Looking Back: My Favorite Game of 2011

LVLs., in its earlier Wildcat Online days, ran a traditional awards show (i.e. post) for a couple of years where I awarded games I liked a recolored sprite of NES Link cleverly dubbed “The Golden Links”.  I’ve thrown that idea aside for several years, but this year I actually had a chance to purchase more than a couple games that are current enough for me to postulate my feelings toward them and actually have it be relevant, so I’m bringing the concept back.  However, the “Golden Link” is going to stay a part of the past.  Instead, I’m revising my Looking Back articles to be much more than they have been. Beyond the life ruminations, the shortlist and anecdotes about my favorite game, I’m also going to award some other aspects of games, like Best New Hero/Villain, Best Voice Acting, Best Box Art, and a few others.  It’ll make it more personal and appropriate for the Game of the Year festivities that frequent the ‘net this time of year, and more fun for me to ponder (and I will get back to revising all the older pieces with this material in time).  Note that this is incredibly spoiler-tastic, so I’d advise not reading if you don’t want anything about Skyrim, Dead Space 2, Monster Tale, Portal 2 or Zelda: Skyward Sword ruined. Click on if you don’t care!

Stripping Away Silence – The Promised ULTIMATE Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Rant

You know, I’m a pretty easy-going guy.  Hell, I suppose for that a game I love, putting out money for it three times is okay.  I did for you once, Capcom, for Resident Evil 4.  Gamecube version, played the hell out of it.  PS2 version, felt it was merely so-so and sold it.  Bought it to play the Ada part…which, luckily for me, the Wii version has, and I happily still own it and consider it definitive.  With the HD port on the horizon, I’ve managed to convince myself to not make a fourth plunge, because I’ve already paid for it enough times and the Wii controls feel perfect to me…and HD graphics do not sell me games.  Disclaimer -  I did buy Beyond Good & Evil HD, but that was more to support it and its eventual sequel seeing the light over having a HD version of a game I already own.  RE4 did just fine in sales the first three times – BG&E did not at all (well, I don’t have the HD sales numbers in front of me, but I’m sure they didn’t reach RE4 levels of success).

However, Capcom, I do have to say that your behavior this week has been terrible.  For starters, you kill off Mega Man Legends 3 before the fans even have a chance to pay for a damned demo, which was a pretty lousy thing to do, but I do realize you’re a business and perhaps the 3DS is lagging more than expected, so it does make sense to cancel a project that may not succeed.  Unfortunately, you turned MML3 into a fan-supported affair, which made them much more personally invested into its creation, and did not give them a chance to see for themselves what they were a part of in game form.  I know gamers who bought 3DS’s to play the demo, not just buy the finished game.  I think a lot of gamers cynical of your transition into more western-style games and the DLC/DRM focus with your products considered MML3 a last bastion of hope…a fleeting reminder of the Capcom they once knew.  And with a simple late-shift post about a cancellation, dreams were shattered and bridges were burned.  By letting gamers CARE about a game prior to allowing it to either silently die or be greenlit into a full-on game, you probably bit yourself in the ass.

But the best part is about to come.  Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 came out in February 2011.  Following its release the on-disc DLC (save a few moves for both Jill and Shuma), a sole costume pack and a middling Shadow and Event DLC stream that petered out signaled something was brewing.  E3 came and went without a peep about the game, which seemed strange.  And then, today, at Comic-Con, you unveil a whole new game in the series, with a ton of new content that apparently can not be DLC.  You do this in July 2011.  FIVE MONTHS after you released the original game.  Not even Resident Evil 4′s PS2 rev came out of the gates that fast.  So now all of the people who bought the first game feel stupid, wondering why they even did such a thing, when you’ve been programming its successor (and the game you should have originally released!) since you shoved the original out the door?  What a slap in the face.  And what really sucks is that I have some excitement about it.  I want to have Strider in the game.  I admit to smiling on seeing him return.  Firebrand is awesome looking, too, and using the Gargoyle’s Quest/Demon’s Crest name?  Nice retro tip, there.  But there’s the principle of just getting screwed over that is overpowering the coolness of the additions to the cast.

I did admit to buying RE4 three times above, so why is this bothering me so much?  Well, as I said, I loved RE4, and the PS2 rev I got cheaply to try to play the Separate Ways addition (didn’t get that far, as the graphical drop/glitch increase made the game unplayable for me), and the Wii one I received as a Christmas gift (so I didn’t really buy it :p ).  But I LOVE RE4.  It’s my third favorite game.  It’s the game Grace and I bonded with during our dating phase of our relationship.  And it’s a damn good game.  Marvel Vs. Capcom has been a favorite franchise of mine, but it’s no RE4.  None of them are even in my favorite game list.  I just like competing against the CPU and friends, and keeping my fighting skills from rusting.  I have a lot of good memories with the series.  That being said, this “sequel” is so quick in making its debut I feel that it should have been the original release.  It’s clear that Capcom intended this to happen by the sheer speed they announced it.  Five months gave Capcom time to develop more characters and stages, and to, I suppose, test the waters to see if they could pull off such a stunt.  And they feel that they can.  While nowhere near as fast, they have rehashed Street Fighter IV three times in the last four years.  It’s unsurprising…but disappointing that they’ve pulled off one hell of a trolling on their fanbase in the last three days with this and the aborting of Mega Man Legends 3.

