Lawrence.com

For those of you who haven't had the misfortune of playing EA's console version of Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects let me sum it up: a paper-thin 3D fighter featuring characters from the Marvel Comics universe as well as original properties, the Imperfects (Matt already gave the home version the beating it deserved).

Now for the bad news: for as simple and generic as the console versions are, they don't even compare to the absurdly repetitive PSP version. Seriously, why did this happen? My only explanation is that EA wanted to make a fighting game that appealed to your average gamer. Marvel's hot right now thanks to a series of hit movies (Fantastic 4 doesn't count) and some good games. So they threw down the money necessary to acquire the license and went to work.

The result is a button-masher in the purest sense of the word. No multi-button combos. No reversals. There's not even more than one attack button. Even worse, the glitchy auto-targeting system makes tracking characters (especially Paragon and the Wink) frustrating. The key to success is this: tap X repeatedly until you achieve Rage Mode, in which you have infinite super power attacks for a limited time. Once in Rage Mode simply use your projectile attack to blast your foe into submission.

Additionally there is absolutely no character variance, aside from appearance, whatsoever. If you beat the game once you've beaten it as every character, excuse me characters are different. Maybe it would be more appropriate if they were called "skins" since they're all the same. The arenas that play host to the flakey battles are wide open with plenty of destructible items and big, heavy things to throw. Sometimes this even goes a little overboard. Why are there exploding barrels on top of The Daily Bugle, why is Doom's lair an abandoned subway and since when did The Avengers get their own mansion?

Okay, so you poor souls that have played the home version are probably saying, "so far it sounds just like the version I've played, what's the difference?" Well Scooter, the difference in the PSP version over any of the console editions is the lack of any type of story mode. Instead you're given a tier of ten opponents to face a la Mortal Kombat. As a member of the Marvel universe you'll face down the Imperfects along with Venom and Dr. Doom (a PSP exclusive). As on of the Imperfects you'll do battle against the do-gooders. Your prize for victory is a player card. These cards can be mapped to the D-pad and used to your advantage when you're in a pinch (yeah, right).

The game also features a quick match mode that allows you to jump right into hero-on-hero battles. All of the problems of the console version (weak combat, restrictive level design, unimaginative original characters and the misuse of a great license) plus new ones like the poor collision detection and the lack of a narrative. Nemesis is either an attempt to appeal to casual gamers and children who recognize superheroes from movies or television or it's a sloppy attempt at an arcade fighter. Either way it fails.

Graphics: A-

Sound: B-

Gameplay: F

First Play: F

Last Play: F

Overall: 40% F

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