Opinion
Saros is unbelievably difficult – but these games are much worse
by Domagoj Belancic
The greatest superhero gets his very own game – but will Invincible VS live up to its inspiration?
5.5.2026
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Pictures: Domagoj Belancic
The first major game in the Invincible universe is a brutal 3v3 tag-team fighter. Yet despite a solid foundation and attention to detail, the end result isn’t quite up to par.
«The best superhero comic book in the universe» – a bold claim made by Invincible (2003–2018). And while my first exposure only came from the Amazon adaptation (which premiered in 2021), I’d still wholeheartedly agree with that statement. To me, Invincible is the best superhero franchise ever. Better than anything Marvel, DC Comics and the rest have to offer. More than that: the show is one of the best I’ve ever seen on TV.
Yet in the realm of games, things haven’t been going too well for superhero Mark Grayson so far. A short visual novel (Atom Eve) and a lacklustre free-to-play mobile spin-off (Invincible: Guarding the Globe) – that’s all we got.
Invincible VS is the first «real» game set in the Invincible universe. And I’ll let you know if this superhero slam is really that super.
Three on three
Invincible VS is a 3v3 tag-team fighting game from newly founded development studio Quarter Up. The studio is home to the many creative minds behind the spectacular revival of Killer Instinct (2013). Fighting game fans can look forward to a similar gameplay experience in Invincible VS.
You’re not just stuck with one character; instead, you choose three fighters for your team before each match. Every character has their own fighting style. For example, Monster Girl and Battle Beast are vicious killing machines that may be slow, but make up for it with sheer brutality. Cecil and Rex Splode instead specialise in long-range combat, driving opponents crazy with their annoying projectiles (I love it). And Invincible himself is a lightning-fast and well-balanced character, handling most combat situations with ease.
During battles, one of your characters faces off against one opponent. You can switch team members out at any time. While on the bench, they slowly recover from their injuries.
Combos play a central role in the combat system. In theory, you can take down an opponent in one long, devastating combo. But if you just start bashing away mindlessly, you’ll fill your combo meter too quickly and the combo will end prematurely. If you want to keep pounding the enemy, you’ll have to combine different types of attacks (Light, Medium, Heavy, Special) and bring in fighters from the bench during an attack for brutal tag-team combos.
But be careful – your opponent can block tag attacks or even launch a counter combo. You in turn can counter their counterattack, and so on.
These mind games, that constant back-and-forth, make the flow of an Invincible match so exciting. For fighting game newbies like me, though, the combo system can also be frustrating – especially when some psycho (no offence) beats the stuffing out of me online with an endless combo I can’t break out of.
In short, Invincible VS features sophisticated combat mechanics and definitely isn’t a fighting game for beginners. If you don’t usually play many fighters, you’ll have to spend a lot of time in the tutorial and training modes before you can hold your own against the community online. Even then, get ready for a lot of frustrating matches. Git gud, something like that.
Blood, so much blood!
When you land successful attacks (and take damage), up to five super bars at the bottom of the screen fill up. With a full gauge, you can unleash powerful super attacks that your opponent can’t interrupt while they are in progress.
If you save up three bars, you can launch a devastating ultimate attack. Not only does it drain an opponent’s health like crazy, but the animations are wonderfully brutal too. Get ready for gallons of blood and superhero guts.
In case it wasn’t clear yet: Invincible VS is an extremely violent game. Compared to the already bloodthirsty original, the violence is ramped up even further. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I saw so much blood, guts, brain matter and flying heads in a video game.
Let this serve as a warning to anyone who struggles with gore. Or as a selling point for all you sickos out there who can’t get enough of brutal finishers – don’t worry, I count myself among you.
Lacklustre single-player, online’s fine
You can showcase your fighting skills either offline or online. Unfortunately, Invincible VS doesn’t have much substance in its single-player mode.
I finished the story in just over an hour. The cutscenes are all beautifully animated and remind me of the animation style from Spider-Verse. However, the storyline linking these sequences with fights comes across as an unspectacular filler episode. Especially annoying: it ends with a lame cliffhanger.
Yes, getting to spend some more time with these awesome characters after the sensational season four finale (the best season yet!) feels great. But it feels like there’s still a tremendous amount of untapped potential lying dormant there.
At the very least, Ella Mental – a heroine created specifically for the game, sporting elemental superpowers (I love those silly puns) – is a pleasant surprise. I really hope we’ll see the fiery/windy/icy/earthy warrior in the show as well.