I, for one, will not be riding the ULTIMATE train…at least, not the way Capcom wants me too.  I like MvC3 quite a bit, but I refuse to shell out another $40 to them to get the game I believe I should have received the first time.  If it only takes another ten months to add 12 characters, 8 stages, new modes and improve the online experience, they should have skipped the February release and just aimed for November.  To that end, I will likely pick up the game down the road used or trade someone for it.  I just can’t justify spending money on this game twice to a publisher this determined to piss on their fanbase.  This is not worth $112.50 to me (I got the DLC at a reduced rate thanks to a gift card).  I’m debating if the initial $62.50 is now.  That’s not quite the reaction you wanted, I’m sure, Capcom, but that’s what you’ve gotten.

E3 2011 – My Wants for This Year’s Show

Alas, while I am out braving the heat exploring Chaco Canyon and/or relishing the sights of Mesa Verde, E3 will be rollicking onward without me.  First year I’ve missed it, too.  Oh well!  Despite my vacationing, I do have some hopes that I will share with you now, and if even one of them pans out, I’ll be very happy.

1) UBI Soft at the very least mentions Beyond Good & Evil 2 at the conference

Just one slip of the five words muttered once (as long as “is canceled” or some other synonym does not follow it) would make me so thrilled.  It really would.  Of course, I’d take anything more than that, too.

2) The Last Story is coming to the US

I would be beyond appreciative if Nintendo of America or some other third party were smart enough to bring this to the US.  I would be gravely disappointed (and potentially angry enough to boycott Nintendo for a while) if they don’t say a word about it and the game’s never localized.  I’m that damn serious about this game needing to be in my hands.

3) Xenoblade Chronicles is coming to the US

The odds are looking good for this one, thanks to some voice actor tweets stating it’s coming stateside, but until Nintendo officially reveals it themselves, I’m remaining wary.

4) More Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Characters please!

Jill and Shuma-Gorath were nice additions, but I certainly expected at least an announcement of more fighters by now.  And by looking for more fighters, I’m not suggesting a “Super” version of the game, as that would be most annoying.

5) Last Window is coming to the US

This would be the ideal send-off for the DS for me – Kyle Hyde and CiNG’s final moments.  I can’t say I’m anticipating Nintendo to actually do such a thing, but it’s a bit of a long shot dream I have.

6) More killer apps for the 3DS

Have to admit, not much save Super Mario 3DS, Kid Icarus Uprising and Paper Mario 3DS have really intrigued me all that much, making my urge to impulsively buy a 3DS unlikely.  To be honest, I’m more curious to see what third parties are bringing to the table.  Not to hate on Nintendo too much, as I do love them, but they haven’t really convinced me thus far on the handheld.  A new Metroid may do it, as would a new Smash Bros. (which may make its appearance at the show somehow…crazy hunch), as would other surprises.  Just give me more incentive, Nintendo!

7) That Project Cafe thing better be stunning!

Nintendo’s mentioned that their Wii successor will make its debut at E3, which is great, and I hope I get my socks knocked off by its awesomeness.  I don’t have much else to say, really.

8) Zelda: Skyward Sword closes out the Wii in style…not begin the lifecycle of the next console

I’m a little frightened Nintendo may pull a second Twilight Princess and revamp Skyward Sword to be compatible with their next console and whatever it does, which I think harmed Twilight Princess a little in the fine polish department.  I say start a new Zelda for your new hardware and let Skyward Sword be a perfect endcap to Nintendo’s own output for the Wii.

9) Can the crappy casual conundrum!

This is E3, publishers!  This is not the ideal audience to try to wow with your breathing simulators, exercise gimmicks and laser tag shenanigans.  Save that for some other show.  Stun the hardcore gamers who pay attention to this event with games.  REAL games made FOR gamers.

I hope at least a few of these are a reality upon my return!

Impressions: Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 (PS3)

Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 (PS3)
Pub/Dev: Capcom
ESRB: T/Players: 1 – 2

I’ve been putting up news and art for this game for nearly a year now – now that I have the game in my hands, was it worth all that salvating?

I would have to say that yes, it is…with a couple of caveats.

