Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Classic fighting game glamorizes violence, sexualizes women.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is an over-the-top fighting game featuring provocatively clad female fighters. Gameplay focuses on characters battling one another in a number of different ways and with various attacks, including punches, kicks, guns, throwing knives, explosions, lightning strikes, fireballs, and so forth. There isn't any blood, and the animated characters don't look real, but this game clearly glamorizes violence and depicts women as sex objects. Note, too, that online multiplayer supports open voice chat. Common Sense Media does not recommend non-moderated online communication for pre-teens.

 

  • The sole focus of this game is over-the-top fighting. Plus, players control male characters that punch and kick women (though the women in the game are equally capable fighters). 
  • There is no main protagonist in this game, but rather a wide range of playable characters. The fighters' personalities aren't developed well enough to ascertain whether they're good people, though many players will have a pretty good idea as to whether they're good or evil based on their previous appearances in games, comics, and movies. Regardless, all they do in the game is fight, making all of them poor role models for kids.  
  • The game's controls are scalable. Therefore if you're a novice gamer, you can opt for the streamlined controls for a simplified button layout, while advanced gamers can learn sophisticated moves and combos to tackle opponents.
  • Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is a fighting game, therefore the game revolves around violence -- in this case, between Marvel and Capcom's characters. While there is no blood and environments are over-the-top (including in space), players will engage in hand-to-hand combat, use weapons (swords, pistols and throwing knives) as well as magical attacks (fireballs, lightning strikes, and so on).
  • The game's female fighters are dressed provocatively. Players see a plenty of skin, including (almost) bare buttocks and deep cleavage. One woman's breasts are barely covered by thin strips of material.
  • Some characters use mild language, including "hell," "damn," "ass" and "bitch."
  • This game features not just well-known video game characters but also several popular personalities from the Marvel Comics universe, including Hulk, Iron Man, and Wolverine.

What's it about?

It's been an entire decade since we last saw a new Marvel vs. Capcom fighting game -- 2000's Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes for the Sega Dreamcast -- but the once-popular series is back after a long hiatus in MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 3: FATE OF TWO WORLDS. This fast-paced, colorful brawler includes classic fighters -- such as Hulk, Wolverine, and Iron Man from the Marvel universe and Ryu and Morrigan from Capcom's Street Fighter and Darkstalkers franchises, respectively -- as well as new characters like Resident Evil's Chris Redfield, Thor, and Viewtiful Joe. Some characters have undergone a makeover, such as the uber-muscular Hulk, while others have a more retro look, such as the classic design of Iron Man's shiny red and gold suit. Capcom says they've gone for "living comic book art style" powered by a tweaked version of the advanced graphics engine used for Resident Evil 5.


Is it any good?

 

Whether you're partial to fighting games in general, a fan of this series specifically, or have a soft spot for characters from the Marvel and/or Capcom universes, this reimagined classic brawler will please. It features wild, over-the-top action, mid-air battles, terrific special effects, and multilayered combos designed to inflict as much damage on your opponents as possible. Gamers can also create their dream team of fighters for 3-on-3 tag team duels, which include "assist attacks" where one character helps out another. Online play is smooth and fast, and delivers five different modes from which to choose.

Capcom also spent a lot of time creating depth, offering many dozens of moves for hardcore players to master. Newbies, meanwhile, can use a simplified controls option to help them get into the swing of things. The story is shallow (hey, it's a fighting game) and we noticed some minor balancing issues, but there's very little to complain about in this thrilling fighter. Note: the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game are the same.

Online interaction: Up to eight players can battle it out online and talk freely with one another via an optional headset microphone. That means players can easily share personal information and may be exposed to unsuitable language and subjects of discussion.

 


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how fighting games can help hone a player's reflexes and hand/eye coordination. How might these skills help gamers in the real world?

  • Families can also discuss the depiction of female characters in video games. Fighting games tend to sexualize women. How do you think male players interpret these unrealistic images? How about female players? Can you think of other genres in which women tend to be portrayed in a more lifelike manner?


This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Teen, 15 years old
March 31, 2011
 
great game!
If your one of those fighting game fans this is a game you need to have plus if you really want it you can get it for free personally I think this is one of the best fighting games so far. P.S To get your free stuff sign up here *prizerebel*/videogames.php?r=3174888

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Kid, 13 years old
February 16, 2011
 
I love this game its one of the best fighting games period. While i don't advise young children watch kids will love seeing their favorite heroes like Spider-man, The Incredible hulk, and Captain America, And if you're a hardcore gamer like me you'll love to know you're favorites are here like Okami people, DMC people, and the resident evil franchise favorites. You'll have to be more sour than the grinch not to have a good time in this game.

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Kid, 10 years old
May 22, 2011
 
fun but watch your kids play.
Marvel vs Capcom 3 is fun but watch for some stuff.Like the women are dressed impropriety.In one ending it takes place in a bar etc. So this game is an iffy choice for 13-15.Here is why.the game is not appropriate because the girls are dressed not kid friendly,violence may be intense to some viewers, and some very bad role models like wesker and others.

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Kid, 10 years old
April 6, 2011
 
Good and not bloodly
Great game. This game hard to play,(hit colorful buttons and then you will get it). One person has very little clothes on. No plot but still fun.

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Kid, 9 years old
February 19, 2011
 

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Parent of 14 and 14 year old
February 20, 2011
 
I am Painis Cupcake!
I will eat you! :D

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Kid, 12 years old
February 19, 2011
 
okay game
This game is just okay. These fighter games don't have any story through and I hated that because I like games with a story. This game also uses woman as a sex image. The violence isn't bad. You can hear some swear words but no F bombs. Plenty of online stuff too.

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Teen, 14 years old
April 18, 2011
 
grab your quarters
good classic arcade style fighting game

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Adult
August 18, 2011
 
Marvel vs. Capcom vs Common Sense Media
Obviously, This game isn't for little kids. Yes, Popular superheroes like Spider-Man are present, but ultimately, the choice is up to parents. The women in the game are scantily clad. (Which is also a try to get more adults to purchase the game,) and language is also an issue. I don't like it when my little cousin asks me why Wolverine said the B word. It alienates the fanbase, as well as their younger fans, when Marvel or Capcom (which hasn't been doing anything bad lately, save the cancellation of Mega Man Universe.. those jerks..) creates a kiddy superhero show and then turn around and lets it's characters swear and wear barely any clothing. Other than that, everything else is fine. It's a fighting game, so you know what to expect. IF you're old enough to know right from wrong, then by all means, don't let my review stop you. In fact, I think I may very well play this game too. It looks like fun, and if you're okay with it, then I say go for it. Just be sure to talk with your kids if Iron- Man calls Chun-Li a B****.

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Parent
August 17, 2011
 
female anatomy
a very educational game about the female anatomy

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This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Topics:superheroes
Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Available online?Available online
Genre:Fighting
Developer:Capcom
Release date:February 15, 2011
Price:$59.99
ESRB rating:T for Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence

This review was written by Marc Saltzman

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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