Sega for PS2

Fighting

1-2 Players

The triumphant return of the first 3D fighting game ever made.

It’s funny, every time I tell one of my friends that I bought VF4, that’s the first thing they ask. The answer is easy – no. Virtua Fighter 4 does not look as nice as DoA3. In fact, it looks only marginally better that Tekken Tag Tournament, a game that’s over a year old. So, if the most important aspect of a fighting game for you is the eye candy, then maybe you’d better stop reading now, because I’m going to start using big meaningless words like "technique," and "balance" in the following paragraph.

This is Virtua Fighter! After Tekken Tag and Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore (both good games in their own right… and to their respective fan bases) the PS2 has finally gotten its very own version of (in my opinion) the best 3D fighting series ever made. Unlike TTT or DoA2, VF4 has many layers of intricacies below the surface that only the most tenacious players will seek out. VF4 is all about technique – in order to be really good, you can’t simply play the game, you must master it, learning how each character works and perfecting their individual attacks and defenses. VF4 is not a game where the button-mashers prevail.

As has been the tradition with the series since the beginning, this latest incarnation of Virtua Fighter introduces two new characters to the roster. VF2 gave us Lion and Shun Di. VF3 brought Aoi and the sumo Takarishi (who is the only character not in VF4). Now, VF4 throws a Shaolin monk (Lei Fei) and a tough street fighter (Vanessa) into the mix. Sega has always concentrated on showcasing wildly different fighting styles in the characters of this series, and the new contenders do not break that tradition. Lei Fei uses a style of Kung Fu that incorporates several different stances, each with its own set of lightning-fast attacks. Vanessa lacks subtlety but combines raw power and wrestling-style counter moves. All of the returning characters have their familiar move sets along with several new techniques that expand their repertoires and make them more dangerous than ever.

VF4 loses the 3D movement button from VF3 and returns to a style of gameplay that is closer to VF2. 3D movement is now normal, however, and is executed via the D-pad. The stages are also more like those in VF2, although several of them are enclosed. Ring outs are back on many stages as well, although the arenas are larger now so they’re not as common as in VF2.

The PS2 version of VF4 is packed with options. There are standard Arcade mode (with a super-cool looking Dural waiting for you as the end boss) and Versus mode, but several new modes have been included as well. An in-depth Training mode includes free training, command training and a trial mode where you must perform different attacks and combos perfectly to progress. Kumite is similar to other fighting games Survival modes, but you get a full life bar at the start of every round, and you can unlock many different accessories and costume colors for your characters as you defeat opponents. Interestingly, Kumite mode is set up to emulate playing the game in an arcade against a succession of human opponents. Each new challenger has its own "player name" and ranking, and they vary in skill level as well. This mode is great practice for playing against human opponents.

The most interesting addition to the game is the AI mode. In this mode, you choose character and then train it to fight. By showing it moves and fighting against it, the AI character will improve and learn new skills.

Graphically, VF4 looks very nice, with lots of detail on the characters and nearly flawless polygon models. Big improvements have been made to the facial details of the fighters, and the stages are also the best in the series. A few stages stand out – one has you fighting in freshly fallen snow, which deforms and kicks up around the combatants. Another puts the fighters in ankle-deep water, which reacts naturally to the battle.

As noted already, VF4 is not the best looking 3D fighter out there right now. It’s not even as nice looking as DoA2 Hardcore. Unfortunately, this means that the game will be overlooked by a lot of gamers who equate looks with quality. There’s certainly something to be said for incredible graphics, but it’s sad that many people will dismiss VF4 because it doesn’t look state of the art. However, there’s no denying that the gameplay is rock-solid and easily the deepest of its kind.

I’ve always been partial to Kung Fu cutie Pai Chan, and she’s been improved tremendously in VF4, but I’m starting to really dig Lei Fei as well. His various fighting stances are very cool.

Ganeplay – 10 (VF4 is rock solid with deep technique and dozens of moves pr character)

Graphics – 8 (It looks good, but it’s not arcade perfect, and it’s not as fabulous graphically as the competition)

Sound – 8 (Everything from the voices to the sounds of impact will be familiar to VF fans. It’s all good)

Replay – 8 (Kumite mode and AI mode are endlessly replayable, and there’s always Versus mode when you have a group of friends together)

Overall: 9