side-scrolling action.
For gaming enthusiasts following Marvel gaming developments, Cosmic Invasion represents a more accessible approach to superhero gaming compared to complex open-world adventures, focusing on cooperative gameplay and character variety.
Unique Gameplay Features
Players can swap between two different heroes during battles, encouraging experimentation with character combinations and tactical approaches. This mechanic should provide significant replay value as different hero pairings offer varied gameplay experiences.
The storyline involves defending against Annihilus and his Negative Zone forces, providing a cosmic-scale threat worthy of the assembled hero roster.
FAQs
Will there be any DLC characters after the initial 15-hero roster?
No DLC announcements have been made, though the developer’s focus on a complete 15-character roster suggests this is the final count.
Can you play the entire game solo or is co-op required?
The hero-swapping mechanic suggests solo play is supported, though specific co-op details haven’t been fully detailed by the developers.
