Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001

"Beat-'em-up Bliss"

When faced with a 2D fighter such as Capcom VS SNK 2 : Mark Of The New Millenium, a reviewer is inevitably left with somewhat of a dilemma. Do you try to convince non believers about the worthiness of the two dimensional fighting cause? Or do you simply preach to the converted? The answer, when you think about it, is pretty simple. You preach to the converted an let the people in ignorant bliss carry on in ignorant bliss. Yes guys, if you are one of those people who think 2D is criminal, who thinks E.Honda is a worthless piece of crap, who think Street Fighter isn't worth being on this Earth, then stop reading now because no matter how many reviews you read on how fun this game is you'll never trut us because your heart is set against it in the first place.

Now for those people who don't mind this type of game (if you do I told you to go away didn't I?) take into account these three words : BUY THIS GAME. To put it simply Capcom VS SNK 2 : Mark Of The Millenium is the most beatifully crafted, witfully made, well-crafted 2D beat-'em-up to grae God's fair Earth (with games like this being released you can't be an atheist!) . The game has a total forty-six characters taken from the finest wares of the two softcos. Throw together fighters from such franchises as Street Fighter and Samurai Showdown, then wrap them up in a brilliantly conceived groove system and then you've got something a little. Ever wanted to see who'd win in a fight between Chang and E.Honda (two fat ladies, errrr.. I mean men!) Now you can!

As you'd expect, all the trimmings of a 2D beat-'em-up are present and correct. These include projectile attacks, counters, dashes, double jumps and super combos. Basically if you've seen them in a 2D fighting game in the past then it's in here. The real beauty, however, comes in the strategic edge lent to fighters via the Groove System. Befoure a bout players can select one of six grooves (each based on various Capcom and SNK styles) and these determine which of the more intricate manoeuvres your chosen character can perform during the fight. Both defensive and aggressive combat styles are catered for with factors such as how your special move gauge filled up proving to be crucially important during a closely fought battle.

Fights can be conducted on a one on one basisor three against three. In addition a ratio select can be used, allowing you to power up one character and face them off against two average or three weaker foes. As you'd expect from a Capcom developed fighting game the controls are spot on, and the rapid responses of your fighters make for the kind of fluid, interactive gameplay that only a 2D beat-'em-up can deliver. Okay, so countless games of Street Fighter II (during a misspent youth) may have left my mind biased to the much maligned 2D fighting genre, but there's simply no denying that this is one of the finest examples of it's genre in existence.

Sadly, there is a catch. Firstly, the slightly piellated fighters sprites jar against the pin sharp psuedo 3D backdrops. But apart from this there is nothing that can stop Capcom VS SNK 2 being an essential purchase for fight connoisseurs. Once again, three word : BUY THIS GAME (unless you are that dude that hates 2D fighters and deliberately ignored me when I told you to stop reading the review because you are a two-minded rat-face!)

Here's what I gave 'Capcom VS SNK 2 : Mark Of The Millenium' in Each part of the game out of a total mark of ten:-
Graphics 7
Sounds 8
Gameplay 10
Value 10
Long Term 10
Overall 10

''The best 2D fighting game ever released. essential Oh yeah, three words, BUY THIS GAME!''

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/06/01, Updated 06/12/02