One of the first glaring changes is the new button layout. Gone is the old configuration of the two lights/two heavys/two assists setup in favor of a new design. The new configuration default at Capcom’s booth features a button layout as follows: light attack, medium attack, strong attack on the top row; launch (to begin air combos), assist, assist on the bottom. A dedicated launch button at first seemed a bit much, as it was executed just as easy with a direction and a button in the previous installment. After spending a few rounds with this configuration it began to feel a little more natural. Also of note, you now tag in your other characters by holding back and pressing the corresponding assist button.
One of the most refreshing revelations about MvC3 is how well the game flows. While maintaining a relatively nice amount of fluidity, the basic chain combo system is kept intact. Capcom appears to be keeping many other original gameplay features intact such as air combos, advancing guard, and supers. You can still select your assist type at the character select screen, execute supers with multiple characters, and you still have no idea why Wolverine is fighting Ryu, but it certainly works nicely.
The gameplay feels a little more deliberately designed (i.e. not broken) this time around. A finely tuned, incredibly deliberate design should go a long way in maintaining balance between characters, something that was obviously lacking on the last go-around. If you remember, Marvel vs Capcom 2 felt like an amazing chain reaction gone perfectly right in terms of game design. MvC3, on the contrary, feels more guided in design, with each move having an exact purpose in mind. If you compare MvC2 to evolution guided by accidental genetic mutations, Marvel vs Capcom 3 is intelligent design.
The current lineup is only ten deep (of a possible 30+): Ryu, Wolverine, the Hulk (who looked a little clunky, but his design is unfinished), Chris Redman, Dante, Iron Man, Captain America, Deadpool, Morrigan, and Felicia. Capcom couldn’t promise any original characters (sorry, Amingo fans) and even mentioned that not all of the characters have been chosen, but they do plan to announce the remaining characters on a staggered basis as its release draws nearer. I am sorry to report that I was unable to uncover anything about Sabertooth or Cable.
The background stages look stylish and feature several nods to Capcom and Marvel lore (such as a Viewtiful Joe banner, a servbot gathering, and the Daily Bugle building). The character designs looks great in motion, and we can expect a lot of tweaking in the future.
At this point, there’s nothing here but a whole ton of promise, and Marvel vs Capcom 3 may just live up to it. The fate of these two worlds won’t fully be determined until the fighting game community gets its hands around this one.
