Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite Returning to Two Vs. Two Format. Is This a Good Idea?

One of the major video game announcements that came in late 2016 was that of Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, the sixth main entry in the #MarvelVsCapcom series. This franchise has been around for 20 years and continues to grow in popularity with each subsequent release. The last installment wasn't received as well as previous ones, which may be the reason why the newest iteration is being altered.

Infinite Will Be Different To Its Predecessors

Compared to past games in the series, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is expected to have many changes to its core dynamics. For one, all X-Men characters are being removed. No word on which #Marvel characters will replace the #Xmen, but we can expect popular characters like #CaptainMarvel to stand in for #Wolverine and his mutant friends.

Another major change will be the number of characters on a player's team. In the original Marvel vs. Capcom game Clash of Super Heroes, the player would select a team of two. Then, in Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, the player's team expanded to a three-character team. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds followed suit in a similar fashion by featuring a three-versus-three format, but Infinite is taking a note from the original by reverting its gameplay back to a two-on-two style.

Back To Two-On-Two Gameplay Fighting

With news of Infinite reverting back to a two-on-two gameplay, it's interesting to note that it was Marvel vs. Capcom 2's expanded gameplay style of three-on-three that increased the game's popularity. However, reverting back to the older style could be a good thing.

Co-producer on Infinite Peter Rosas explained to game magazine Edge why the change was being made — and it seems to come down to a decision to trim the fat from the game:

"Players had to make roughly six decisions before they could fight. The people were looking for two characters, which corresponded to their preference. But the third fighter was chosen solely because of his function – perhaps he had a particularly strong anti-air move or something like that … This selection felt totally superfluous."

We won't know if the decision to revert back to two-on-two gameplay is a good thing until the first reviews roll in upon its release later this year. Until then, I suggest you play through all the Marvel vs. Capcom games and decide which format made the game most enjoyable for you.