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]