Home Gaming Street Fighter IV – Reviewed

Street Fighter IV – Reviewed

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SakuraChunLi

Likewise, the game’s audio – barring the intro theme song- is superb. Stages feature an eclectic mix of instrumental tracks, many of them re-imaginings of classic Street Fighter II themes. Voice-acting is a bit hit-and-miss; many of the English voices seem mismatched. Thankfully there’s the option to select Japanese or English voice acting on a per-character basis, so you’ll not have to endure hearing Ryu shouting an overly Americanised “Hadouken!”

With any fighting game though, the audio and the visuals – impressive as they are – are secondary to the gameplay and it’s in this arena where Street Fighter IV excels. The game goes back to basics, retaining the series’ legendary 2D perspective and classic six button controls, despite its shiny new 3D visuals. The game is made from the mould that Super Street Fighter II Turbo set, albeit with a few additions that keep this game from being just a 3D upgrade.

If you’ve been a little apprehensive about how the game controls, particularly with regards to the Xbox 360’s subpar d-pad, you needn’t worry. Controls have been greatly refined since HD remix – after a little time with the analogue stick you’ll find the game’s legendary quarter circle and charge moves fairly easy to execute.

ChunLiRyu

Capcom have dispensed with Street Fighter III’s ludicrously difficult parry system, thus reducing the defensive portion to a combination of blocking and focus attacks. Focus attacks are one of the aforementioned additions; holding both middle punch and kick puts your fighter in to a charged defensive state that will absorb one hit from your opponent without taking damage. Releasing them will trigger an attack that if charged sufficiently will knock your opponent down, allowing you to chain attacks.

Special moves and their particular executions remain unchanged, combinations of joystick movements and button presses are required to unleash fireballs, sonic booms and their ilk upon your adversaries.

Also new to the series is the ultra combo, a startlingly powerful move that is often the difference between being victorious and eating a mouthful of dirt. Like super combos, ultra combos require a charged meter – but unlike the super combo meter which gets filled when you unleash offensive fury, the ultra combo meter fills when you’re the recipient of attacks, making the ultra combo a revengeful route to a comeback – and something to be mindful of, even when it appears you have the upper-hand.

AkumaTIEN

While it all seems quite basic at first, the more you play the game the more you’ll see its depth; there’s a fine balance between the easy to grasp mechanics that newcomers can come to terms with and the rich and elegantly deep system that’ll appease the fighting elite. Cross-ups, buffers, cancels and chains are available, but need only be mastered and applied by the hard-core fighting enthusiast.

Capcom have ingeniously included an “Arcade Request” feature. This allows other players to join your single player arcade games, mimicking the arcade experience perfectly. Players from all over the world can interrupt your game to challenge you, and when you’re done you can continue from where you left off. My online experience with the game has been favourable; using an unshaped account I’ve experienced very little lag, even against international players. Local matches have been entirely lag-free.

SakuraFeilong

Playing online also nets you medals, awarded for achieving certain conditions such as winning with an ultra combo, or beating your opponent without attaining any damage. These collectibles have no worth other than as keepsakes of past victories, but are welcome as reminders of the time spent playing.

Unfortunately the standard multiplayer lobby is rather limited; it’s a 1 on 1 lobby that lacks the elegance and usefulness of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix’s polished group lobbies. A post release update to include group lobbies and tournament features was promised, but details of its release are still scarce.

Local couch multiplayer though is where the game is most fun. A group of friends jostling for controllers, laughing and baiting each highlight the game’s incredible balance. This is the social gaming that recaptures every bit of the alchemic allure and enchanting sway that Street Fighter II held over us back in 1991. As pleasant as the online experience is, this is the way the game is meant to be played.

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Last Updated: March 9, 2009

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27 Comments

  1. TheBeasht

    March 9, 2009 at 12:30

    Nice review Geoff. I personally cannot frakkin’ wait for that group lobby update. 1 vs 1 player games can get a bit lonely. 🙁

    Reply

  2. the dude

    March 9, 2009 at 12:59

    Why are the lazygamer reviews always so long winded. It just goes on and on and on. I trust your opinion, but you could def have said it in less words.

