MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 3
8 out of 10

If it's not broken...don't try to fix it. Capcom, after about 10 years, decided to follow up the wildly popular Marvel vs. Capcom 2 with a sequel, and this was one that was definitely worth the wait. When making a sequel, depending on the length between titles, you can do 1 of 2 things: Re-invent the engine and keep the basic storyline going or Update where necessary and keep what worked intact. MvC3 is the latter, it looks alot like MvC2, but just cleaner, faster and way more awesome. I've been looking forward to this title since I heard it was coming out and certainly, Capcom stays on point with this installment.

The character selection is deep to begin with and allows you to unlock other characters. Easy mode...is just that...pretty easy and allows you to navigate through the arcade mode to get those extras. Normal mode is just about one of the more difficult computer fighting games I've ever played. Now, with your Street Fighters, Mortal Kombats and Tekkens - there's very little strategy involved in a 1 on 1 battle, MvC is 3 on 3, and that takes a little planning. When swearing my way through normal mode, I noticed that very few times - the computer would play one character outright, it would switch out when one got beat up a little bit. It’s a decent strategy when I'm down to one person - and even though some life was drained...the computer had 3 left. I'd almost always lose those battles and thankfully learned how to get through some of the harder levels. Capcom pulled out some great older characters from the early Nintendo days and even updated their video game backgrounds as fighting arenas. For someone who has been gaming as long as I have, it makes me want Capcom to update those games and release them as downloadable soon. One can always dream...

Another step up for MvC3 is the music. Anyone who played MvC2 can remember the music because it was so different that what it should have been. It never really meshed well with the game and was so painstakingly part of the game that you couldn't get away from it. Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is one HELLUVA fighting game and should be part of your library. It's fun, challenging and good for both a quick video game fix and long day of gaming. Don't walk...run now and get it, you will not regret it.