Info about ULTIMATE MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 3:

Official game description:
Marvel and Capcom join forces to deliver the most frenetic 3 vs. 3 tag battles ever with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. This release comes fully loaded, including all previous DLC, and the Marvel vs. Capcom: Official Complete Works. Select some of the most iconic Marvel and Capcom characters, and customize your team with "Heroes and Heralds" mode. Once you've honed your skills, hop online and go head-to-head against players from around the world to see who is the strongest in the universe.

Release date: Mar 6, 2017

Categories: Team-based Combat, Character-based Combat, Competitive Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer, Mod Support, Crossover Content

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 30; verdict: Minor Tweaks Required; summary: The game generally works on Linux with Proton, but there are isolated reports of crashes (Arch Linux) and persistent issues across Proton versions. Most users achieve playability with default Proton or Proton-GE, placing the experience in the 'Minor Tweaks' category.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Broken; summary: The game exhibits significant stability issues on Steam Deck, with reports of failing to launch after the first boot and crashes across multiple Proton versions. Controller mapping problems add further friction. While some users achieve a working state with Proton-GE, the overall experience is unreliable and requires tinkering, placing it in the 'Broken' category.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews explicitly state that the game is worth its full price but strongly recommend purchasing it at a discount. This suggests the community considers the sale price (typically 50-75% off for older fighting games) as the fair value. Given that the game has a low active playerbase and is often discounted, the fair base-game price range likely falls between the typical sale price ($10-15) and the current base price (estimated $20-30). The upper bound is supported by reviews calling it 'worth the price' at full price, while the lower bound reflects consistent advice to 'get it on sale.' No review indicates the full price is unfair, but the overwhelming preference for sale purchases points to $10-$25 as a reasonable community-perceived range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 100.0h
  - Reasoning: The game has no campaign mode, so story/campaign completion is null. Game completion is not clearly defined for a fighting game; arcade mode can be completed in a few hours but no typical total finish time is reported. Session length is not explicitly stated as typical; individual sessions vary. Endgame hours are supported by multiple reviews reporting 80-100+ hours of playtime, primarily in training mode and online, which constitute the post-arcade content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 delivers immediate fun in local multiplayer with friends, but for solo or online play, it requires a few hours of training to overcome the steep learning curve and frustrating netcode before the game becomes enjoyable.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After learning basic combos and mechanics in training mode
  - Time to anchor: 3h 0m
  - Friction: high learning curve; steep learning curve; poor netcode (no rollback); dead multiplayer / long matchmaking; unbalanced characters; touch of death combos (high damage, no chance to fight back)
  - Unlock drivers: training mode practice; learning combos and mechanics; playing locally with friends; getting used to character movesets
  - Conditions: playing locally with friends; playing with friends on Discord; goofing around with friends; playing arcade mode; engaging with single-player content
- Player Archetypes:
  - Competitive Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastery and competitive improvement within a deep, high-skill-ceiling fighting game.
    - Playstyle: Labs extensively in training mode, studies frame data and complex inputs, plays online with the hardcore community via Discord/Parsec, and focuses on optimization and competition despite the broken meta.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: fighting game enthusiast; competitive player; hardcore fan
    - Reference games: Street Fighter; Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite; Dragon Ball FighterZ
  - Casual Spectacle Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Instant fun, spectacle, and the joy of chaotic Marvel vs. Capcom action without the pressure of high-level play.
    - Playstyle: Button mashes, plays locally with friends, enjoys arcade and single-player modes, and picks up the game on sale for casual fun without deep competitive commitment.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual player; Marvel/Capcom fan; button masher
    - Reference games: Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite; Super Smash Bros. (casual play)
  - Nostalgic Fan (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and reliving childhood experiences with the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise.
    - Playstyle: Plays primarily offline or via Parsec with friends, revisits arcade and mission modes, and values the game as a cherished memory rather than a current competitive title.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: old-school player; franchise fan; nostalgic gamer
    - Reference games: Marvel vs. Capcom 2; Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (original)


