Ultimate Marvel VS. Capcom 3 – Is It Worth 40 Bucks?

So Capcom decides to give this game the “Super Street Fighter 4” treatment. By definition its a similar game. They add more characters, more arenas, an online spectator mode (should’ve been in original game) updating/tweaking existing fighters’ HP/moves, tweak the menu interface and update soundtrack for good measure. Another sweet bonus is charging you only 39.99 for it! Should you buy it?

If you have a grudge against Capcom and feel like sending them a message; don’t buy it. But if you missed Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 first version of the game, then you should pick this up and see what you missed. Regardless of your personal grudge or first time hearing about this cross-universal fighting scheme, you should play this game. If you truly call yourself a fan of the Marvel Vs. Capcom franchise, you should give this a spin.

Spoiler alert… let’s make one thing clear: Mega Man is not in this game! When you are done cursing at the screen, please focus on the review.

This is a 3-D fighting game on a 2-D plane. You control a team of three fighters in a one-on-one duel, which you can switch on the fly and perform tag team combos. This is meant to cater the hardcore fighting fan who loves multiple hit combos on the ground and air, also perform ultimate specials on your friends. To truly appreciate the game, you need either online access or play with a friend. Offline mode and CPU can only offer so much to the casual fan. Those MVC3 fans who were waiting for sequel of MVC2 11 years in the making were disappointed with character selection and the simplicity of the game control scheme at the first go around. So they added 12 more, also add the two DLC characters (Shuma and Jill) and Galactus mode to expand the roster to 50 selectable fighters

The gameplay has been unchanged for the most part. You still have the light, medium and heavy attack buttons. Then your partner assist and ultra combo triggers. All character balance issues have been resolved to a point. An example would be the HP lowering of powerful fighters like Akuma and Sentinel. Minor tweaks have been added to each fighter’s moves. An example would be like adding a harpoon gun to Dante’s arsenal of moves or Magneto’s ability to fly. The x-factor returns to hype up your damage, speed and temporary health regeneration (which comes in handy if you are down to your last fighter.) This time you can perform an x-factor trigger in the air.

Offline Mode features the usual arcade, versus, training and mission modes. The arcade mode is a brisk set of duels against the CPU before you face Galactus and his Heralds in an epic duel to save the world. Heralds are metal versions of the evil characters (like Akuma or Dormammu) and you face two of them before you face the world-eater himself. Versus Mode is you against a friend. Training mode allows you to experiment with all characters’ moves, combos, chaining combos between fighters and try to maximize the hyper gauge bar to do ultra combo. Each fighter has individual max moves which you can do at level 3 or save all the way up to level 5 to a cross-over combo with all three fighters at the same time. Finally, mission mode features the subtleties of the fight mechanics a casual gamer may not catch early on. There are 10 missions for each character to execute certain moves, chain combos, cancel moves and finishes.

Online Mode has the improvements that Capcom fans wanted from Super Street Fighter 4: spectator mode! This means in a lobby when two people fight and there are others waiting in line for the next match; they can watch the fight as they wait. The original MVC3 did not have it. There is also ranking and private matches. In order to gain experience points in ranking your class, you must fight random skilled fighters from anywhere in the world. I did experience lot of lag issues if I connect with someone with a poor connection. Also other people tend to cheese with many fighters, which can be super annoying.

My main issue with UMVC3 is the boss battle with Galactus. I thought Gill from Street Fighter 3 and Shao Khan from 2011 Mortal Kombat were amongst the worst and cheesiest bosses I ever faced, the UMVC3 Galactus beats them both! It does not matter if I have very easy or normal or very hard setting, he is a bitch. If his HP is halfway gone OR near dying, he will just spam you with his finger blaster multiple times or just smack you over and over. Blocking does not help much either. He can also just execute his ultimate zillion hit special and kill you. Plus when his health is near zero, you still need to land a few hits before the game declares you the victor! WHY, CAPCOM, WHY??!

There are some curious to downright head-scratching character additions to the roster. Phoenix Wright has to be one of the curious fighters who does not even throw a punch! He throws case files at you and sends his girl Moya to attack. Um, talk about pimping to the maximum! Frank West, Vergil, Nemesis, Ghost Rider, Hawkeye and Strider Hiryu are the best additions to the roster. Especially Frank West because he tosses zombies at you! He fills a cart up full of junk and runs you over! AND he swings a baseball bat for good measure. Vergil is the master swordsman who can teleport anywhere in the map and become more awesome with the Devil Arm! Hawkeye has multiple arrows he can throw at enemies, think of him as the Marvel version of Legolas with unlimited ammo! Ghost Rider busts out the chains and the fire to judge all who stand in his way. However there are head-scratching fighters like Rocket Raccoon and Firebrand. I am not sure I wish to dive into how much I don’t like them. Please try them out and see for yourself.

To make a long story short. Just prepare yourself for a bitch fight with Galactus. Also don’t be shocked if you get stuck in a frenetic combo or two on the way meeting him there. I believe this is a worthy addition to your collection. It is fast paced with a cast of zany fighters from two awesome universes.