REVIEW: Marvel vs. Capcom 3

For fighting game fans and comic book aficionados looking to duke it out with their favorite characters, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 has been the venue for these classic battles for the last decade. Concidered by most to be the greatest Marvel-based video game ever made, MvC2 has been played and analyzed to death with fans clamoring for a sequel. As the years passed, the Marvel video game license left Capcom's hands and jumper from publisher to publisher until the idea of a sequel was nothing more than a pipe dream. Last year that all changed. Through dark magics that only Doctor Strange could comprehend, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was announced and the hype has been building to critical mass ever since. Personally, I've been soaking up any information I could lay my hands on: from character reveal trailers, to developer interviews, to making a WWE-style smack talk video to win entry into a pre-release tournament, I just had to get my hands on the game. And by the Eye of Agamotto, dear readers, you are in for a treat! 

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has comic book personality emanating from every pore. Rather than rehashing old fighters, the majority of the cast this time around is brand new to the series.  Newcomers like Date from Devil May Cry and Arthur from Ghouls N’ Ghosts bring the heat to the Capcom side of things, while Marvel boasts fan-favorites like MODOK, Deadpool (who constantly breaks the fourth wall, of course), and X-23. And from new characters to old favorites, each fighter has a distinct personality. Written by Marvel scribe Frank Tieri, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has given their characters the gift of a unique voice. Characters will call out each other’s names when tagging their partner in, or if two characters have a history they may quip back and forth with some custom smack talk. It’s a small addition in the grand scheme of things, sure, but the little touches of dialog and story help to sell the feeling that, yes, I am totally controlling the Spider-Man and Wolverine I read every month.  The writing will put a smile on your face and send your comic fan senses tingling.

With 10 years of playtesting and several more fighting games under their belt, Capcom really took their time refining the combat system for Marvel vs. Capcom 3.  The controls have been somewhat simplified, making it one of the most accessible fighting games created. Instead of the infamous six-button attack controls, there are now three main attack buttons, a dedicated button to launch your opponent in the air, and two partner buttons. From the button-masher to the seasoned tournament veteran, everyone I’ve seen with the game in their hands has been able to produce some impressive combos with little effort. For those of you that want it easier, Capcom has included a “Simple” control mode, where a single button push will link together combos or execute one of the over-the-top hyper moves. Chunks of the Internet are already clucking about how easy it is to perform cool moves, like that somehow decries the viability of the game. In practice, the new control scheme allows players from all levels of expertise to pick their teams, go at it, and have fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of the Marvel vs. Capcom combat staples are back with a few new additions. Hyper combos, partner assist attacks, and team building strategy are still key parts of the game, but two new additions to the core combat mechanics create some exciting fights! First, there are the Team Aerial Combos. Knock your opponent into the air with the press of a button, follow it up with a few hits, and with another press you can tag in one of your partners and continue the combo chain. The aerial combos do a nice chunk of damage, are not too difficult to pull off, and look really cool in action.  The other new addition if the X-Factor system, which acts as a sort of “comeback” mechanic. If you find yourself in a tough spot, press all four attack buttons and your character will glow red, gaining extra speed, damage, and health regeneration. You only get one use per match, and X-Factor becomes more effective the less life you have, so you’ll have to strategize. Do you use X-Factor early to take out a character that’s giving you trouble, or do you save it for that last-minute comeback? This extra layer of strategy can make for some nail-biting matches during those precious final seconds.

In the graphics department, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a real beauty to behold. Yes, MvC2 is classic and has a huge cast of characters, but the sprite artwork is really starting to look dated. The new cast is rendered in glorious 3D, with a strong comic book ascetic permeating every corner of the game. Normal hits and hyper combos produce fantastic light shows on the screen that will have you ooh-ing and ah-ing at the screen constantly. Everything from the backgrounds to the characters are totally gorgeous, making MvC3 one of the most graphically impressive fighters I’ve ever played.

  

The game is chock full of modes and tools for those of you looking to take the fight beyond the standard arcade mode. New to the series is Mission Mode, where the game will teach you combo attacks of gradually increasing difficulty. Want to step up your game even further? Well then Training Mode is the place for you. Featuring a extremely comprehensive list of training dummy controls, you can recreate nearly any gameplay situation and figure out how to get out of tight spots. There is even an option to simulate network lag, for you online fighters.  

Speaking of online, the handful of games I've been able to play over the Internet so far have been, so far, lag-free. Simply enter the Online Mode and select if you want to play a ranked match or a friendly game and the included matchmaking service will partner you with a player of comperable skill. Each player is issued a License which tracks your gameplay style, giving you a report of your strengths and weaknesses. You're able to view your opponent's License before the start of a match, allowing you to get a sneak peek at what to expect from the match. The more you play, the better grasp Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has of your gameplay preferences, and the better chances of you getting matched up with a player of comperable skill. The major downside of online is the exclusion of a Spectator mode for lobby matches. In a friendly lobby, where up to six players can join, you're stuck watching only the life bars of the current match until it's your turn to fight. Capcom has mentioned this feature may be added with a patch down the road, but it's still a sticking point for those that like to get a few rounds in with their friends.

Unlike MvC2, where only a handful of fighters were viable for competitive play, every fighter in MvC3 has been tweaked and balanced to hold their own. Time will tell once the hardcore players get some time in with the game, but from my experiences so far every character feels very powerful and really fun to play.  Load up the game, pick your favorite characters, and have a blast fighting it out. You can’t ask for much more than that. Easily the most fun and accessible fighter Capcom has made, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is sure to delight and entertain players for years to come.  See you all online! 

Graphics: 5 Stars | Gameplay: 5 Stars | Overall: 5 Stars

Bonus Round: Here's the WWE-style video I made to win entry in a pre-release Gamespot tournament. Directed by our very our Ron Richards! 

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Josh Richardson is the resident iFanboy joystick junkie. Check out more of his thoughts on video games, comics, and other general mischief over at Twitter.