A Truely Marvelous Game!!! (Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds [PS3, also Xbox 360 & PC])

Let me start out by saying this: I am not a fighting god, I just really like to play fighters. I use to be really good, but then years of RPGs and strategy games softened my skills. I can't even play Street Fighter IV, and I use to be the sh!zzn!ts at SF2 (which is sad because I think I'm going to buy SSFVI for the 3DS . . . because I like to torture myself. And it looks amazing. More on that to come.)

Anyway, back to MvC3:FTW. That's right, if you haven't noticed the initials of the subtitle come out to spell "FTW" (or "for the win" for anyone over 35), and that exactly what this game aimed to do. While it puts up a valiant fight, MvC3 falls just short of obtaining a perfect, hyper combo finish victory.

The graphics are stellar, and all of the character animation are lively, smooth, and entertaining to say the least. My favorites thus far have been Zero from Megaman X fame, Trish and Dante from the Devil May Cry series (seeing as I can never abbreviate that again, lest it get mixed up in this garbage.), and Deadpool from the Marvel stable. Hyper are crisp and clean, lighting up the entire screen before proceeding to their individual animations. I was immediately brought back to the days spent at in middle school buddy's garage, blistering our fingers over MvC2 and Tekken Tag Tournament and chugging Surge. Those were good times. . .

Dante is about to learn the hard way why you don't take a shot at Spiddy. Image from 3anime.com.

Anyway, MvC3 comes from Tatsunoko vs Capcom director/producer Ryota Niitsuma, and the influence of that game's system can clearly be seen in the new control scheme. There are two control options (like in TvC): simple and normal. Simple limits your abilities in battle, but allows for easy combo chains and hyper combos for beginners. Normal mode has changed to a three button scheme with no distinction between high and low its; a character's combos and move set determine high, medium and low hits. There is also an "exchange" button used for starting aerial combos, slamming opponents to the ground, or switching allies mid-combo (depending on your character). Ths new layout is very fluid and easy to learn, but it does require you to pay more attention to character animations to see how each button in a combo effects the area hit.

The character list is pretty robust, featuring returning favorites like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Doctor Doom, Morrigan, Felicia, Akuma and more. A good amount didn't make the cut (the most notable IMO would be Venom, Strider, a good amount of the SF crowd and Cable), but the fresh blood, like Amaterasu, Taskmaster, Dante, Viewtiful Joe, Phoenix and X-23. And the list is still not complete: two characters have already be announced as DLC, with more presumably on the way. Which leads us into the next topic . . .

X-23 goes to town on Chung-Li. Bitches be crazy . . . [Image from G4.com]

Online and multiplayer features! Of course since the game is on the PS3 and Xbox 360, online multiplayer was included and expanded from the version seen on the digital re-release or MvC2. Now, each players online and offline stats are tracked via a player card which can be view by other players before and after matches. The card highlights your strengths and weaknesses, as well an your favorite characters and tendencies. As you play, you can unlock titles and images to customize the card to your liking, and all in all it is a great addition to the game given its focus on online play.

Speaking of, the single player mode is . . . OK. Each character has an individual ending, unlike in MvC2, which is sweet, and gives you something to do offline; offline functions pretty much end here however. Yes, there is a mission mode which trains you on how to use different characters and a practice mode where you can perfect your craft, but there is no time trial mode, there are no alternate game modes or mini-games to unlock. While this is a minor issue for me, since I can play online whenever I want (even if I lose a good amount), I can see how this can be an annoyance to someone without reliable online access.

Oh, Galactus, you are such a cheap b@st@rd. Image from IGN.com

Overall the game is pretty sweet, and you don't have to be a hardcore fighting fan to appreciate and play the game. There are a ton of unlockables, when counting the titles and icons, and some potentially amazing DLC characters down the road (not that I'm in love with the idea of having to buy the other characters in the game) if Capcom decides to support that option. I give it a 8.7/10.

(If you have the means and the time, please help the Red Cross provide relief for those whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. They need basic supplies, such a blankets, cloths, food and water.)