"Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite" Review

"Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite" is a fighting game that's full of fan service, but struggles with a blatantly corporate-driven need to hold back. As a result, the subtitle is something of a minsnomer int he distressingly finite offering.

Capcom's tendency to hold back characters and skins in order to prime up copious rereleases and special editions is annoying, and seems to be in effect here. Frustratingly, several favorites from earlier "Marvel vs. Capcom" titles are missing, and are planned to be released later, making loyal gamers cough up even more cash to play them via buying character packs.

No modern fighting game plays things any different, but it's tough to ignore the already filled-out roster available in "Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3," which was remastered and released on modern systems earlier this year. At half price, the bones of the 2011 game hold up well and are still a more exciting alternative to the new game.

The story mode is forced and riddled with ludicrous writing. The art style is inconsistent, looking slick with characters such as Spider-Man but exaggerating odd features of fighters such as Dante and Chris Redfield.

Despite its flaws, I find myself mysteriously more drawn to the new game than its predecessor. Maybe it's the steadier flow of 2-on-2 battles rather than the frenetic wildness of the standard 3-on-3s of the past. Maybe it's the new move sets and specials, and the cataclysmic ways they interact on screen.

Damn you, "Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite," for possibly earning that subtitle after all by convincing me to continue to cough up good money to buy up whatever characters you release via piecemeal IV drip. I am as hooked on the new game as much as I was on the old ones in spite of logic and willpower.

Publisher provided review code.