Picture Credit score: Skybound Video games
I’ll admit, I used to be skeptical of Invincible VS. Not as a result of it seemed notably unhealthy or something, however as a result of I really feel we have already got too many preventing video games within the esports scene already. Nevertheless, my thoughts was fully modified at Evo Vegas 2026.
First, I had the chance to play the sport, which I hadn’t had time to do because it got here out in April 2026. This included two upcoming characters, The Immortal and Universa. It was surprisingly enjoyable. It felt fluid, quick, bloody, and insanely satisfying.
I used to be then capable of converse with Lead Fight Designer “Bau” Bautista and Sport Director Dave Corridor. They usually had such a refreshing plan for the esports scene that I no longer solely imagine within the recreation, however need Invincible VS to be the subsequent large preventing recreation title.
“They’re So Educated”: Invincible VS Devs Work Carefully With the Neighborhood
Picture Credit score: Skybound Video games
The most important titles within the FGC usually share a large problem: a disconnection to the group itself. Whereas most players don’t anticipate builders to speak overtly and candidly with them (although devs have change into higher), it’s extraordinarily essential within the preventing recreation scene notably.
However the Invincible VS workforce goes on the improvement course of fairly otherwise. The identical workforce additionally labored on Killer Intuition in 2013, and realized that the group is a large a part of the method again then.
Mentioned Bau: “As a lot as we find out about fight, preventing video games are such a group… There’s a lot concerned. Getting perspective, suggestions, and dealing with gamers and the group as a complete [is so important].
“They’re so educated. It might be foolish not to concentrate and leverage that as a lot as doable.”
They’re taking the identical method for Invincible VS. Corridor instructed me that the group has been very energetic and there’s an ongoing suggestions loop with the gamers. If players discover a bug, the workforce will announce an incoming sizzling patch. By being so concerned with the group, the dev workforce is aware of precisely what’s happening within the recreation and the way and when to regulate issues.
This explains why the gameplay is so intoxicating. It was created for the preventing recreation scene by preventing recreation fans. The workforce is made up of passionate preventing recreation gamers who hearken to the passionate preventing recreation gamers throughout the group. Their enter issues. Their concepts are carried out.
The end result? A recreation that stands out amongst all of the newcomers within the FGC. There are such a lot of tag fight video games popping out, however Invincible stands out for its brutality (“We love exploding individuals,” Corridor instructed me), its fast-paced, high-action gameplay, fast motion, and energetic tag workforce system. The open-ended combo system can also be a game-changer.
Whereas enjoying the sport, I felt like I might catch on instantly. The combos had been straightforward to drag off and insanely satisfying. There usually are not a ton of inputs required. The matches felt quick and tactical, such as you had been always making essential decisions and doing actually enjoyable s***.
You need to concentrate. It’s participating.
Whereas the barrier of entry is kind of low, there are such a lot of layers to uncover as you grind. There may be lots of depth right here. And that’s because of the workforce’s willingness to actually take note of the playerbase.
“You’ll be able to actually press the button and do a nasty*** combo in case you do it sufficient instances. Have enjoyable. Press any button you need. It’s gonna work,” Corridor mentioned. “As you get higher, you may work out the best way to scale back meter and all these enjoyable issues. When do I tag? When do I throw these additional gameplay parts in there? It begins so as to add onto itself.
“Even the top-level gamers [at the Evo tourney], you’ll see individuals doing stuff we didn’t even know they’re gonna do.”
“It’s a model new preventing recreation franchise,” Bau mentioned. “We’re not beholden to something previously. We’re attempting to make selections and decisions that work for us and our recreation. We’re attempting to remain true to every thing.”
Invincible VS Need to Convey Locals Again to the Forefront
Picture Credit score: Olivia Richman / Esports Insider
This deal with group spills into the esports plans for Invincible VS. Reasonably than hoping for a large mainstream scene filled with sponsors and income (gained’t point out any names), the workforce needs to deal with grassroots tournaments.
Quickly, they’ll begin supporting native tourneys. They imagine that it’s at these locals the place group can really develop. It’s how the dev workforce themselves had been introduced up and so they wish to convey that magic again to the FGC.
“The camaraderie of being subsequent to somebody, that’s so essential in a preventing recreation,” mentioned Corridor. “Taking part in on-line is essential, however being collectively, cheering, doing hype stuff… That’s thrilling.”
Bau added that locals are the place all of it begins. It’s the place you construct connections. Taking part in on-line, you may really feel a bit indifferent. It’s not as satisfying. There are extra gamers, certain, but it surely’s not the identical. He famous: “You don’t get that speaking trash after a match. Locals is the place that got here from.”
Earlier than the pandemic, when the dev workforce was engaged on Invincible VS, they might get collectively and play all types of preventing video games. Avenue Fighter, Soul Calibur, tons of Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee. Hell yeah. There could be six to eight of them, rotating seats.
“There was a number of enjoyable speaking. We’ll name it speaking,” Corridor joked.
That trash speak is actually an essential a part of the preventing recreation scene. That saltiness. That realness. It’s nice that the FGC is rising. We want extra gamers. However we additionally want these locals. These genuine moments. That feeling of camaraderie with a distinct segment group that others simply don’t get. The Invincible VS workforce will get it.
When requested about upcoming DLC, the dev workforce didn’t appear to actually know what was taking place. When had been they popping out? What number of? Somebody got here in and instructed me: Season 2 is coming in October 2026 with two characters, then Season 3 will add two extra in December 2026.
Picture Credit score: Skybound Video games
That’s undoubtedly cool. Nevertheless it’s clear the dev workforce is targeted elsewhere. They care extra concerning the gameplay itself, the expertise it brings for the gamers, the opportunity of locals.
The brand new characters coming will push boundaries and introduce new mechanics. That’s one thing they had been capable of do as soon as that they had a powerful basis. Universa can drain the enemy’s increase meter, and The Immortal can come again from the lifeless. These are issues that can require lots of group suggestions, and devs might be retaining an in depth eye on gameplay within the wild.
The brand new characters are cool and all. However I’ll be ready to listen to extra about these tourneys.
