With its array of heroes and villains, it’s only natural for Invincible to get a fighting video game. The first game from developer Quarter Up is a tag fighter that takes full advantage of the TV show’s cast of beloved characters by pitting them into intense three-versus-three battles. Capturing the show’s charm and sense of humor well, Invincible VS is exactly the type of licensed game that will please fans and newcomers alike.
While the teams of three will make you immediately think of Marvel vs. Capcom, Invincible VS is definitely its own game from a gameplay perspective, even if there are plenty of similarities. The biggest difference is that special moves are all on a dedicated button and only require a direction press rather than a dragon punch movement or something more advanced. This keeps the entry level simple for the game, as well as there being a weak auto combo that can be used. It’s definitely designed to be accessible for fans of the TV show, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t depth.
The real fun of Invincible VS arrives when you really embrace the tag format and its complexities. Calling in assists, bringing in active tags mid-combo (nothing feels better than getting your whole group in during a single combo attack), and doing damaging counterattacks off blocks are all elements that you’ll master over time. With a roster of 18 characters (including an original hero called Ella Mental) that each have their own play styles, there’s a lot of depth here and transferable basics once you really understand how the game works, thanks to its handy tutorial.
Invincible VS also sports a surprisingly fun story mode. While it’s short and can be completed in well under two hours, the voice actors do a good job of nearly matching the TV show’s cast and playing the characters very well. The animation of the cutscenes also looks great, embarrassingly better than the TV show’s standard of animation. The only complaint is that the story ends on a cliffhanger just as it seems to get any momentum, and it feels like an excuse to just have everyone punch each other. When will we get a proper conclusion? Probably never, and that’s why a smaller story would’ve worked better from a narrative standpoint, but it’s still a fun romp and is an impressive effort from the dev team.
There’s not much else to do for solo players, although there is an arcade mode with multiple ladders. So, working your way through the four different ladders, the last of which has you facing 12 opponents, with the different characters, will keep you busy for a while. However, the long-term life is definitely going to be spent playing the game online, and its lobby system worked very well for me, so it seems to have everything you’ll need to continue having a blast with friends and strangers alike.
Invincible VS Review: Final Verdict
Invincible VS is a super fun tag fighting game that makes the most of its franchise and crafts wonderful move lists for its heroes and villains. The short story mode feels like a tease of what could’ve been, but the core action is always fulfilling. Fans of the TV show and comic will get a real kick out of the game, and fighting games looking to scratch that Marvel vs. Capcom itch will also be satisfied.
SCORE: 8.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8.5 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PS5 copy for our Invincible VS review. Reviewed on version 1.003.000.
