Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Review

How about Capcom vs. Everybody?

Fighters come and fighters go, but one fighter that has been with us forever is the Street Fighter. Over the years, the Street Fighter franchise has spawned a boatload of games (although how they haven't gotten past the number 3 is way beyond me) and has been the benchmark for all 2D fighting games. Ryu and Guile will always be with us, forever throwing fireballs and sonic booms 'til the day we die. Hadoken!

CLICK TO SEE A VIDEO OF GAMEPLAY

The Marvel universe of super heroes has also been a part of young boys' lives for some time now. Spidey and the rest of the gang have also gained a newfound popularity as they have teamed up with Capcom crew. When you combine the success of the Street Fighters with the success of the Marvel universe, you get Marvel vs. Capcom super-uber-hyper-EX-minus-pie squared-fighting goodness!

It's completely amazing how much a classic Capcom fighter can be revamped to create a refreshingly new title. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is an excellent sequel that mixes together timeless gameplay, an ensemble cast and hyper energy.

Right off the bat, you'll notice that Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is not your average fighting game. First of all, there is a tremendous number of characters that you can choose from. From the very beginning of the game, 24 characters are selectable, including Tron Bonne, Doctor Doom, and Cable. An additional 32 characters can also be "bought" in the game's store, bringing the grand total to 56 characters! That's enough fighters to create a small army and take over Belgium! Mwahaha.

Another standout feature is the game's three-person tag team fighting scheme. As your first character enters the fighting arena, two teammates wait in the wings to crush your opponent. The bench never stays warm, though, since the single push of a button will call in either or both teammates to help in the battle. Both teammates can even join your character in an all out, ass-kicking hyper combo. The whole concept of teamwork takes on a new meaning as team combos can reach in excess of one hundred hits! That'll leave a scar.

Even with all the insane action that goes on, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 never misses a beat. The frame rate is super smooth and even with six characters on screen at once, everything runs perfectly. Turbo mode is absolutely insane, but unfortunately turns into a complete button masher.

Also featured in Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is a ton of attack options. Besides the normal attacks that each character can execute, there is also a snap back move (which forces your opponent to change characters), a variable counter (which calls in a partner to perform a counterattack), and a delayed hyper combo (that will toss three consecutive hyper combos against your enemy). The only problem with all these options are that they take a bit more skill to pull off than your average fighter (especially in turbo mode). Plus, they have stupid names.

The graphics have gotten a total face lift. Not only do the characters look smoother than ever in 2D glory, but the backgrounds have been transformed into perfect 2.5D! Now what, pray tell, is 2.5D? It's a 3D-object(s) set alongside a 2D background. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 pulls this off perfectly, creating a 2.5D graphical wonder that is candy for the eyes.

Perhaps the crowning achievement of Marvel vs. Capcom 2's is the game's ability to get around the Dreamcast controller's lack of six buttons. Main attack buttons number only four, consisting of one heavy and light hand and foot technique. No more medium power! The triggers are no longer attacks, but are used to call in your allies. This button setup is the best that I have even seen in a 2D Capcom game and doesn't penalize you at all for not having an arcade style controller.

The biggest problem with this game is the sound. Some of the lamest music that you've ever heard can be found in this fighting game. Words cannot accurately describe exactly how bad the music is. Wait, let me try. Cheesy. Out of place. Irritating. Ah, that does it. There's no fighting energy in it at all. Period. Let's just say that it will "take you for a ride."

Overall, I would have to say this is the best installment of any Street Fighter game in recent memory. It breaks into some new territory with 3-on-3 matches and gains some super replay value with the insane amount of characters to unlock. The game also stays true to the original gameplay concept with quarter and half circle moves galore. While nothing new, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 packs a dragon punch when it comes to action and blows the 2D competition away.