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Top-tier fighting game (weight 0.38): Players consistently praise the game as one of the best fighting games ever, highlighting its quality and fun factor.
- Great for social play (weight 0.25): The game is easy to pick up and play with friends and family, making it ideal for social play.
- Stunning graphics (weight 0.22): Graphics are frequently described as beautiful, phenomenal, and spectacular, with 4K support noted.
- Phoenix Wright shines (weight 0.18): Phoenix Wright is a standout character, praised as the best designed and most fun in fighting games.
- Excellent soundtrack (weight 0.18): The soundtrack is highly acclaimed, often called great, best, or impeccable.
- Mods improve game (weight 0.18): Community mods, especially the Community Edition, significantly enhance the game experience.
- Fun game modes (weight 0.14): Heroes & Heralds mode adds variety and fun, alongside other modes like Arcade and versus.
- Phenomenal gameplay (weight 0.14): Gameplay is consistently described as phenomenal, wonderful, and amazing.
- Massive diverse roster (weight 0.14): The roster is massive with diverse, strong, and distinct characters.
- Vergil is lore accurate (weight 0.14): Vergil is a great main character, lore accurate and not broken.
- Unique character movesets (weight 0.11): All characters have unique movesets, making every match feel different.
- Perfect 10/10 rating (weight 0.11): Some players rate the game a perfect 10/10, calling it a masterpiece.
- Gateway to fighting games (weight 0.11): The game serves as a gateway into competitive fighting games for many players.
- Fun arcade mode (weight 0.11): Arcade mode and Herrardo mode are specifically noted as fun.
- Solid combat mechanics (weight 0.11): Combat mechanics are solid and the system is enjoyable.
- Challenging combo system (weight 0.11): The combo system is challenging yet fun, and easier than previous titles.

Common complaints:
- Online population is too low (weight 0.45): Multiple reviews highlight a very low online population, making it difficult to find opponents or fair matches. Players often need to rely on friends or local play to enjoy the game.
- Netcode needs rollback improvement (weight 0.22): The netcode is frequently described as poor or uncertain, lacking modern rollback features. This leads to laggy online matches and a subpar multiplayer experience.
- Balance issues with Vergil and combos (weight 0.15): Balance issues are noted, with Vergil being overpowered and touch-of-death combos making matches feel unfair. These problems reduce competitive integrity.
- Arcade mode difficulty is unbalanced (weight 0.12): The arcade mode's difficulty is poorly balanced: max difficulty is too easy, while 'very hard' is considered impossible. The new arcade ending is also criticized as worse than before.
- Price is too high for age (weight 0.09): The price is considered too high for a game that is over a decade old, especially given its limited content and online issues. Players expect a lower cost for such an old title.
- Missing key characters (weight 0.09): Some players feel that the roster is incomplete, missing characters that should be included. This detracts from the game's value and variety.
- Controls are confusing (weight 0.09): Controls are described as confusing, particularly for players familiar with similar fighting games. This creates a steep learning curve and frustration.

Gameplay feedback:
- Marvel vs Capcom crossover fighter (weight 0.7): The game is a 2D crossover fighting game featuring a large roster of characters from Marvel and Capcom franchises, with 3v3 tag-team combat and unique movesets for each character.
- Limited single-player modes (weight 0.29): Single-player modes include Arcade, Heroes & Heralds, and Mission Mode, but the Arcade mode is considered easy and lacks a campaign, with a Galactus boss.
- Infinite and deadly combos (weight 0.29): Characters can perform infinite combos, aerial combos, and touch-of-death combos, making high-level play very punishing.
- Comic book art style (weight 0.2): The game features a comic book-style art direction, with visuals inspired by comic books, giving it a distinctive aesthetic.
- Fast-paced combat (weight 0.13): The combat is fast-paced and frantic, emphasizing quick actions and special moves.
- X-Factor comeback system (weight 0.09): The X-Factor system allows for comebacks, adding a strategic layer to matches.
- Online multiplayer (weight 0.09): The game includes online multiplayer, allowing players to play with friends.
- Phoenix Wright playable (weight 0.09): Phoenix Wright is a playable character, adding to the crossover roster.
- Community mod support (weight 0.08): The game has community mod support, allowing players to modify the game.
- Playstyle optimization (weight 0.08): Players can optimize their playstyle, suggesting depth in gameplay mechanics.