In addition to Story Mode, you can also test your offline skills in a basic Arcade Mode. There, you’ll compete against up to twelve opposing teams across various categories, one after another. As a reward, your team captains will receive short outro sequences and you’ll unlock content such as concept art and cosmetics for your profile.
Neat. No more, no less.
Online, you can battle to your heart’s content in ranked and casual modes as well as in custom lobbies. The online brawl (including Rollback Netcode) works flawlessly. Only in one match did I experience unexplained issues and annoying lag, which turned the match into a game of chance.
There’s still one problem, however: many testers were already complaining about large swaths of ragequitters during the beta. And the situation doesn’t seem to have calmed down since the launch. I, too, have encountered opponents who disappear just before they’re about to lose. That’s frustrating, since my win doesn’t count that way.
Too many Viltrumites?
At first glance, the character selection looks great. Invincible VS kicks things off with 18 fighters. In practice, however, the roster doesn’t really impress me. Why do we need five flying Viltrumites right from the start? Where are all those sick villains from Earth? And what about those cool deep cuts that Invincible fans would love? The only ones who stand out as pleasant surprises are GDP Director Cecil (who would’ve thought that guy could fight?) and the previously mentioned Ella Mental.
- Allen the Alien
- Anissa
- Atom Eve
- Battle Beast
- Bulletproof
- Cecil
- Conquest
- Dupli-Kate
- Ella Mental
- Invincible
- Lucan
- Monster Girl
- Omni-Man
- Powerplex
- Rex Splode
- Robot
- Thula
- Titan
I also think it’s a shame that not all characters are voiced by their original actors. The replacement VAs won’t win everyone over. Allen the Alien definitely doesn’t sound like Seth Rogen. Still, I did mistake the Invincible stand-in for Steven Yeun during my playtime.
And at the very least, the one and only J.K. Simmons is on board as Omni-Man.
The current monetisation strategy is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Invincible VS costs about 50 francs or euros, with the deluxe version upping that to around 70. That upgrade includes future roster additions – for example, The Immortal and Universa will be joining the fray this summer.
Not included are the numerous cosmetic skins that’ll be sold as DLC at launch. Ten francs for a topless Conquest skin? What are they smoking?!
Or how about a half-naked Rex Splode wearing a bath towel – hang on, I’m starting to see a pattern with the skins. Admittedly, the tagline «there’s nothing MICRO about this transaction» is damn clever and, humour-wise, very on brand. But even so: ten francs for something like that? I want to earn those ridiculous skins with my skills, not buy them.
Yet despite all my criticism, I’d like to clarify at this point that Invincible VS is by no means a minimalist, soulless cash grab. Quite the opposite. I’m sure the good folks at Quarter Up are all massive Invincible fans. Don’t worry, you’ll be constantly reminded of that.
For example: as fighters enter an arena, the first two characters on the teams will greet each other. And they don’t just spout generic lines; no, they address their opponent specifically, often referencing an event from the comic or the series. Absolute cinema. The unlockable content is also full of Easter eggs and references to the Invincible universe.
Just a shame that, given its limitations, the game doesn’t feel as ambitious as a franchise like Invincible deserves. Yes, love for the source material and well-designed tag-team fighting mechanics form a solid foundation. However, the house built on this foundation lacks variety and substance.
Invincible VS is available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Skybound Interactive provided me with a PS5 copy for review purposes.
In a nutshell
A must for Invincible fans – despite not living up to its potential
Invincible VS is a great 3v3 tag-team fighting game. The fast-paced, intense combat system won me over with its precise controls and strategic depth. I also enjoy the visuals and audio – you can tell real Invincible fans were behind it. In terms of content, however, the game disappoints with sparse single-player content, a subpar character selection and questionable DLC.
Your enjoyment of this brutal 3v3 tag-team fighter will hinge on your dedication as a fan and your genre preferences.
Like Invincible and fighting games? Then you’re going to love Invincible VS. More than that, this game’s made for YOU – feel free to add another star to my rating.
Are you a fan of Invincible, but fighting games aren’t really your thing? Then think carefully before buying – especially since there isn’t much exciting offline content.
Haven’t heard of Invincible, but you like competitive fighting games? Then the sophisticated tag mechanics and polished controls will keep you glued to your controller, even without any prior knowledge of the lore.
Pro
- Impressive audiovisual adaptation of Invincible
- Ella Mental is awesome
- Fast-paced, intense strategic 3v3 tag-team gameplay
Contra
- Limited scope (characters, modes, locations)
- Disappointing DLC approach
- Loads of untapped potential
- Doesn’t include all original voice actors
Header image: Skybound Interactive
Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
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