Marvel Vs Capcom 3’s run has come to an end. Capcom has released its successor in Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 that hit stores November 11th. Originally scheduled to be a host of downloadable content for Marvel Vs Capcom 3, Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 brings us twelve new characters, eight new stages, the ability to play as Galactus in single player, and a host of rebalancing designs that helps equalize the original characters. Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is being sold at a discounted price, but even then will it be worth your time?
Story and Gameplay:
Many aspects of Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 are exactly the same as the original game. The storyline for the single player campaign is just what it was previously, you select three heroes to battle through various stages in order to fight Galactus and prevent him from making lunch out of the Earth. Most fighting games have a very basic storyline anyway, and this one is no exception.
But a riveting storyline is not why we play fighting games, is it? It’s all about beating the snot out of the other player, whether it’s online or on the couch. The biggest change that Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 has brought to online play is spectator mode. We can finally watch the other games going on as we wait our turn to battle instead of just watching to boxes bounce back and forth. Connection over online seems stable and quick, I never did experience any lag during my bouts. But with the new characters and rebalancing, it gives us more options then just picking Wolverine in order to stay competitive.
Capcom does pay attention to the tournament play styles when it releases a new fighting game, especially one like Marvel Vs Capcom 3, which has had a past in fighting tournaments. Capcom had noticed that a distinctive play style had erupted as the go-to play style in tournaments, that of using quick fighters to pummel the opponent. In order to keep players from having to choose characters like Wolverine, Capcom has buffed the weaker characters by increasing their damage potential, or even giving them moves to counter the faster play style. Characters like Magneto, Spencer, and Storm all received major updates in new moves while tournament favorites such as She-Hulk, Wolverine, and Phoenix have received nerfs in regards to damage output, overall health, or how their moves work.
The biggest draw to Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is the twelve new characters, six for Capcom and six for Marvel. These new characters represent Capcom’s attempt to change up the tournament game play by adding more ranged experts, like Dr. Strange, and more unconventional characters, like Phoenix Wright. The previously mentioned Phoenix Wright, Frank West, Firebrand, Nemesis T-Type, Virgil, and Stryder Hiryu join Capcom while Marvel is joined by Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist, Nova, and Rocket Raccoon. Yes, Marvel gets Rocket Freakin’ Raccoon as a playable character. I love you Capcom, I really do.
I have to be honest, I’ve always been more partial to the Marvel characters in this game, but characters like Phoenix Wright and Frank West are just too fun to play to ignore. Phoenix Wright is probably the most unconventional character I’ve ever played in a fighting game.
In addition to these new characters, we get some new costume changes that are selectable by changing the colors of the character. I love how Capcom can bring alternative costumes in to the game in this mode, and it is always great to see what costumes make an appearance. Gone is the black and white color scheme for Deadpool, but you can now recreate X-Force by selecting his black and gray outfit with Wolverine and X-23. Its fun to cycle through the Marvel characters to see what obscure color variations Capcom has brought to the game, and we will be getting various costume packs via Xbox Live that will give us more options.
Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 finally gives us eight new stages to brawl through. New stages, such as the Shadowland stage featuring Dark Daredevil on a throne, and the Days of Future Past, which features the iconic wall of wanted posters from The Uncanny Xmen #141. All of these new stages fit right in with the previous stages and look absolutely stunning. Like the Shadowland stage, some of the other new stages feature other characters in the background. Its fun to see whom else is hiding in this game.
Aesthetics:
The visuals remain as impressive as they were in Marvel Vs Capcom 3. The game really revels in its comic book roots and the presentation is that much better for it. The colors really pop off of the screen and the alternate outfits that you can choose from makes selecting your team that much more fun. Going for a theme? Try playing as X-Force by selecting Deadpool, Wolverine, and X-23 all in their black and gray outfits. Feel like playing as a version of the Fantastic Four or the Future Federation? Then you can select those outfits for She-Hulk, Ghost Rider, Spider Man or Doctor Doom.
The sound and voice acting remain the same in this version too. Characters interact with the opposite side during the opening and closing voice over work, which adds an added dimension to the game play for me. I love how the characters will acknowledge there past affiliations if they find themselves on opposite teams. Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 does not add anything new in the aesthetics department, but carries over the good work from its predecessor.
Final Thoughts:
Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3, at first, feels like an unnecessary release. With Marvel Vs Capcom 3 only nine months old, why release this update in store and not as downloadable content? Well, Capcom was affected by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and was unable to release this as an update, as previously scheduled. With that in mind, the items that are found in Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3, such as the update to balancing and the new characters, make this version of the game the best out. The new characters are extremely fun to play and interesting to get into, the balancing helps make the game that much more enjoyable, and the new stages brings forth some new appearances of characters that we like to see. If you enjoy playing Marvel Vs Capcom 3, then Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is a must have, as it will be the version that everyone will be playing online now. If you haven’t bought the first version yet, then right now is a great time to get into the Marvel Vs Capcom franchise at a discounted rate.
