Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Box Art

System: PS3, Xbox 360
Dev: Capcom
Pub: Capcom
Release: February 15, 2011
Players: 1-2 (2-8 Online)
Screen Resolution: 720p-1080p	Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence

Add to that the fact that there are only four unlockable characters, and you've got a game that doesn't give the average gamer much reason to come back. Sister game Tatsunoko vs. Capcom featured plenty of extra modes, content and unlockables, and the fact that it was a Wii-exclusive almost puts Marvel vs. Capcom 3's lack of content to shame. The fact that the roster was also cut by more than twenty is also a bone of contention. I know that the DLC pay model is lucrative, but I really wish that more would have been included with my initial purchase, as I don't know how I'm going to rationalize paying additional money just to get the same amount of characters I would have gotten in Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Screenshot

Still, even though I was disappointed in the lack of overall content, I can't deny that Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has some excellent production values. The game looks great, and even though many fans were a little wary of the game's new visual style before it was released, I think the new visual style fits in well with the new, modern theme that Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is going for. Character models are all detailed, and animations are seamless. Special commendation also has to be given to the stage design, which represents the different universes in great detail. Everything from the quasi-zombies in Resident Evil's Tri-Cell labs to the rainbow bridge to Asgard in Thor's stage is rendered in loving detail, and give an extra bit of credibility to the game among longtime fans.

The sound is also produced well, but hearing the same catchphrases over and over gets old fast. I don't care how much affection you have for Nolan North, hearing Dante tell you about his style over and over and over again grates on your nerves. Each character only has a few lines of dialogue (even in the game's quasi-story Arcade mode), and if you are taking your game online, it's best to mentally prepare yourself to hear the same old cheesy one-liner again and again. The background music isn't as annoyingly repetitive as the voiceover, but you will definitely tire of it soon enough, as it is not all that varied between stages.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is certainly a departure for the MvC series at-large, and if you are not open to change within the franchise, then there is no way that you will enjoy this title. In fact, you'll probably hate it. However, if you can accept that the franchise needed to modernize, and are willing to learn the new battle system, you'll find a game that is accessible, fun to play, and will be a sure-fire crowd pleaser at local gatherings. Just don't expect the experience to last too long. Even though there is a lot to love about Marvel vs. Capcom 3, there just isn't enough content to put it in the same league with the upper echelon of fighting games. And no, potential for future DLC doesn't count.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.6

Graphics
Graphics are highly stylized and look great. Backgrounds represent their universes extremely well.

4.5

Control
Though longtime fans may lament the new control scheme, once you get over the learning curve the battle system feels very intuitive.

3.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Background music and voice-over snippets are very repetitive, and I can't help but wish they gave more than 4-5 catchphrases for each character.

3.8

Play Value
The arcade mode is very short, and the lack of substantial unlockables makes this one a bit of a bummer in terms of play value. Still, you'll at least have fun both online and offline with the new battle system.

4.2

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Innovative graphics and gameplay bring the Marvel and Capcom Universes to life: Powered by an advanced version of MT Framework, the engine used in Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2, now comes to Marvel vs. Capcom 3, bringing beautiful backgrounds and character animations to the forefront.

Evolved VS. Fighting System: Wild over-the-top gameplay complete with signature aerial combos, hyper combos and other original systems. The evolved battle system takes the exciting mind-reading game to a whole new level!

3-on-3 Tag Team Fighting: Players build their own perfect team and use Assist Attacks and each character's special moves to create their own unique fighting style.

Living Comic Book Art Style: See the most adored characters from the Capcom and Marvel universes brought to life in a "moving comic" style, blurring the boundaries between 2D and 3D graphics.