Last year's ultimate crossover gets a handheld makeover.
February 13, 2012
from IGN
No accusations of double dipping this time around, as Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 hits the Vita with a clear conscience as it's the first MvC game on the platform. What you'll find here is pretty much the exact same console game you played last fall, with very few constraints from the Vita's hardware and a new Touch mode that uses the system's touchscreen. While this new addition isn't a great one, this is still great fighter that manages to work extremely well on the platform.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 brings all of the intense 3-on-3 combat that the console version does, and manages to control very well on the platform. Whereas many handheld fighting games feel cramped on constrained on their respective systems, UMvC3 manages to work very well on the Vita. The spacing buttons spacing worked well enough, and the D-Pad was responsive and easy to use. Pulling off Hyper combos was easy, and even after some pretty intensive gameplay sessions, hand cramping didn't set in. You can simplify the face button controls even further, mapping Hyper Combos and special moves to a face button if the traditional controls prove too difficult.
Of course, all of the additions made in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 over its MvC3 predecessor are present and accounted for in the Vita version. The game adds in 10 new characters (five on the Capcom side and five on the Marvel side), as well as key tweaks to the gameplay, including the updates to the aerial exchange system that let you change characters in mid-air during combos (and even steal some of your opponent's hyper meter), a toned-down and balanced X-Factor mode, and Hyper Combos that let you hammer away at the buttons to inflict more damage. Unfortunately, as in the console versions, Shuma-Gorath and Jill Valentine are still DLC-only characters.
All of the intense action of the console version is present and accounted for in the Vita version.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was pretty light on gameplay modes when it released on consoles last year, and the Vita version unfortunately continues this tradition. The selection of modes is extremely light, with only the new Touch mode joining the game's Arcade, Training, and Mission offline modes. Mission mode is still a pretty basic, almost tutorial mode where you learn how to perform a series of special moves and combos for each character, and Training mode is just a chance to hone your skills outside of the arcade mode. It should also be noted that Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will include the on and offline Heroes and Heralds mode from the console iterations; it will be available as day one DLC.
Touch mode simply takes the game's standard arcade-style tier system and adds in a fully touch-controlled interface. While it's a nice way of showing what the Vita can do as a touch device, the mode itself falls flat. Your control your fighters by swiping them in various directions to move them, then tapping your foe to pull off combos. Touch mode really lacks any form of strategy or finesse, and tapping away on your enemies will often yield high-impact aerial combos and juggles -- otherwise, advanced moves that have been simplified down to a mindless screen-tapping affair. Playing through Touch mode is extremely easy, and most gamers should have little trouble completing it by simply tapping away at the screen.
The crazy character roster that the series is known for arrives intact on the Vita.
Through the menu, there is a way to combine the touch inputs with the face buttons to get the best of both worlds. This effectively turns on both the face buttons and touchscreen at the same time. This is handy when it comes to executing X-Factor mode and Hyper Combos, as you simply need to tap the onscreen icon to do the move. However, the simplifying issue with the touchscreen still poses a balance problem here, as you can still tap away on the screen or rear touchpad to pull off complex air combos.
Online, the game features support for ad-hoc and infrastructure, and the game handled itself pretty well over PSN for ranked and non-ranked matches. You can also create and search for matches with touch controls disabled, which is a nice touch for purists.
From a technical standpoint, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a sight to behold on the Vita. The game manages to capture all of the detail, slick moves, and intense battles of the console iterations, and looks simply marvelous on the Vita's sharp screen. The action unfolds at a fast and smooth clip, with little to no bouts of slowdown. If you're looking for a graphical powerhouse to show off your shiny new Vita with, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a prime candidate.
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