Performance notes:
- Excellent optimization on low-end PCs (weight 0.43): The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on low-end hardware, integrated graphics, and older GPUs like GTX 1060 and GTX 1050 Ti at 1080p or 4K 60fps. Users praise its lightweight nature and low GPU usage.
- Steam Deck performance mixed (weight 0.22): Multiple users report that the game runs flawlessly on Steam Deck, with one noting it saves battery by limiting GPU clock and TDP to 10 watts. However, one user experienced a crash requiring a system restart.
- Crashes on startup and modern systems (weight 0.19): Several users report crashes on startup, especially on Windows 11 and Arch Linux, with a black screen fixable by disabling variable refresh rate. These issues affect modern computers and specific OS configurations.
- Mixed netcode performance (weight 0.19): Netcode receives mixed feedback: some praise optimized netcode and stable connections, while others report poor netcode requiring third-party solutions like Parsec, lag, and server issues.
- Fast loading and improved performance (weight 0.17): Loading times are greatly reduced compared to the PS3 version, with incredibly fast loading speeds and improved processing slowdowns. Lag is better than PS3 and comparable to Xbox/PS4.
- Works on Windows and Linux (weight 0.12): The game works on Windows and Linux (CachyOS with Proton-GE), but requires 64-bit Windows. Compatibility is generally good across platforms.
- Good gamepad support (weight 0.05): Good gamepad support is noted, with a Snoopy gamepad working without extra settings.
- Sluggish in docked mode (weight 0.04): One user notes that the game works great in handheld mode but becomes sluggish when docked, suggesting a performance issue specific to docked Steam Deck usage.
- 4K TV HDMI bug (weight 0.04): A bug prevents the game from running on 4K TVs using HDMI, requiring a workaround. This is a niche but specific issue for 4K TV users.
- 30fps recommended for combos (weight 0.04): One user recommends locking the game to 30fps for better combo timing, suggesting that higher frame rates may affect gameplay mechanics.
- Crash with Phoenix Wright (weight 0.04): One user reports a crash when using the character Phoenix Wright, indicating a specific bug related to that character.
- Updated online community (weight 0.04): One user mentions an updated online community, indicating active player base or improvements.
- Accept online fights in arcade (weight 0.04): The game includes an option to accept online fights while playing arcade mode, a quality-of-life feature.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended masterpiece (weight 0.97): Many reviews give the game a perfect or near-perfect score, calling it a masterpiece, a classic, and a must-play. They express strong enthusiasm and urge others to buy it without hesitation.
- Best for fighting game fans (weight 0.56): The game is strongly recommended for fans of fighting games, especially those who enjoy the Marvel vs. Capcom series, tag-team mechanics, and fast-paced combat. It is considered one of the best fighting games available.
- Best played with friends (weight 0.53): The game is highly recommended for local multiplayer or playing with friends, either offline or via Parsec. It is described as endless fun when played with others, but less enjoyable alone.
- Buy on sale for value (weight 0.45): Many reviewers advise buying the game on sale, often mentioning a price around $5-$8 or a 70% discount. It is considered worth the price when discounted, but not at full price.
- Perfect for Marvel/Capcom fans (weight 0.41): Fans of Marvel and Capcom franchises will love the chaotic, over-the-top action and team-building experimentation. The game is a must-buy for those who enjoy frantic fights and superhero themes.
- Avoid online mode (weight 0.4): The online mode is widely criticized as broken, unplayable, or not recommended. Players suggest using mods like the Community Edition or Parsec for a better experience, or sticking to local play.
- Good for all skill levels (weight 0.32): The game is recommended for both beginners and hardcore players, though it can be intimidating for newcomers. It offers an accessible yet deep fighting experience with an addictive learning curve.
- Limited single-player content (weight 0.18): The single-player content is limited, with arcade mode being the main option for casual play. Serious players need to invest many hours in training mode to master the game.
- Use Community Edition mod (weight 0.17): Players strongly recommend downloading the Community Edition mod from Nexus Mods to improve the game, especially for online play. This mod fixes many issues and enhances the experience.
- Better than MvC Infinite (weight 0.12): Reviewers recommend this game over Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, calling it much better and cheaper. It is a good choice for those waiting for Infinite or without a robust PC.