    Reply

  3. LazySAGamer

    March 9, 2009 at 13:19

    It’s a hard call between review depth and ease of reading… your comments are noted though 🙂

    Reply

  4. spl0it

    March 9, 2009 at 13:28

    Total Fanboy nonsense.
    Just kidding, This whole weekend was
    “Ok, just one more round”

    Reply

  5. RogueOne

    March 9, 2009 at 13:29

    No no dont note this comment, it is mearly an oppinion.
    I think they give enough information, that I FOR ONE need to spend my hard-earned money on a game.
    I looked into PoP till I was blue in the face, I hopped on and off the fence so often untill I just dropped the title off my list.
    Then I found Lazygamers review and found out enough for me to finally make my mind up.

    Hey this is SA, we do not have the buying power of Dollar of Euro…..so allot of info is great.

    Reply

  6. Karl

    March 9, 2009 at 13:34

    The only thing missing in SFIV is the parry system. Im not that fond of the new focus attacks.

    Reply

  7. Geoff

    March 9, 2009 at 13:40

    I think the lack of parry levels the playing field a little. SF III’s parry system, while brilliant, prevented a lot of players from playing the game,

    Reply

  8. RogueOne

    March 9, 2009 at 13:40

    oh and where’s my manners – Nice review Geoff.

    **must resist the game, must buy food

    Reply

  9. PaasHaas

    March 9, 2009 at 13:49

    I liked the intro song :wassat: (Not the default english version tho)

    Reply

  10. Nick

    March 9, 2009 at 13:50

    This game has destroyed my life. And I think my fingers may fall off after this weekend.

    Reply

  11. Geoff

    March 9, 2009 at 14:10

    Yeah, that English one is the culprit.

    INNNNNNNNDESTRUCTIBLE!

    Reply

  12. LazySAGamer

    March 9, 2009 at 14:15

    Foods over rated 😉

    Reply

  13. WitWolfyZA

    March 9, 2009 at 14:25

    I dont know im not a fighting game guy. Give me a decent RPG and im happy

    Reply

  14. ewie

    March 9, 2009 at 14:30

    my wife will kill me if i buy this now, because it means geting the arcade stick as well.

    Reply

  15. ewie

    March 9, 2009 at 14:31

    It did nothing to your gears sniping skills. It just increased your reflexes.

    Reply

  16. Fox1

    March 9, 2009 at 15:04

    Cool review :biggrin:

    Reply

  17. Nick

    March 9, 2009 at 15:24

    😛

    Reply

  18. Nick

    March 9, 2009 at 15:24

    Theres an option for another one?

    Reply

  19. bmalcombb

    March 9, 2009 at 15:30

    who else panicks when they fight seth

    i find all hand eye co-ords go pair shaped when i fight him.

    got it on friday and am not disappointed

    if you a street fighter fan and you dont own this

    shame on you

    Reply

  20. spl0it

    March 9, 2009 at 15:33

    I also like the Intro Song
    Very Boy-Band!

    Reply

  21. Nick

    March 9, 2009 at 15:35

    I would have loved to organise a Lazygamer Street Fighter Session so that we can hook up with readers and play a good session, but alas, it will be impossible until they fix the retarded 1v1 lobby.

    Reply

  22. gummigoth

    March 9, 2009 at 15:41

    great review Geoff

    Reply

  23. RA1THE

    March 9, 2009 at 16:23

    The load time at the VS screen irritated me at first…THEN…the option to install to HD…DUH…now she’s so quick to load…nice consideration by capcom.

    This game definately re-awakend my love for SF.

    Reply

  24. theturk

    March 9, 2009 at 16:38

    I need to get this so bad! Alas, the budget dictates that it must wait until month end. Nice review, I don’t mind it being long at all. A review by an SA website / magazine will always be the final say for me on whether or not to get a game. So far, I value the opinions of Eurogamer and Lazygamer the most when it comes to reviews.

    Reply

  25. Geoff

    March 9, 2009 at 19:21

    If you’re a gamer, and you don’t own this – shame on you.

    Reply

  26. 2Bop

    March 10, 2009 at 14:06

    brilliant review. well done, i would have written a thesis if i’d tried to review this.

    Reply

  27. fish

    March 14, 2009 at 23:23

    Hey invite me my gamers tag is
    mfishmza

    We can have a go, i think the game is awesome !!! 🙂 cant get enough

    Reply

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