I guess the X-Men are calling for backup.....
Overview
After the high praises of X-Men VS Street Fighter, Capcom knew that have something worthwhile to please the nerdy fans of video games and comic book heroes at the same time. In this next installment, X-Men took an early lead and brought over some more mutants from their universe. Now it is Marvel Super Heroes VS Street Fighter as this intense rivalry continues....
Graphics 6/10
So what new things lurk around this latest release for us to see? The answer is pretty much the new characters and only them. You see, if you did not know any better, you think your mind is playing tricks on you and watching a hacked version X-Men VS Street Fighter. What Capcom did was kept almost everything from the last game, colored it over, remove a few things, and add a few things.
We start off with the player selection screen. Immediately, you notice the cool new fighters’ portraits and the outer space movement in the back. Then, we watch the next shot where teams leap up high in a battle versus shot, right before two sparkles calmly explodes in the middle. This is where you will notice everything right off the bat. You are basically fighting in the same backgrounds in X-Men VS Street Fighter. Oh wait, they shaded them in a different color.
"That temple stage is not set in winter, its set in the fall season."
"The mall stage is not quite. Look! There is a crowd watching."
"That large chemical factory is not at sunset, it’s at night!"
Strange choices on Capcom’s part, but at least they were willing to smooth out the background a lot more. Speaking of smoothing, the “new” fighters got clean up as well, so they do not look as outdate then there last fighting appearance. The specials and combos still look flashy as ever and game’s introduction did a good welcoming onscreen. The super screen is basically watching rainbow stripes pasting in rapid fast motion. One thing I thought was cool was the dark blast finish when you win with a super, with the actual text appearing in big letters. Try it with a double team and they will take half and half of the words together. Only in this game can you finish someone with a “Shinkuu Barrage.” Luckily, the fast fighting action helped save the graphics from being a total dud. That and the fact some players’ eyes are more on the fighters then on anything else.
With that said, I was really disappointed with the execution on the graphics. They stayed with the majority of the same stuff and try to pass it off as a new game. Even the new little details could not get me to give a damn. They could have gone forward instead of staying still, if you will. Could they not have change Apocalypse to fight as a regular boss instead of being a giant boss with his arm on the stage, again?
Gameplay/Controls 9/10
Your journey goes like this: You pick a team, you battle opposing teams, you fight Apocalypse, and…nope, so single play this time to end it. No sir, you get the wonderful prize of battling a new boss! As Akuma was a tough S.O.B. by himself, here comes Cyber-Akuma!!! With mach speed, suited-up power attacks, and extremely quick recovery time, he is going to be a big handful of crap to deal with. The one who hits the winning blow with get his or her ending played. Everything is simple up until Cyber-Akuma. Then, you actually have to think fast in your brain and fingers.
Almost everybody in this game gets some modified treatment, for better or for worse. I mean, Omega Red is a freaking maniac with his legendary annoying coil grab attacks. However, there are some problems with some of stuff certain fighters got. Sakura gets to perform massive fireballs that go anywhere, but straight across, so it might be a major turnoff for some Sakura players. Shuma Gorath gains a very pathetic super that make him become two that can be easily countered, but gets a good super attack when doing a double team super. The only person, I think, got the best out of everyone was Dan. He has plenty of comedic specials and supers to make you feel like a walk of shame if you were to die by one move. Death by flying signed autograph or his parody of Akuma’s Raging Demon, anyone?
The way the game plays on control is like its prequel. If you are familiar with the six buttons of Capcom, you do not have to worry one bit. The super jump, hit detection, and air combos all seem okay, in my book. For beginners, you will find out the playing style quite fast, unless you decide to go into easy mode, which to me shows you cannot do squat by yourself and are too lazy to learn the basics. A new plan to strike is the “Teammate Attack.” Pressing both the middle strength buttons calls your teammate out to perform a quick special attack of theirs. This is a useful tool under the right timing, possibly pushing back your opponent, so you can recover or if they are making you block forever.
Be warned, your teammate is as vulnerable as you once they step on the battlefield. I have seen players make wrong choices and end up eating a super or take part in receive an air combo. It is the most embarrassing moment to lose when both of your fighters are knockout in unison.
Sound/Music 9/10
Every "SMACK!", "BLAM!", and "KAPOW", during the fights, get two thumbs up from me. The collisions of bodies getting hit by defending blocks, huge energy beams, bone crushing grabs, and flaming uppercuts are absolutely great. The voice acting is top notch on both sides of the coin. Marvel got right on the dime getting talents to fit the roles of their heroes and villains. You would truly believe that’s how they should sound, even if you were not a big Marvel fan. Capcom, as always, knows what goes with what. I would like to point that Capcom made a wise and incredible choice getting fluent English speaking as the announcer of the game. Not only does he sounds like a legit credible voiceover who should be narrating for old school super heroes cartoons, but he tone makes the atmosphere very interesting and tremendously upbeat. Watch a battle ticking down to ten seconds left on the clock and your skin will feel shivers trying to win as fast as you can, while he built the pressure on you like the ending seconds in a game show’s bonus round.
On the musical aspects, I say it is a step above the last game. The freaks, which have came from the “Marvel Super Heroes” video game, got to keep their exact themes and this time filter to sound clearer and better to hear. The same goes with the Street Fighter cast. I swear Dan’s is getting the good bargain as he has a funny and clever theme to match which him to fit it goofy behavior.
Replay Value 9/10
The roster took a small makeover on the Street Fighter’s side, while Marvel took a massive overhaul. Charlie and Cammy are out in favor of Sakura and Dan. Marvel removes everybody, except Cyclops and Wolverine. I sort of wish they putted in one Marvel woman, but oh well. Hidden inside are several variations of fighters with different colors, different names, and a number of altered moves. Like Shin Sakura, US Agent (a swap of Captain America), and the elusive Shadow (who is really Charlie shaded totally dark).
The two player fights are still a keeper, but playing against the computer is just as fun. There are instances where one member, in a computer controlled team, will act like a bastard, making sure you don’t pass the next round, even with a non-effective sidekick. Apocalypse plays exactly the way you remember him in X-Men VS Street Fighter, with about maybe two new moves to boot. Cyber-Akuma does not have an exact pattern, so this should test your judgment very well.
For longevity, once you play it many times over, you will grow tired of it without players to challenge you. However, I am sure you will find yourself going back to it for a few hours of understanding how fun this game has, despite the enormous flaws.
Overall 8/10
To conclude this review, it has tied with the first game, X-Men VS Street Fighter, for overall score. Many would consider this game a little better or a little below its precursor. When it is all said and done, this release is still a good game. Probably the most underrated part of the series, Marvel Super Heroes VS Street Fighter did not alter much of the outside traits, they put tons of focus on the fighters and that what counts.
- by Boombada
