3
Graphically, it’s a feast. Capcom has managed to nail the aesthetics of a comic book. It’s a beautiful amalgamation of comic book art and sculpted 3D animation. With all of the inherent craziness and flashy effects, it’s surprising that the game’s beautifully animated, fluid and frantic game play never falters. Each background stage is a visual treat, filled with subtle fan-service for advocates of both Marvel and Capcom. It’s a pity there’s so few of them.

The sound is exemplary; not only has Capcom given another nod to fans by including “take you for a ride” from MvC2 as its character select BGM, it’s been remixed thrice. Unlike stages, each character has its own background theme. Banter between familiar characters, such as between Wolverine and Magneto, Ryu and Akuma or Chris Redfield and Albert Wesker only enhances the nerdy appeal.

Personally, I don’t think this game will have the longevity of Street Fighter IV or even Marvel vs Capcom 2 – but I’m not a comic book fan, and prefer the relatively slower-paced battles of the former. It’s also terribly difficult for veteran players to readjust their brains to accommodate the new, simpler control scheme.

That said, my minor gripes are inconsequential. The game is an incredible amount of fun, especially – like all fighting games – played with other people. With spectator mode missing from the online component, you best bet to squeeze as much fun as possible out of MvC 3 right now is to gather a group of friends together, and battle it out on the couch, as long as you’re not epileptic or prone to seizures – because this chaotic, tumultuous and flashy fighter will put you in hospital.

Scoring:

Gameplay: 8.5

It’s a deep and technical fighter that’ll require a lot of hard work to stay competitive, yet also offers a hitherto unprecedented entry level of competence. It’s easy to pick up and play, but nailing those multi-hundred hit, screen filling combos will take practice.

Design and Presentation: 8.0

The overall visual style of a “living comic book” has been perfectly implemented. The menus feel a little archaic and stifled though

Value: 8.0

Beyond the core game and the “mission mode,” there’s little on offer for those who aren’t fighting game enthusiasts. Still, it’s a terribly addictive polished game that’ll provide hours of entertainment to fans of either stable.


OVERALL: 8.5

It’s a great game, especially taken on its own merits, distanced from Street Fighter Iv and MvC3. It’s crazy, fast, beautiful – and above all very, very fun.

[Reviewed on Xbox 360]

Last Updated: February 18, 2011

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Marvel vs. Capcom 3 : The fate of two worlds
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