I’ll admit, I used to be skeptical of Invincible VS. Not as a result of it seemed significantly dangerous or something, however as a result of I really feel we have already got too many fighting games in the esports scene already. Nonetheless, 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 communicate with Lead Fight Designer “Bau” Bautista and Sport Director Dave Corridor. And so they had such a refreshing plan for the esports scene that I no longer solely consider within the sport, however need Invincible VS to be the subsequent massive preventing sport title.
“They’re So Educated”: Invincible VS Devs Work Intently With the Group
The most important titles within the FGC usually share an enormous challenge: a disconnection to the neighborhood itself. Whereas most avid gamers don’t anticipate builders to speak overtly and candidly with them (although devs have change into higher), it’s extraordinarily necessary within the preventing sport scene significantly.
However the Invincible VS crew goes on the improvement course of fairly otherwise. The identical crew additionally labored on Killer Intuition in 2013, and realized that the neighborhood is a large a part of the method again then.
Mentioned Bau: “As a lot as we learn about fight, preventing video games are such a neighborhood… There’s a lot concerned. Getting perspective, suggestions, and dealing with gamers and the neighborhood as a complete [is so important].
“They’re so educated. It could be foolish not to concentrate and leverage that as a lot as potential.”
They’re taking the identical strategy for Invincible VS. Corridor advised me that the neighborhood has been very lively and there’s an ongoing suggestions loop with the gamers. If avid gamers discover a bug, the crew will announce an incoming sizzling patch. By being so concerned with the neighborhood, the dev crew is aware of precisely what’s happening within the sport and the way and when to regulate issues.
This explains why the gameplay is so intoxicating. It was created for the preventing sport scene by preventing sport fans. The crew is made up of passionate preventing sport gamers who hearken to the passionate preventing sport gamers throughout the neighborhood. Their enter issues. Their concepts are carried out.
The consequence? A sport 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 advised me), its fast-paced, high-action gameplay, fast motion, and lively tag crew 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 have been simple to drag off and insanely satisfying. There should not a ton of inputs required. The matches felt quick and tactical, such as you have been always making necessary decisions and doing actually enjoyable s***.
You need to listen. It’s partaking.
Whereas the barrier of entry is sort of low, there are such a lot of layers to uncover as you grind. There’s a number of depth right here. And that’s because of the crew’s willingness to actually take note of the playerbase.
“You possibly can actually press the button and do a nasty*** combo in the event you do it sufficient instances. Have enjoyable. Press any button you need. It’s gonna work,” Corridor stated. “As you get higher, you’ll be able to work out how one can scale back meter and all these enjoyable issues. When do I tag? When do I throw these further gameplay components 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 sport franchise,” Bau stated. “We’re not beholden to something previously. We’re attempting to make choices and decisions that work for us and our sport. We’re attempting to remain true to all the things.”
Invincible VS Need to Carry Locals Again to the Forefront
This concentrate on neighborhood spills into the esports plans for Invincible VS. Fairly than hoping for an enormous mainstream scene stuffed with sponsors and income (won’t mention any names), the crew desires to concentrate on grassroots tournaments.
Quickly, they’ll begin supporting native tourneys. They consider that it’s at these locals the place neighborhood can really develop. It’s how the dev crew themselves have been introduced up and so they wish to deliver that magic again to the FGC.
“The camaraderie of being subsequent to somebody, that’s so necessary in a preventing sport,” stated Corridor. “Enjoying on-line is necessary, 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. Enjoying on-line, you’ll be able to really feel a bit indifferent. It’s not as satisfying. There are extra gamers, certain, nevertheless it’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 crew 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 can 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 necessary a part of the preventing sport scene. That saltiness. That realness. It’s nice that the FGC is rising. We’d like 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 crew will get it.
When requested about upcoming DLC, the dev crew didn’t appear to actually know what was occurring. When have been they popping out? What number of? Somebody got here in and advised me: Season 2 is coming in October 2026 with two characters, then Season 3 will add two extra in December 2026.
That’s positively cool. Nevertheless it’s clear the dev crew is concentrated elsewhere. They care extra in regards to the gameplay itself, the expertise it brings for the gamers, the potential for locals.
The brand new characters coming will push boundaries and introduce new mechanics. That’s one thing they have been capable of do as soon as they’d 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 a number of neighborhood suggestions, and devs will likely be holding 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.
