Maybe I just don't get this game, or understand why it's so awesome, but I gave it a chance yesterday, and I was disappointed with what I experienced. My friend and I, huge MK fans since childhood, went ahead and tried this game(MvC3) out. Now, I thought MvC2 was ok, not amazing, but fun none the less. He on the other hand, thought it was awesome, and really enjoyed the 2nd one. So he was planning on buying it, and had his pre-order held for 2 months, but ended up not getting it yet due to low money. So I rented it, to give it a try.
Here is an unbiased opinion, from someone who enjoyed the game before, as well as someone who really liked it.
We played 5-10 matches, and literally said "This is kinda boring...I gotta be honest, I'd kinda rather play UMK3." So we played a couple more to see if we just hadn't gotten into it or experienced it enough, but we both agreed it just wasn't that great, and we were more excited to play a game from 17 years ago.
Some mutual complaints from the both of us:
-The roster is lackluster when compared to the 2nd one. Not only does it feel limited, it also seems like half the roster is wasted on lesser known or less popular characters on both Capcom's side, and Marvel's. Where's Ken, Guile, Frank West, or Mega Man? Where's Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Iceman, or Venom? Do we really need She Hulk or X-23? Do we really need Morrigan or Felicia? Just seems lame, and we both had a hard time picking our teams, because it just seemed like a sub par selection. If you're gonna do a cross over game, one that people have been waiting for and begging for for over a decade...you would think you would include as many popular characters as possible. Not some C listers just to get their name out there.
-The stage selection is minimal. Sure, they look decent, I especially like the parade one outside the Daily Bugle, but only 9? And not all 9 are that fantastic...hell...1 of the 9 is a gridded training arena. That just seems like a terribly low number to have in a game as big as this.
-Lack of modes. Yes, I know the 2nd only had Arcade and Versus, but I just feel like there should be more. Where's survival or time attack like in SFIV? They at least offer something different to mix things up.
-The gameplay. I know what to expect from this type of game, but I feel as if the quality of the gameplay has decreased from the 2nd one. I could play the 2nd one quite a bit and found it addicting even when I sucked, but this new one just escapes me. I just don't find the addictive nature in it. It seems like a game that relies on the character's popularity and reputation to make it fun, rather than the game itself being that fun. Idk, I am still feeling it out and playing to see if I can find a niche, but as of now i'm just not feeling it.
-DLC. The DLC and the locked content on the disc just pisses me off. This game already feels bare minimum, and to sell stuff that's supposed to already be on the game, for high prices such as $5 a character...is just highway robbery. Capcom is nitorious for this BS, and I think they saw an opporunity to turn this cash cow into an even bigger cash cow...and it's just shit marketing imo.
Overall, if you put out a game, and within the first 30 minutes of playing time the players would rather go and play a game from over a decade ago, there's something wrong. You can chalk it up to me not understanding the game or whatever labels you would like to attach to it, but a successful game is supposed to hook the players in, fans or just casuals. I was a fan, and so was my friend, and we both passed up on it for a game from over a decade and a half ago. He no longer plans to purchase it.
Finally, I must say, I am not hard to please. Anyone who sees me posting on this forum, knows that I generally like almost everything. I am an optimistic guy who finds the good in things. I like most movies I see, like most games I play, and I usually really get addicted to a fun game and can't put it down for hours upon hours. Yet this game had me turned off within the first 30 minutes, and I could care less if I play it again.
So I don't want anyone making it seem like I am just a pessimistic unpleasable person who loves to dislike things etc. I had hopes for this game to be good, but I just can't get into it. I'm not saying the game sucks, I just don't think it's what it was cracked up to be. It damn sure doesn't deliver in what hype was surrounding it, and I don't think there's a person out there that would think this is better than MvC2, or even SFIV.
With all that said, I definitely see MK holding a legit shot at fighting game of the year. I think it has all the potential in the world to make new fans and bring back the old, as well as please the diehard. I guess time will tell, and the results will be there for all to see.
