Review: Super Street Fighter IV
Game: Super Street Fighter IV
Format: Xbox 360
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
First, I can’t help but put a personal note apologising for my absence recently. Crunch times in real life sure do take their toll on writing. Especially when those deadlines involve writing. Not to mention, this is a little old now, but it’s still good right?… Right?… Ehem.
Anywho, onto Super Street Fighter IV. For those who have been locked in a cupboard for a while, the original game, Street Fighter IV was released last year to critical acclaim; winning multiple awards for its graphics and gameplay. It was generally thought to have revived the series by combining old and new with aplomb. A year later and Capcom has revised this title,throwing a a few little tweaks into the mix.
Street Fighter IV was undoubtedly a reinvention for the series. Combining 2D and 3D into a stylistic package, it brought back many an ‘old school’ fighting fans back into the ring. Whilst Super Street Fighter IV certainly doesn’t revolutionise in the same way, it does bring around quite a few welcome changes.
On the face of it, ten new additional characters have been added, most from previous games with the exception of two entirely new faces. It also adds a few new modes to the original along with a couple of tweaks to the online mode. However, at the price tag for a completely new title, is it really worth splashing out?
Juri is the Tai Kwon Do artist with the funky eyeball
Certainly, the addition of ten new characters, bringing the roster up to 35, is a plus, especially for fans of the franchise. Juri and Hakan are stunning brand new characters to mess around with. Juri is a Tai Kwon Do expert with the interesting ability to unleash a charged fireball at any point upon the unsuspecting enemy. Hakan couldn’t be more different, a Turkish wrestler who must oil himself up in order to perform his jaw-dropping Ultras and Supers.
Both provide a welcome change to the usual suspects of Ryu and Ken users online for those willing enough to give them a shot. Classic characters such as T Hawk and Dee Jay also show their ugly faces, along with some Final Fight guys… like Guy, and Cody. Another potential boon for those with little time for unlocking is the fact that all 35 characters are playable right from the start, unlike Street Fighter IV. No need to grind a little in order to unlock your fave fighter.
Other tweaks are a little smaller. Bonus stages are dotted between matches, each one might be recognised by those more familiar with previous entries into the series. Both offer an enjoyable time out between fights in Arcade mode. A lot of damage balancing for moves has also gone on; this is perhaps of no interest to the regular joe who might enjoy a game or two with friends, but to die-hard fans it means a lot.
The game also offers a little more longevity as each character, including those from the original, now has at least two Ultras to chose from. Some time set aside to re-master your choice fighter is a must before heading online.
Speaking of online, a lot of changes are staged here. A new spectator mode is available, making waiting for some matches online infinitely more fulfilling. Or terrifying, if the person you’re waiting to match up against is a beast. A step on from this is the new replay mode, in which you, well… replay previous matches. The Replay Channel offers a variety of different replays put forward from players across the globe, all for your viewing pleasure. Some of the extras involve being able to save your favourites for later viewing and even being able to invite friends to watch them with you.
Once successfully oiled up, Hakan is ready to unleash pain
One of the best additions to the online play is the potential to create and host Team Battles of between four to eight players. Once you have everyone together, the game automatically shuffles you into two teams to battle it out in a straight elimination contest until one team is no more. This mixes with the aforementioned spectator mode so you can watch how each team mate is faring, discussing, cussing or praising all the while over chat.
Whilst it isn’t exactly the authentic Street Fighter arcade experience, as someone who has sat at those cabinets, I can say it comes very close. New updates are also on the way on June 15th to add a tournament manager, allowing the creation of online tournaments in the same style as the current Team Battles. Good times.
Of course, there are always downsides, and with any game which is predominantly sold for online play, there is one problem that will vex many gamers. Lag. Lag is inescapable is seems, even if you are fairly certain you have the best internet connection in your county (which I don’t). On the whole, despite my internet connection being far from stellar, the lag wasn’t too bad. That said, when it did lag it was debilitating to the point of ruining the match for both competitors. Since this was fairly soon after release, however, as with any online game it may balance out after a while.
Cammy and Chunners. For some the ONLY match up allowed.
Finally we come to the issue of cost. As noted, this game certainly isn’t a budget title; as it’s still being priced at full new release cost in most stockists. Is it worth the extra money? The answer for me, personally is a resounding yes… if you don’t own the original.
If you do happen to have a copy of Street Fighter IV on your shelf, the answer becomes a little more difficult. If this is the case, you have to weigh up all the previously noted pros and cons. Should you be a fan of the various other Street Fighter titles, it might also be a yes. This is all up to personal preference, I’m afraid. What it does well, it does very well. If you’re satisfied with the original however, is £40 really worth it?
Review Round-Up
Graphics: 4/5 - It would be hard to give it anything different. The original game looked gorgeous and this one doesn’t disappoint either. If anything, this mark goes to the new character models, each of which looking like an amazing representation of the 2D originals. Juri and Hakan are a bit of alright, too.
Sound: 2/5 – This game seems predominantly sound effects for me. Whilst this is good, there isn’t much of a soundtrack to mark. The title song of ‘Indestructible’ which provoked a love/hate reaction from most (I loved it, personally) is missing. Boo.
Story: 3/5 - Obviously this is a fighting game and so there isn’t much story floating around. The openings and endings in Arcade mode are brilliantly animated and fun for fans who know the canon surrounding the series. Newcomers might be a little puzzled, however.
Gameplay: 4/5 - What Super Street Fighter IV does well, it does very well. The original brought around a new fighting style for newcomers and veterans alike and this instalment only tightens this up further. There is a fighter to suit everyone and each can be picked up easily.
Longevity: 4/5 - This is one of those games that might sit around on the shelf for a while, but will always be guaranteed a replay intermittently. Each fighter can take an age to master if you really want to complete all the tutorials and learn every single combo down pat. Online battles make this game even more of a keeper.
Overall: 4 Shoryukens out of 5. Super Street Fighter IV might cost a hefty sum if you already own the original, but it has more than enough for fans to drool over. The cost is really the main issue when it comes to this title; so for those with enough patience to wait for the price to drop, this will become a must own for a lot of people. Make a place on your shelf already, you know you want to.
[starreview tpl=16]
I would really like to get this game but I’m going to wait for Marvel vs Capcom 3 instead.
I’ll definitely have to get a fight pad too as I the 360 controller is useless for fighting games. I hate the D-pad so very much.
Dude, I just use the analogue stick… I wish skullomania were in this game. He’s probably my favourite street fighter. Sigh.
Are there any bonuses for owning both street fighter 4 and this one? It’s just over £20 at tesco. I’m considering getting it.
I bought the official Street Fighter 4 Hori stick when the first one came out. I justify it because it was a gift! Seriously, though, I’m better with the 360 controller as much as I hate to admit it. I’m great at an arcade cabinet but the stick alone just doesn’t seem to work… boo.
Marvel Vs Capcom 3 does look yummy. I will be making that purchase also asap.
Luke: Bonuses? Um, I might be wrong here, but I think the only real bonus you get for having a Street Fighter 4 save on the drive is two different colours right from the start. Not amazing, I know. If you’re willing to fork out just over £20 I’d get it. If there’s something else completely new around that same price maybe wait for it to come down or go into a deal? It’s a hard one to call.