Other player notes:
- Epilepsy accessibility issue (weight 0.06): A player has reported that they are unable to play the game due to epilepsy, indicating a potential lack of accessibility options or seizure warnings.
- Request for Komaki Tiger Drop (weight 0.05): A player has requested the addition of the Komaki Tiger Drop technique, a signature move from the Yakuza series, to the game's combat system.
- Inappropriate character desires (weight 0.04): A player has expressed inappropriate and objectifying desires towards the characters Felicia and She-Hulk. This feedback is not constructive and does not relate to gameplay.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Players are frustrated due to a dead online server, making it hard to find matches, and a high learning curve that punishes beginners. Technical issues like unfixed bugs, glitches, and controller problems, along with a lack of single-player content and absurd pricing, compound the negative experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.14): Excitement stems from the game's fast-paced, flashy combat, deep gameplay, and large roster of cool characters like Dante and Storm. Positive memories, effective combos, and the Community Edition mod also contribute, along with anticipation for a potential Marvel 4.
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): Disappointment arises from an inactive community, lack of online players, and poor netcode/matchmaking. The absence of a story mode, missing characters like Cyclops, and lackluster single-player content further disappoint players expecting more from the game.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction comes from solid single-player content, a fluid combo system, and enjoyable characters with great art style. Flawless performance on Steam Deck, new characters, and the inclusion of all DLCs also contribute to a positive experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.09): Nostalgia is driven by childhood memories of playing the game on PS3 or in arcades, often with family. The game served as an entry point to the series and lived up to fond memories, despite some preferring earlier titles.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Enjoyment comes from fun gimmicks like Frank West, long-term play with friends, and modes like arcade and Herrardo. The game's brokenness and depth, along with similarities to other fighting games, provide lasting entertainment.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): Amusement is derived from humorous elements like Deadpool's yo mama line and the fun chaos of the game's broken mechanics. The unique crossover featuring diverse characters also adds to the entertainment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Enthusiasm is fueled by strong passion for the game, with players calling it a gem and recommending it highly. The growing recognition of characters and crude jokes expressing love for the game also contribute.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation is shown for the game's easter eggs, extensive content, mod support, and helpful training mode and trials that enhance the experience.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love for the game is expressed as it is considered amazing and the greatest, with the series bringing players closer to others. The game itself is deeply cherished.
- Approval (weight 0.02): Approval is given for the game being peak and for cool characters like Phoenix Wright, indicating strong positive reception.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is directed at the game being a masterpiece of fighting games, with high overall quality and optimization.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy comes from overall fun and replayability, with loved characters like Dormammu and Vergil enhancing the experience.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is expressed for a true Marvel vs. Capcom 4, indicating desire for a new installment in the series.
- Respect (weight 0.02): Respect is given for great music and animations, and acknowledging the game's greatness for others despite personal preferences.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is simply stated as the reviewer does not like the game, with no specific causes provided.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is shown through a desire to keep the game alive, indicating strong attachment and care for the title.
- Surprise/pleasure (weight 0.01): Surprise and pleasure come from discovering an unexpected but enjoyable matchup, like Dante vs Nova, which was a pleasant revelation.
- Moderate satisfaction (weight 0.01): Moderate satisfaction is expressed as the game is solid but not a favorite, indicating a balanced but not overwhelming positive view.
- Sarcastic frustration (weight 0.01): Sarcastic frustration is directed at the game being unbalanced, with nonsense characters, dated artstyle, hypercompetitive nature, and complicated mechanics.}