Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Review

As far as sequels go, following a game as universally acclaimed as Marvel vs. Capcom 2 can be a double-edged sword. Yes, you have a ready-made audience all chomping at the bit to get hold of the next installment, but on the flip side you also have the world's expectations resting heavily on your shoulders to not just match, but improve dramatically on what was already a brilliant fighting game. Maybe that is why it has taken Capcom nearly a decade to finally deliver a third in the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise. So, brave soldiers that they are, the developers of some of the greatest beat-em-ups in living history have gone out and done it again, improving on just about every possible aspect of the Marvel vs. Capcom experience. What we have here is not just a worthy successor, but also one of the most polished and simply sublime fighters you're ever likely to come across.

To those who may have missed out on the previous titles in the series, the core concepts behind Marvel vs. Capcom are a little different to your standard beat-em-up. Instead of controlling just one character, here you are in charge of a team of three, a triple-tag team of sorts, and the make up of your team is almost as important a factor for ensuring victory as anything else. Your active character can tag another player to swap out, or can call one in for a quick special move to help out, or the whole team can hook up to pull off one spectacular, screen-obliterating super move. Selecting and utilizing your team members efficiently is the key to success here, and until you work out a team strategy that works, you will spend most of your time just bashing buttons and hoping for the best.

Incidentally, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is one fighting game where going ballistic on your poor gamepad can pay off for beginners, meaning that you don't need a degree in button combination theory to create magnificent explosions of aggression and beauty on-screen. Indeed, even having played the previous game in the series extensively, my first few rounds with this sequel were spent just thrashing away at my controller and staring - mouth hanging open in amazement - at the resulting firework show. Of course, this approach will only get you so far and will leave you bloodied and bewildered at the hands of more experienced opponents, but it does make Marvel vs. Capcom 3 more accessible for those new to the genre than some fighters which take themselves too seriously. As cliched as the 'easy to play, hard to master' mantra is, it's one that fits very well with this game.

While it's easy enough to bash your way through the first few AI controlled opponents, if you have plans to beat the game, or to compete online, you will need to put in some serious game time. It's only with dedication that the intricate details start to become apparent - the method in the madness, so to speak. Because at first glance there really is a lot of madness going on. Just like its predecessor, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is an art form made out of utter chaos. It not only looks wildly unhinged, but to those new to to the series, the gameplay feels that way too. Still, determination pays off, and once you get to grips with the control scheme and have memorized a few handy combos it all starts to feel a lot more structured and precise.

Under all of that chaos is an extremely well balanced fighter with an unbelievable amount of depth which betrays its outward appearance, depth which fight veterans will thrive on and which newbies will strive to understand if they want to win. The foundations for lasting success here is creating a team that suits your play style and then learning each of their moves - combos and specials. The training mode - and more specifically the challenge mode - are your greatest allies when it comes to learning the ins and outs of your chosen characters. Challenge mode gives each fighter a list of moves to pull off, starting with just a basic special, but quickly moving on to complex combos which require the dexterity of a tarantula and the reflexes of a Formula 1 driver. Learning these combinations is of paramount importance if you want to survive against experienced competition.

Balance in MvC 3 is less about individual character balance, and more about creating a team with characters whose move sets and fight styles compliment one another. I tend to lean towards more traditional characters, the Ryu’s and Wolverine’s of the the bunch, but sometimes throwing a hulking monster like the giant Sentinel into the mix can be just what you need to make the ultimate combination. Building a successful three-man team will be a bit random for those new to the game and who don't know the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter, so experimentation is key.

Almost every aspect of this sequel has been cranked up to the maximum, which is why some may find it strange that Capcom decided to trim the fighter roster a little this time around. There are still more characters here than in most beat-em-ups you'll come across though, and Capcom probably realized that gamers ignored quite a few of the more outlandish fighters in the previous title anyway. Instead of overwhelming us with an even bigger selection, Capcom has rather chosen to thin out the number but improve the quality, with the result that this game is carrying far less dead weight. Most of your favourites are here, though, as well as a fair number of oddball fighters, and there are a good few to unlock too.

Since it's been many years since the last Marvel vs. Capcom title - the Xbox LIVE Arcade release of MvC 2 notwithstanding - it is no surprise that this is by far the most dazzling game in the series. In fact, I would go as far as to call this the best looking fighter I've ever clapped my eyes on. Capcom made great strides visually with Street Fighter IV and its Super variant that followed, and that has carried through to this one too. The characters are stunningly created, bright and vibrant, with a distinctive comic book style thanks to the strong black outlines creating an almost cell-shaded look. Think of it as the most stunningly colourful comic book, brought to life by some incredibly fast and smooth animation. It really is quite breathtaking, especially when it comes to the intense sensory overload that comes from the epilepsy-inducing super special moves which fill the screen with gorgeous visual drama. On top of the brilliant character modelling and fluid animation, the stunning backgrounds are lush and detailed and make a big visual impact, although there really should have been more of them.

As polished a product as this may be, I have to be honest and say that longevity may be a concern. It's beautiful to look at and a joy to play, but that can only keep you entertained for so long, especially if you're playing alone. There is a collection aspect to it at least, with extra characters, character art, 3D models, sound effects and environment graphics to unlock. There's also a rudimentary story to the basic single-player mode, ending in a gargantuan boss battle, and each fighter has his or her own ending, but there isn't much variation for the lone gamer. Then again, beat-em-ups have always been more fun when competing with a flesh and blood opponent, and so it is the multiplayer aspects of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 which will stand the test of time. All the excellent balance, technical aspects and nuanced game mechanics which make the single-player game such a pleasure to play are even better when there is that competitive edge. Again, some might argue that there could have been more gameplay modes for the multiplayer component too, but there is no denying that this is pure fighting action distilled to perfection.

Online or offline, there can be no doubt that Capcom has done something wonderful with Marvel vs. Capcom 3. I'll admit that having a love for the characters does help, drawn from the rich histories of both institutions as they are, but even if you're just a casual fan of fighting games in general there is a lot to appreciate here. The overall presentation is top notch, with slick menu screens and a soundtrack which is almost good enough to make you forget the horrific synth-pop that MvC 2 subjected us to. Serious fans may want to invest in a proper arcade stick for this one, since the Xbox 360 gamepad has never been all that good for beat-em-ups - although the upcoming redesigned controller should help with that - but even with the standard controller you are guaranteed to have an absolute blast. The gameplay is tight, the fighting is somehow both frantic and focused, and there is depth here that will delight those who put in the effort to master it. Sheer gaming hedonism in its purest form, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is a feast for your senses and a definite purchase for anyone interested in the genre.

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