If you’ve watched or read the excellent “Invincible,” you’re probably aware of just how brutal the fights between these superheroes can be – I’m still not over watching Omni-Man wipe the floor with the Guardians of the Globe and it has been years since I saw that first episode. That episode is also a good barometer of how bloody you can expect the fights to be in Invincible VS, an upcoming 3v3 tag fighting game from Skybound’s first in-house game development studio, Quarter Up, comprised of members behind the excellent Killer Instinct (2013).

We last got a good look at Invincible VS following its world reveal during Xbox Games Showcase, where we went in-depth on some of its mechanics, like the 3v3 tag battle system, and the bonus round face-off that occurs once time expires. Coming back to it again with a slightly larger roster, now including Omni-Man (voiced by J.K. Simmons), Rex Splode, and Battle Beast, it still feels like a fighter that is going to hit that sweet spot of a compelling and deep fighting game experience, with some satisfying pick-up-and-play elements for less seasoned players.

What I was working to discern during my hands-on time with the game is how different all the fighters feel to play, especially with the three fighters I’m trying out for the first time. For example, Omni-Man is classified as a Balance/Power fighter, meaning he’s well rounded and excels at dealing raw damage, where Battle Beast is classified as a Striker/Pressure fighter, meaning he’s focused more on landing attacks (rather than grappling/throws) and is built to keep players on the defensive. Rex Splode, meanwhile, is your Ranged/Mobility attacker, designed to strike from a distance with flame attacks and remain mobile enough to evade incoming punches.

Omni-Man had some great attacks I kept coming back to, like his Heavy Attack uppercut that would send opponents flying into the air, chasing them up to follow with a series of air juggles to keep the pain coming. Rex Splode feels like one for more experienced players, with some powerful flame attacks and was definitely agile enough to remain at a safe(ish) distance during fights.

As I continued to play, I found Battle Beast to be one of my favorites. Even though he felt slower to move than the other characters, being able to press my attacks (remaining close) against any of the opponents was highly effective, especially by pressing Forward and stringing together a series of Light Attack (X button) combos, which kicked off an auto combo that showcased a brutal series of attacks, culminating in a Ground Bounce that, sometimes, would just shatter my opponents apart in a pile of bloody goop.

He wasn’t alone in pulling off auto combos. Omni-Man also had an effective one where he sends the opponent into the air, and Rex Splode would shove flaming sticks into the face of an unwilling opponent. Every character I played could seemingly combo easily with some rapid pressing of the X (Light Attack). Stringing even just five of these hits together can unleash a powerful combo attack, giving you a satisfying look as your fighters continue to dish damage.

I also appreciate how reactive the voice dialogue is between characters. Omni-Man dissing on an unkempt moustache from his doppelganger, or how Invincible would complain about Rex Splode’s various quips are great table-setters before a battle kicks off. Context with the show and comics are helpful, but not necessary, and all seem designed to tap into a player’s curiosity to watch the show or read the comics to better understand where these characters are coming from (and why they may have a particular beef with each other).

As the battles go on, the brutality really starts to shine through as the fights continue into the later stages with your characters having ragged clothing, severe bruising, and becoming drenched in blood (lots of blood) that gives Mortal Kombat a run for its money. Not to mention, when you’re able to string those combos together it can result in detached limbs laying in a puddle of remains. It’s a great touch that’s all very reminiscent of the television show, especially when I could build up my Special Meter to kick off a powerful cinematic attack.

One of the most intense finishers I was able to pull off was Omni-Man’s, where he would grab the face of my opponent, fly them up in the air, crush them through dozens of buildings, and then drop a mountain of rocks on top of them. I was grinning from ear to ear at just how ridiculously awesome it all was.

And that touches on what makes this such a fun and effective pick-up and play experience. You can unleash so many awesome attacks by only needing to focus around four buttons — Light Attack (X), Medium Attack (Y), Heavy Attack (B), and Special (A) — instead of the usual six for most fighters. This starts to bring the game more in line with the likes of a Marvel vs Capcom or Smash Bros. fighting experience. That’s not to suggest there isn’t a lot of depth here – one look at all the moves you can pull off in the menu illustrates this. It’s that you’re all but guaranteed a good time after just a few minutes of dedication. That’s rare to see in any type of fighting game.

It’s unclear how many more fighters will be available with Invincible VS (Robert Kirkman has been teasing a pretty large roster) when it launches next year – I’d love to see the inclusion of other notable characters like Monster Girl, Black Samson, or Robot — but the roster that’s already in place is bringing a tremendous mix of styles and flare that makes this 3v3 tag fighter a tremendous amount of fun to play already, and I can’t wait to see how it progresses.

Look for Invincible VS to launch in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.

Invincible VS

Skybound Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Invincible VS is a brutal superhero 3v3 tag fighting game set in the Invincible universe, where you can battle to the death as a team of fan-favorite characters in iconic locations. Unleash bone-breaking combos through fast combat and smart defensive tactics to leave a trail of blood and destruction. Land vicious Super moves and Ultimates to leave your opponents in a mess of blood.

Invincible VS features a variety of game modes including a captivating cinematic story mode with an original narrative from a writer of the animated series. Jump into Arcade and battle with your team, hone your combos in Training mode, and test your skills against the world in competitive and casual multiplayer. Show, comic fans, and fighting game lovers will experience unparalleled heroic brutality, where every earth-shattering blow will leave you feeling… Invincible.

This is the debut title from the newly formed Quarter Up—the first in-house studio at Skybound—led by former members of the core Killer Instinct (2013) dev team.