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Super Street Fighter IV
We've been spending some time with Super Street Fighter IV over the
last couple of days, and all signs point to it being a worthy followup
to last year's return to form for the series. Those who were concerned
about this edition being a mere cash-in shouldn't have much to worry
about, as it features plenty of new fighters, modes, and
moves...basically everything you'd want in a new edition of Street
Fighter.
Longtime fans know that the series is known for these
"updates" in lieu of full-fledged sequels, considering that the SNES
Street Fighter II was released twice more as SFII Turbo and Super
Street Fighter II Turbo. Both of those titles were big hits, and they
didn't feature nearly as many improvements as this update to IV. Each
of the SNES updates only provided gamers with four new characters, while
SSFIV introduces ten new fighters to the mix. Some are returning
characters and others are completely new, but they all fit perfectly
into this new era of Street Fighter.
Those who spent time with
IV last year will feel right at home once they pick up this edition, as
the core gameplay mechanics are virtually identical. Each character has
their standard special moves and Super/Ultra combos, but now they can
select one of two Ultras at the beginning of the round. Fighters from
the first edition of IV will each feature a new and devastating Ultra
II combo. Some fighters like Sagat and Gouken unleash massive
projectiles, while M. Bison settles for two gigantic flaming fists to
the gut.
Five new stages are available, including a Metro City
skyscraper, an African plain during a solar eclipse, and a busy street
in India. Each of these features plenty of animated onlookers and
animals, and rival any seen in IV.
Many fans of the series
were thrown off by the insane difficulty of IV's trials, and SSFIV
doesn't budge much in this regard. The trials are laid out more
specifically, with each section requiring you to perform a single move or combo instead of a gauntlet of them. Later challenges are
almost as difficult as the notorious ones from its predecessor, but
it's easier to jump directly to a combo that you want to attempt.
Street
Fighter II's re-releases on the Super Nintendo were full-priced and
didn't offer nearly what Super Street Fighter IV does. With ten new
characters, five new stages, dozens of new Ultra combos, and much
improved online support, any claims of this being a quick and easy
cash-in for Capcom will be hard to take seriously.
Take a look at the video below to check out almost eight minutes of direct-feed gameplay. If you missed yesterday's look at the opening cutscene and bonus rounds, click here.
[View:http://media1.gameinformer.com/media/video/2010/ssfivgameplay/Gameplaywmv.smil:610:343]
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