Capcom has been a recurring theme for me and my content here at IndieGala. And while Marvel vs Capcom is the latest topic on the list and I think it’s good to reflect on my past Capcom experiences.
The possibility of a Capcom cinematic universe was a great piece to write. And of course, Street Fighter is to this very day one of my guilty pleasures from the ’80s. Not to mention, the hype about the Monster Hunter movies is still strong with me. And last but not least, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was one of the weirdest cinematic experiences ever. At least for me.
However, when I got to the task to write about the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, video game, I just knew that I have to mention Avengers Endgame.
Why? Because there are plenty of great characters that can be found in the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 game and Avengers: Endgame. The most recent Marvel movie, which I coincidentally love.
Marvel vs Capcom combines both worlds, and while Infinite is newer and I might touch on it in another post, for now, I’ll be focusing on one particular Capcom gem. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. A bit older game for sure but fun nonetheless.
Marvel vs Capcom and the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Developed by Capcom in collaboration with Eighting, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a crossover fighting game.
In it, you get to select some of the most iconic Marvel and Capcom characters and customize your team with “Heroes and Heralds” mode. Once you’ve honed your skills, your players from around the world are ready. Ready for what you might ask? To see who is the strongest in the universe.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 features the original 36 characters from Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds and introduces 12 new playable fighters. The six new Marvel Comics characters include Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Hawkeye, Iron Fist, Nova, and Rocket Raccoon.
While the six new Capcom characters start with Firebrand from Gargoyle’s Quest, then progress to Frank West from Dead Rising, Nemesis T-Type from Resident Evil. Moreover, there are Phoenix Wright from Ace Attorney, Strider Hiryu from Strider, and Vergil from Devil May Cry.
So, in a nutshell, you have some of the well-known characters on two opposing sides. Marvel on the one side, and Capcom on the other. Classic.
Marvel vs Capcom: What’s so special about Marvel movies?
There have been plenty of interpretations of the quality (and popularity) of the movies from the Marvel cinematic universe. Why? Because they are very popular and decent in quality, and plenty of other studios have tried to mimic their formula. Case in point their counterparts in DC Comics, but I digress. But what makes them so awesome that they resonate with us? The audience?
Well, Marvel makes us feel like they’re attainable. Let me explain. We see superheroes, gods and super-human creatures in those Marvel movies. But each of them possesses human-like qualities and flaws that makes him/her slightly more relatable. All of them have strengths and weaknesses, they all have doubts, regrets and soft spots. A level of humanity is observed, amid all the saving the day stuff. And there’s the duality of their characters. They’re glorified and adored, but deep down they’re insecure and flawed individuals. Like all of us. I think the reliability to those characters is endearing, given the fact that they save the world from destruction in 99.9 % of the cases.
Yes, you can argue that the movies from MCU have better quality, visual technology and creative freedom attached to them, but that’s one layer of the story. In almost every Marvel movie there’s a great balance of story, character development and visual style that’s synonymous to the company. Sure, their villains may be suffering because of the emphasis on the super-heroes storylines, but that’s a topic for a whole another post.
Which brings me to….
Avengers Endgame
That reliability I mentioned earlier is fairly evident here in Endgame. Just take a look at Thor. He’s now an overweight alcoholic with a huge beer belly. Even Norse gods can let themselves go sometimes? And several of the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 play a significant role here in Avengers Endgame. Doctor Strange and Tony Stark are still a convincing dynamic duo. Hawkeye is on a revenge mission before his final Avengers mission, while Rocket the Raccoon is up to his old shenanigans.
You can’t say that one single character is helping the cause the most. No, everyone is included and you can see their contribution.
Robert Downey JR stood out
But frankly, Endgame is more than a team effort of epic proportions. It’s more of a chance to reverse the past. A chance of achieving a different outcome, and a much happier one of that. However, much like in real life, every battle is not without consequences. Or casualties for that matter.
The fight scenes in Endgame are exceptional of course, but what I loved more were the performances. Most notably from Robert Downey JR. The man stepped it up a notch with his final Marvel movie. You could see the emotional burden that this character had on him. And you can see what Tony Stark means to him. He started the MCU more than a decade earlier, and in some instances carried the films on his shoulders. Endgame was not an exception.
Endgame was his swan song, and he made the most of his last movie.
Marvel vs Capcom: The best of the best
Much like with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Avengers Endgame brought on the best of the best. The best characters for sure. All in one place. Fighting and kicking ass. Nemesis to this day is one of the greatest villains that Capcom has ever created, while Phoenix Wright is one of the weirdest characters period.
I’m glad that there are areas when they can be brought to life. Some do them justice and portray the accordingly, while some do the portrayal differently.
Marvel vs Capcom: Your thoughts
What are your thoughts on the game itself? Did you like it? How about Avengers Endgame? Did you think that it was a decent send-off for one of the best characters ever? Tell us in the comment section. We’d love to know.
