Hands-on: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (XBLA)
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Although PlayStation 3 owners are currently enjoying an exclusive demo for the upcoming digital release, Microsoft was showing off Marvel vs. Capcom 2 behind closed doors at this year's E3 Expo to promote the upcoming Summer of Arcade lineup.
If you've played Marvel vs. Capcom 2 in the past, you'll know what to expect. However, in our opinion, the game loses a lot of what made the original fun by hitting the XBLA service completely unlocked. Meaning, all 56 characters are available to players as soon as they click 'Purchase Full Version.' Part of the charm of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was collecting points to purchase the insane number of unlockable items -- ranging from costumes to characters themselves. Sadly, from what we've played of the XBLA/PSN revamp ... Marvel vs. Capcom 2 has lost a lot of its charm.
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Our demo of the game was the full version and after a few sessions, using various characters, we walked away satisfied. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 can really go either way. Some players love the game's intense speed and action while others knock it for being too basic in comparison to more technical fighting titles (which is especially true in this generation).
It's difficult to give realistic impressions for a game that puts most of its weight on being an online experience, when the game is not demoed online. Capcom says the game uses net code from Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (which has minimal issues), but we cannot comment on the game's online performance -- and we're wary of how it will perform online because of the game's speed. Make no mistake, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is an online game. With everything unlocked from the start, online fighting game fanatics are the only group that should look into purchasing the game.
As we've covered in the past, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 ships with three graphical filters: Classic, Smooth and Crisp. Regardless of our selection the game ran smoothly and as fast as we remembered; however, classic looked extremely rough on the televisions used to promote the game at the booth.
It may not carry the same kick as it once did, but online fighting game fans may want to take notice when Marvel vs. Capcom 2 drops this summer.
