SEGA VS Capcom: Worlds Collide

SEGA vs. Capcom: Worlds Collide is a fighting video game developed and published by Mad Man Ninja Studios and Capcom. It is the first main entry in the SEGA vs. Capcom series of crossover games. In this installment, players control characters from both the SEGA and Capcom universes to compete in tag team battles. Worlds Collide features two-on-two fights and incorporates a tag-based combo system, which allows players to instantly switch between their two characters to form continuous combos.

The game also features a large emphasis on storytelling, with a cinematic story mode inspired by Archie Comics' Sonic The Hedgehog series arc Worlds Collide. The plot follows the heroes of the SEGA and Capcom universes, who must work together to save their chaotic merging worlds against a new threat, The Doctor's Syndicate.

Worlds Collide was released in September 2020 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Samsung Zeo and Microsoft Windows.

Gameplay
SEGA VS Capcom: Worlds Collide is a 2D fighting game in which players compete against each other in tag team combat using characters from both the SEGA and Capcom universes. Players must knock out the opposing team by repeatedly attacking the opponent and draining their health bar, featuring two-on-two partner battles. The game does not allow players to use traditional call-in assist attacks from off-screen characters; instead, World Collides utilizes a "free-form" tag system, known as "Active Switch", which shares similarities with Marvel vs. Capcom 3 's "Team Aerial Combo" system and Street Fighter X Tekken 's "Switch Cancel" system. Players can immediately switch between their team members at any point, even while mid-air or during attack animations. This provides players with the abilities to create their own offensive or defensive assists through the tag system and form continuous combos between their two characters.

Players will charge their "Hyper Combo Gauge" as their characters deal or receive damage during the fight. Players can then expend the accrued meter from their Hyper Combo Gauge to perform "Hyper Combos", cinematic attacks which deal larger amounts of damage to the opponent. Alternatively, players can sacrifice meter from their Hyper Combo Gauge to perform the newly introduced "Counter Switch" mechanic, which tags in their partner character while the opponent is attacking them. This provides players with the opportunity to counterattack and free the character trapped in the enemy's combo.

The game offers various offline and online single-player and multiplayer game modes. The offline features include Story Mode, with a cinematic story campaign; Arcade Mode, a classic arcade game experience where players fight against several AI-controlled opponents before confronting the final boss characters; Mission Mode, where players can complete tutorial missions and character-specific challenges; Training Mode, where players can practice their fighting abilities and adjust various training field parameters; Versus Player 2, where two players can battle against each other locally; Versus CPU, where players can battle solo against an AI-controlled opponent; and Collection Mode, where extras unlocked through gameplay are stored, including story cutscenes, character and stage information, concept artwork, and audio tracks. Online multiplayer includes ranked and casual matches, global leaderboards, replays, and eight-player lobbies with spectating.

Playable Charachters
SEGA VS Capcom: Worlds Collide features a base roster of 50 playable characters, consisting of both heroes and villains in the SEGA and Capcom universes. Additional characters were also released post-launch as downloadable content (DLC). *: Available as downloadable content.

Plot
Following Sonic's use of Chaos Emeralds to save his planet of a catastrophic attack by Dr. Robotnik, the blue Chaos Emerald was transported to an alternate universe, specifically that of Earth 20XX. Appearing in the rainforest outside the Lanfront Ruins, it was discovered by several of the Robot Masters created by Dr. Wily using the supercomputer Ra Moon. Wily's attempts to analyze the gemstone resulted in opening an unexpected communications link between the two universes, allowing Wily and Robotnik to communicate with each other. Discovering their shared goals for their worlds-and frustration with certain blue foes-the two doctors agreed upon an alliance: The Doctor's Syndicate. With Robotnik's guidance, Wily used the power of the Chaos Emerald to create the Skull Egg Zone, a pocket dimension linking both their worlds together. By combining resources, the two doctors shaped the realm to their liking and created a flying battle fortress from which to enact their schemes for all reality: the Wily Egg. After using the Emerald to launch a deadly wave of vampiric robots to drain the life of organic matter, the pair set out to acquire the remaining Emeralds.

Quickly securing most of the Emeralds, the doctors then arranged for their foes - Sonic and Mega Man - to be tricked into battling each other in the hopes that one or both would be destroyed, with the two realities at stake. Additionally, it was revealed the entire multiverse was effected: the reality warping caused the multiverse to collapse in on itself and reboot, creating new realities.

Reception
The game received positive reviews. In Japan, Game Machine listed Worlds Collide on their December 15, 2020 issue as being the eleventh most-successful fighting game of the year. Computer and Video Games awarded it a full 5/5 rating. Despite scoring it only three out of five stars, Next Generation gave it a relentlessly positive review, saying it "blends loads of combo-powered attacks with liquid-smooth animation to contend with some of the best fighters out there."

A sequel was confirmed to the series, SEGA VS Capcom 2: Worlds Unite, to be released in 2022.