Overview
It has been a quite long time that Capcom has made a new 2D fighter in a couple of years. There were many disappointing fans and some joyful fans playing this game. Let’s see what’s all this fuss is about.
Graphics 6/10
Reused same old sprites by Capcom. Shame on you Capcom for not giving us fans some new sprites. Same as always except for the backgrounds. They look great but not so great. Some characters in the background don’t even move. Sure you’ll see Shawn throwing his fist in the air as the others just stand still like puppets. That bothered me but at least I saw a lot of Capcom characters on the backgrounds. Artwork of the endings of the game look awesome but no dialogue. At least it kicks ass and too bad there isn’t a gallery mode to see this wonderful art by Udon.
Gameplay/Controls 7/10
Well, look do we have here. A new 2D fighter in our precious greedy hands. So how does it play like? Just your casual 2D fighter of course except if you have Street Fighter II, Street Fighter III, Darkstalkers, Street Fighter Alpha, and Red Earth characters into one game. If you use Street Fighter II characters, you will have you usually normal attacks, as they stayed original in their fighting form. For Street Fighter III characters, you can counter attack and even parry (which you tap forward so you can stop your opponent’s attack which leaves you an open shot at them) when using them. Leap attack and quick standing is other abilities to use while you are either one of the SF III characters. Just like SF III. Darkstalkers brings you fast chain combos while you can attack your foe with quick punch or kick attacks or even both. Also, raging wave rush leads you to attack your enemy are chain combos that you can fill up your special gauge to perform strong EX attack moves. Guard cancel and as well as follow-up attack which can be cheap at times in my opinion but you can hit your opponent on the ground with a quick tap of up and kick button. Street Fighter Alpha characters have Alpha counter In which you can counter attacks right after guarding and Ukemi is an advantage as you can roll right after you get knocked down. Lastly, Red Earth characters can level up and become more powerful. Every time you fill your gauge, you stock a gem in need to level up. Ultimate guard is mainly guarding all high, medium, and low attacks, special moves, and combos. Follow-up attack is same as Darkstalkers as you can attack your opponent once he is on the ground with a quick tap of up and kick. All the characters in the game have different abilities among themselves.
A new character has been added, Ingrid, to the game exclusively to make things better right? No. Why is that? Character is worthless, useless, and is a total waste. I didn’t have fun using her and overall I rather just pick other characters beside her. At least it doesn’t hurt to try to add something new right? Well, good try Capcom.
A new feature in the game is Tag-Match. Similar to Capcom’s versus games. You determine who you want to pick first whoever it can be Ryu and then pick your second character lets say Guile to be your second choice as there isn’t no switching characters between the game only between rounds. You use your first and then have your second. When you win a round you can determine who fights in the next room it can be Ryu again for your first choice again (must press two punch buttons for that to happen) or you can switch by pressing 2 kick buttons to pick Guile. Game play can be fast and medium pace depending on which character you use and the way you play. Each category of characters has weaknesses and some can even be stronger. Characters such as Demitri, can sometimes own you in the game (he owns me almost every time I face him).
Between you and me, it’s unbalance as almost every fighter is.
You have your simple low, medium, and high kick and punch buttons. You like to taunt during a match, then hey go ahead and press select if you want. Simple buttons for a simple fighter. People may feel uncomfortable with the D-pad of the PS2. Don’t be disappointed; you got the analog to pull of your favorite moves. Sure it doesn’t feel like an arcade stick but in my opinion it feels better than the D-pad. I surely recommend the new SF pads as I have one that I bought off from arcade shock. Feels great and you will have no trouble pulling off your moves.
Sound/Music 7/10
Music is out of date and just sounds like it was the 1990’s all over again. I’m not complaining but it isn’t the best sound for a 2D fighter. Capcom seemed to stay original and thank god stayed away from the Jazz music. What is cool though is when you beat the game with one of your favorite characters like Chun-Li, you get to unlock her theme song from SFIII. Go to the sound option and go find it and listen to it. I liked that idea but too bad there isn’t more characters in the game to hear more great music from their themes.
Replay Value 5/10
You have really have three modes all together in the game, Arcade, training, and versus mode. You can unlock two characters that are Shin Akuma from Street Fighter II and Pyron from Darkstalkers. You can unlock their stages by defeating them and as well for their theme songs and of course as well all the characters when you beat the game. Also, beating the game with everyone, you can hold square on arcade mode to listen to original themes from characters when you face them. You can always beat the game over and over again just to see Udon’s great art for your favorite character. So is that enough for everyone to play the game forever? Of course not, it lacks on modes and on characters. The roster is basically a joke and it could have had way more characters even at least have a roster of 30. Overall, this what hurts the game the most but only a true 2D Capcom fan will salute its replay value.
Overall 6/10
When I bought this, I didn’t have high or low expectations. I knew the game will turn out to be average especially the reviews I have read. I still bought it as I still have love for 2D fighters since I touched a SFII arcade machine at the age of 5. This isn’t Capcom’s greatest invention but it did keep me busy. Lack of roster and lack of modes make this game a worthy rental. If only online was added to the PS2 version, this would of made the game even better but hey this game is for hardcore Capcom fans so If you’re not a fan, go rent it and give it a try or go back to your 3D gaming.
- By SegaSaturnSNK