Let’s get the negativity out of the way first.  I’m having issues with the new control scheme.  It’s an evolution from Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom’s, with some nice improvements (the tagging is much improved, and unlike Baroque, I do plan on using the air-combo tagging feature and X-Factor as I become more proficient with them), but the change of making a launch its own button is throwing me off big time.  I’m getting used to it, but it’s taking a lot of time and some rewiring of my reflexes to come to terms with the Special button.  The mapping of some special moves to it is also confusing me some.  This complaint I can slowly erode due to practice, but it has been a bit of a bother so far.  Secondly, and thank God for the option to switch the voices of Capcom’s cast, as there seems to be a lopsided bias towards annoyance from their side of things.  Marvel’s aces for the most part (save Dormammu’s OOOOOOHHHH whenever he does his Black Hole move, Taskmaster’s “YOU’RE IN FOR A WORLD OF HURT!” every time he does his Arrow Super, and, really, God bless Deadpool, because he is a great character, but his quips do grow tiresome), but there’s some oddities to be had for Capcom’s characters.  Trish is the biggest offender – she sounds bored and her delivery is very much from the “Here, read the lines from this sheet, understudy!” school of drama desperation.  Felicia, Tron, Hsien-Ko, Chun-Li (sorry, Laura – you’re great as Tohru in Fruits Basket, but hearing that voice as Chunny is just freaky), and Akuma all irritated me, so off to the much more tolerable Japanese they went.  Chris is borderline, but it’s not the actor so much as the repetition in his case…which is a potential thorn in any fighter.  And Morrigan…she’s got a great voice, but occasionally the delivery slips and I am a little repulsed I’m keeping her on English.  I could ramble on and on here, but I think my point is stated.  There are some standouts – Wesker is a badass, as he should be, and I think Johnny Yong Bosch nails Zero’s personality perfectly.  Hell, even Dante, whose voice actor Reuben Langdon got my panties all bunched up in Devil May Cry 3, is more than tolerable this go-around.  Mysterious.

That’s about it, though, in terms of griping.  The chaos of the Vs. series is in full swing here, and it’s become easier than ever to string together awesome combos.  Both sides of the roster are full of intriguing characters that I’ve found ones I like to use, and despite a couple of nit-picky “why is so-and-so here over who I really wanted?” mumblings, Marvel and Capcom both did a good job on mixing up the possibilities and bringing back some classics to join the mostly-new fighters.  I’m team-experimenting right now, but I’ve discovered a few characters I love playing as – Spenser is a riot, and I’ve been maining him most of the time.  Chun-Li is also great, and I’ve rounded my primary team with Zero.  I dabbled with the online modes, and since I’m an online gaming virgin, the lack of spectator modes and whatnot is irreverent to me (I’ll come back to characters in a moment).  I’ve done 9 ranked fights and had a marvelous time competing, no matter if I won or lost.  I don’t intend on chatting, so I’ve disabled that feature and am hoping my rivals haven’t been cussing me out for no real reason. :p  I need a lot more training, but I won a bit, so I’m content so far.  Sorry about that tangent – returning to characters, I also have enjoyed Wesker’s play style, although he’s hard to come to grips with as he’s fairly technical.  Amaterasu is also fun, but again, quite technical.  Deadpool, Super-Skrull and Magneto have been grand fun for Marvel’s side, and I’ve also liked X-23′s blistering speed and Dr. Doom’s myriad of projectile options.

I’ll leave off with some personal thoughts – I’m having a fun time with the game, and I’m happy with my purchase.  The online mode really excited me (my heart was racing!), I’m finding characters that I’m enjoying discovering, and the gameplay, while different enough to cause me some headaches, manages to keep my interest and I’m wanting to play this more to understand it.  I’ll expand upon these words once I get further into getting the new elements ingrained into my head and get better at it.

MvC3 DLC – Jill Valentine and Shuma-Gorath Trailers!

Both of these fighters will pop up next week for $5 each, I believe.

Both look like solid additions to the cast, although I do sort of miss Zombie-summoning Jill from MvC2.  *shrugs*

Well, wait – new Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Artwork!

This is worth a brief shattering of vacation time:

This great piece is by Miho Mori, who did some art for Ghost Trick.  Capcom-unity has an interview with her here. I’ll get this into the Imagery, and then back to my break!

TEi Reviews: Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Two days late…but here it is! My review of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds.

(I take solace in the fact that the delay is not my fault. With family wasting three hours of my time and just the right amount of technical issues kept me from a prompt release. But here it is nonetheless, and I hope you enjoy.)

Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Imagery Update/Bengus Interview/Marketing Interview News Ahoy!

Capcom asked another former employee of theirs, the legendary Bengus (CRMK), to aid them in their promotional materials for Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, and here’s his piece (which is up in the Imagery as well, and is MUCH larger than this – click to enlarge).  Capcom-unity did a quick interview with Bengus here.  They also put up a link to an interview with their marketing manager and its specialist for MvC3.

I’ll be getting the game tomorrow – whoop!  Look forward to impressions!

Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Wallpapers

Three of them, too!

Click to download full size!

Click to download full size!

Click to download full size!

Akuma Wallpaper

Click to see a larger view!