Street Fighter IV Review
Endless fun, but unfortunately poor online features.
I really wanted this to be the penultimate iteration of Street Fighter, but it's too bad that some poor online mode decisions are holding it back from that.
The game definitely is fun with very fluid controls and easy to execute special moves and combos. The new "systems" bring a nice new addition to my favorite 2D fighter. The Ultra Combos are snazzy and over the top but not annoying. Supers are just that supers. But really the greatest addition is the focus and EX attacks. The focus attacks will stun if hit when charged, and can help string together combos when used quickly. A really nice addition and adds a new level to the controls, that isn't tough to use like additions in previous versions (I'm looking at you parrying). As for the EX moves, they are special moves that are executed by using 2 buttons, and tend to do a bit more damage than regular specials. A good example for the EX moves is a good ole fashioned fireball fight. Throw out an EX fireball and it will cancel the opponents fireball, but another fireball will continue on the same path and make contact with your opponent.
If you've ever played a previous iteration of Street Fighter you'd be surprised how quick the muscle memory comes back to you. Right away you'll be pulling off special moves and even some of your old combos from previous games. The pace of the game is quite quick, and furious I don't think it feels anything like II, maybe more along the lines of 3rd Strike or the other fast paced fighters.
The selections for the characters are solid, the new additions are great and the choices from previous games in the series are solid (maybe just missing some Dee Jay, but that's a personal thing).
As for features, the Arcade mode is well Arcade mode, you need to play through it a few times to unlock all of the characters, and that is something that I'm not a huge fan of. The challenge modes are good addition, and offer a nice break from the online play. Trial helps learn you some new combos, Time Attack you need to progress through a certain number of fighters in the given time frame, and Survival you need to survive fighting a number of fighters in concession.
But really you're going to spend the bulk of your time with the online modes, which is by far the most enjoyable part of any fighting game, but the most poorly executed feature of this game. Essentially you only have the ability to play against 1 person online in either a ranked or player match... That's it! Where's the Quarter Matches? Where's the tournament modes? How can a 15$ game (HD Remix) get this so right and this 60$ game get it so wrong? This can be fixed with a patch, but why do I have to wait for a patch for basic online fighter functionality?
Overall I do love the game. Looks great, plays great and is a ton of fun. Unfortunately the online features cannot be overlooked and hold it back just the slightest amount. I'm really happy to see that 2D fighters appear to be making a comeback, dare I wish for a revisited Samurai Showdown?
8.5/10
I really wanted this to be the penultimate iteration of Street Fighter, but it's too bad that some poor online mode decisions are holding it back from that.
The game definitely is fun with very fluid controls and easy to execute special moves and combos. The new "systems" bring a nice new addition to my favorite 2D fighter. The Ultra Combos are snazzy and over the top but not annoying. Supers are just that supers. But really the greatest addition is the focus and EX attacks. The focus attacks will stun if hit when charged, and can help string together combos when used quickly. A really nice addition and adds a new level to the controls, that isn't tough to use like additions in previous versions (I'm looking at you parrying). As for the EX moves, they are special moves that are executed by using 2 buttons, and tend to do a bit more damage than regular specials. A good example for the EX moves is a good ole fashioned fireball fight. Throw out an EX fireball and it will cancel the opponents fireball, but another fireball will continue on the same path and make contact with your opponent.
If you've ever played a previous iteration of Street Fighter you'd be surprised how quick the muscle memory comes back to you. Right away you'll be pulling off special moves and even some of your old combos from previous games. The pace of the game is quite quick, and furious I don't think it feels anything like II, maybe more along the lines of 3rd Strike or the other fast paced fighters.
The selections for the characters are solid, the new additions are great and the choices from previous games in the series are solid (maybe just missing some Dee Jay, but that's a personal thing).
As for features, the Arcade mode is well Arcade mode, you need to play through it a few times to unlock all of the characters, and that is something that I'm not a huge fan of. The challenge modes are good addition, and offer a nice break from the online play. Trial helps learn you some new combos, Time Attack you need to progress through a certain number of fighters in the given time frame, and Survival you need to survive fighting a number of fighters in concession.
But really you're going to spend the bulk of your time with the online modes, which is by far the most enjoyable part of any fighting game, but the most poorly executed feature of this game. Essentially you only have the ability to play against 1 person online in either a ranked or player match... That's it! Where's the Quarter Matches? Where's the tournament modes? How can a 15$ game (HD Remix) get this so right and this 60$ game get it so wrong? This can be fixed with a patch, but why do I have to wait for a patch for basic online fighter functionality?
Overall I do love the game. Looks great, plays great and is a ton of fun. Unfortunately the online features cannot be overlooked and hold it back just the slightest amount. I'm really happy to see that 2D fighters appear to be making a comeback, dare I wish for a revisited Samurai Showdown?
8.5/10
posted by davetank at
9:22 AM
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