| Tatsunoko VS Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes |
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Eight years later, and
Capcom's successor to the fan-loved Marvel VS series has finally
arrived. It's been quite a long time since I've played a game with such
fast & solid gameplay, overly-flashy graphics, and dramatic
tag team action; besides Marvel VS Capcom 2 of
course (just played that yesterday).
The gameplay is most similar to the earlier of the VS series, like the first Marvel VS Capcom for instance, but now with a "4 button" layout... light, medium, fierce, and 1 button for both assist & tag. It takes some getting used to at first, since "P" and "K" are out the window. A specific directional movement (like your classic fireball motion or dragon punch) plus either a light, medium, or fierce will usually do the same special move; but at a different range, direction, and/or height; and in some cases the move is actually completely different even though the command is the same. The only downside of the new button layout is that basic priority attacks are much more limited now, but thankfully several command attacks for each character are available, and can be initiated by holding forward or back with specific buttons. The alternate priority attacks are usually imperative to playing a character properly, and can extend those combos nicely! Fear not 6-button
lovers... as odd as may sound, it actually ends up working out in the
end and suits the game. Besides the lack of priorities
on a few characters, overall, I don't have any complaints
about the new layout because the game controls are simply rock solid...
when using the right controller of course. Wii-mote controls
on easy
FTW!!! ...you better believe I'm kidding. This isn't some re-hashed
3D remake of an old gameplay system... TvC introduces a
handful
of new elements that were added to the fast paced tag team gameplay that
we remember from the Marvel VS series. Each player selects a team of two
characters with the ability to switch teammates at any time, however, larger
characters such as Gold Lightan and PTX-40A fight on their own without
a partner; making for some epic and diverse battles.
Returning from the VS series are huge (and cancelable) super moves,
double team supers, super jumps, and push blocks. Other tag abilities
like variable assist, variable counterattack, and delayed hyper cancellation
(super move cancels) have also made their long-awaited comback. As you might have expected, TvC
is
very
"combo friendly," featuring an open and flexible combo system; but also
requires skill & ultra precise timing to nail those
lengthier, flashier, and more damaging combos. There are indeed some sick
combo possibilities, and their fun to do I might add. It does seem like new
2D fighting games with "2D graphics" are far & few between these days,
but let me just say that the 3D look of this 2D fighter is no disappointment.
The majority of character models are well done and do plenty of justice
to each character, but aren't the
smoothest 3D models we've seen
since the Wii's graphics do have their limitations. There are some pretty
jagged edges on the characters & backgrounds when you look close,
but sit a few meters away from the TV and you won't even notice them anymore. On
a side note: If you're looking to get the best quality picture, try using Monster
(or other high quality) component cables with your Wii on an HD television...
the colors in particular are possibly the game's best visual feature, along
with the flashy seizure-inducing effects!
The in-game menu
is slick as well as hilarious... Doronjo and her two goons are the
"menu hosts," usually rambling about something (in Japanese) on each menu
selection that most U.S. players won't understand... although it is
rather
easy to get "Arcade Mode" out of "Arrrcaadomodo yo!" There's also a cool
Theater mode where you can view 3D character models, artworks, videos,
and listen to BGM's; all of which you can purchase from the in-game Shop
using points you acquire during gameplay and mini-games! A wide variety of Wii mini games
are also included in the home package, all of which are Wii-mote enabled... so
expect a lot
of shaking, twirling, button mashing, pointing & shooting, and even
math challenges that you and some friends can have some fun with... for
a little while at least.
Like in any fighting game, there are a few imperfections worth mentioning, and if you didn't know; these "nitpicks" come from a fan of the VS series since the beginning (when X-men VS Street Fighter hit the arcades). First off, each character only has only one assist, similar to that of Marvel Super Heroes VS Street Fighter. It's not a terrible flaw since it prevents potential infinites and "cheap" combos, but maybe some assist variations wouldn't have hurt. Once again, the character roster is just a bit smaller than I would have hoped for, but 22 characters in the "first game" of a new series is nothing to complain about. Overall, the characters who made the cut were good choices, and besides the two big lugs; I enjoy using nearly every character in the game! To finish up my nitpicking...
if a final KO occurs by an assist or team attack, I
also would've liked to see the character that performs
the assist (or tag team super) stay on screen & strike a win pose with the lead character
(like in MVC2); but unfortunately they bashfully jump off screen after scoring the winning hit. The sound effects are
satisfying, and the character BGM's are very good for the most part, but
some of which are a bit too "cheery" and midi-sounding for my tastes...
Tekkaman's BGM has to be the worst, but thankfully most soundtracks
in the game are simply a joy to listen to; and will get stuck in your head for
days!!! I noticed nearly all of the Tatsunoko "hero" themes include the name of
the respective character in the chorus... |
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Arcade)
Wii - as TVC:
Ultimate All Stars)
The frantic, fast-paced, and air combo/air dashing friendly gameplay is
one of the most fun fighting game styles I've ever experienced; and
Tatsunoko VS Capcom brings that gameplay style back after 8 years of
waiting, adding upon it with a visual 3D makeover and some innovative new
gameplay features.
.
On that note, some of the characters of TvC seem to somewhat "take
the place" of several favorites from the Marvel VS series, for example:
Saki = Cable + Balance (
), and Doronjo can
use her two assist goons much like Captain Commando used his gang.
I guess I could
just say the overall look and design of this game is simply feng shui. 
The Tatsunoko & Capcom characters mesh incredibly well together, and
some of the fully animated ending sequences are simply epic and/or hilarious
as well (as short as they are). Yes, the endings look much like the games
intro; which looks to be right out of an anime... not bad at all. Flashy
visuals aside, this game has style... and I'm talking about the
gameplay of course!
That enough gameplay elements for ya?!? Rest assured, the 2D fighting
mechanics are as fun as they are deep once you learn the new system (which
might take some time & commitment of course). TvC is yet another awesome
game that proves 2D fighting games are far from dead.
The
Japanese menus are tricky to navigate at first, but by just memorizing
the first "kanji" of every selection will allow you to browse the
menu like a pro in no time. Several things are
thankfully in English
though, including Options and Practice mode! Controller configuration is
another story though. Players will have to memorize some really-hard-to-read
tiny-ass kanji (not too hard, lol). As you'd expect from Capcom, all the essential
game modes are there: Arcade, VS, Survival, Time Attack, Options, and a
solid Practice mode.
Playing the mini-games is also how you unlock the third player character colors!
Nice.
The "shaky/breaking ground effect" that's used during certain super
moves also looks pretty lame (due to the poor texture quality) and takes
away from the action. I suppose they used that screen effect to nullify
animation "slow-down," which probably would have occurred during those epic super moves if
they kept the same 3D backgrounds in place (due to the Wii's graphical
limitations). 
When
you plan on playing a fighting game as much as I do, variant win poses
and such are a nice change of scenery to say the least. However the good news
is, just like in the Marvel VS series, you can still hit start after you
win and beat up on your downed opponent, or just dash around and do as
you please for a few seconds... so I guess that makes up for it since you
can pretty much create your own "win sequence!" Hah. 