February 14 - February 18

Section: 

I'm not properly equipped genetically to enjoy fighting games, much as I am not properly equipped genetically to enjoy the actual art of fighting itself. In both cases the result is a whole lot of impotent rage, some animalistic vocalization, and finally shameful, shameful tears. So, you will forgive my relative lack of enthusiasm for our game of the week, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, but the initial impressions from across the web are impossible to ignore. If you like fighting games, you will apparently quite like this one.

The thing I do like about the fighting game genre is that they aren't trying to artificially change the games simply to accommodate what is possible with modern consoles. They are using technology to really define the artwork, and as a result build games that -- admittedly from the outside looking in -- seem linked almost physically with games a decade or more older while at the same time fully employing art in high definition. In many ways, I feel like fighting game markers and fans are some of the most in-touch "purists" in video gaming these days, finding ways to advance without losing the soul of their passion.

Of course, I don't play a lot of these games, so it could all be my imagination.

Also this week, Tactics Ogre comes to the PSP and the DS sees the launch of Dragon Quest VI. A very niche-y week, to be sure, but for some of you I suspect a very exciting one as well.

Xbox 360
- Dance Paradise
- Gears of War Triple Pack
- Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

PS3
- Hyperdimension Neptunia
- Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two World

Wii
- Pirate Blast

DS
- Chronicles of Mystery: The Secret Tree of Life
- Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

PSP
- Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

Comments

Tactics Ogre will be at my door when I get home. So stoked.

Nothing for me this week. Next week though, next week will be a challenge.

I'm not properly equipped genetically to enjoy fighting games, much as I am not properly equipped genetically to enjoy the actual art of fighting itself. In both cases the result is a whole lot of impotent rage, some animalistic vocalization, and finally shameful, shameful tears.

That's almost me in a nutshell. Last fighting game I tried was DOA 4 on my shiny new 360. I couldn't even get through the 'campaign' against the AI.

I do have a lot of respect for the games, but they're just not for me. If possible I may make an exception for Mortal Kombat though. Just because it's MK.

The first two MvsC were awesome, (takes me back to the Student Union on my old college campus.) The third one though....not sure about now, maybe when the price drops to 29.99

Also this week, Tactics Ogre comes to the PSP and the DS sees the launch of Dragon Quest VI. A very niche-y week, to be sure, but for some of you I suspect a very exciting one as well.
Dragon Quest VI sold 3.2 million copies in Japan, becoming the best selling game of 1995. The DS version sold an additional one million copies by March 2010.

Only 4+ million copies, niche-y indeed

I want MvC3, but if I get it I'm going to need to get a fight stick as well. I'm not ready to drop $100 on a game and a stick, so looks like I will have to wait. Luckily I have friends who are way to into fighting games, so they will still be playing in a year when the price drops.

wanderingtaoist wrote:
Also this week, Tactics Ogre comes to the PSP and the DS sees the launch of Dragon Quest VI. A very niche-y week, to be sure, but for some of you I suspect a very exciting one as well.
Dragon Quest VI sold 3.2 million copies in Japan, becoming the best selling game of 1995. The DS version sold an additional one million copies by March 2010.

Only 4+ million copies, niche-y indeed :)

...for the English-speaking world, at least!

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has been a hard game to resist because the advertising is so charming and the characters so over-the-top. But I know that the actual gameplay will probably leave me cold.

This week is definitely about "Tactics Ogre" for me.

Dragon Quest and Tactics Ogre! SQUEEEE!

DSGamer wrote:

This week is definitely about "Tactics Ogre" for me.

Almost makes me regret getting rid of my PSP...almost.

Fighting games were lost in a quagmire for a while, which I couldn't understand because back in the late PS2 era, Street Fighter was trying to go all 3D and whoring itself for essentially a buck and half and going nowhere with it. Back then, fighting was Tekken and Virtua Fighter and that was pretty much it.

Street Fighter brought 2D fighting back with SF4, while the really niche Guilty Gear has lately gone over and reinvented itself into the awesome BlazBlue. MvC3 brings back the good old days of pure fighting for fighting. We won't have any of this gimmicky crap, please. Use better hardware for better graphics, but keep the soul of the game pure and unsullied.

I have always loved fighting games, so this week is exciting for me. I've tasted a little bit of MvC with Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, and by impression, it seems that this is a noteworthy (but not superior) game in the same vein with all-new characters. Yes, Capcom, you will have my money.

LarryC wrote:

Fighting games were lost in a quagmire for a while, which I couldn't understand because back in the late PS2 era, Street Fighter was trying to go all 3D and whoring itself for essentially a buck and half and going nowhere with it. Back then, fighting was Soul Calibur II, plus a couple other franchises that you needed a PhD in precision geekery to play.

FTFY. (-:

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is one of those fighting games where I read the instruction manual and raise an eyebrow. "Whatever happened to light punch, medium punch and hard punch, followed by kicks?" Now it's three attacks plus a special attack that launches people into the air, and as you read there's all this stuff about combos, counter-combos, counter-assists, counter-throws and all I can think is six buttons for six attacks was somehow more simple than four buttons for four attacks.

At least most of the moves follow the same pattern.

Nonetheless, now that I am not at College and am not surrounded by people that eat, breath and live this stuff but friends that just like to casually play these sorts of games, I went and sacrificed the money. It's fun, but I'm still a button masher.

In truth, I feel fighting games like Soul Calibur are more my speed since they rely on a completely different style of strategy. Otherwise, Dead or Alive is fantastic for a button masher. Sure, pulling off counter-attacks is a Female Doggo, but at least that's the only thing I have to master in order to be a truly good player.

hbi2k wrote:
LarryC wrote:

Fighting games were lost in a quagmire for a while, which I couldn't understand because back in the late PS2 era, Street Fighter was trying to go all 3D and whoring itself for essentially a buck and half and going nowhere with it. Back then, fighting was Soul Calibur II, plus a couple other franchises that you needed a PhD in precision geekery to play.

FTFY. (-:

Ah, good times.

Soul Calibur was great, but it was a little too button-mashy for there to be true one-upmanship. Back in the day, I'd practice Xiayou's unofficial combo systems and the various wave steps to "beat" someone in the dorm who'd just recently figured out a way to beat me.

Actually got second in a prize competition, too. That is, I can completely understand how someone might view these games as requiring PhDs in precision geekery.

BlazBlue and MvC, though; there are relevant gameplay tactics there regardless of skill level.