Street Fighter x Tekken Review

Game Reviewed: Street Fighter x Tekken

Release Date: March 6th, 2012

Developer: Capcom / Namco

Publisher: Capcom

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360], PlayStation 3

Genre: Fighting

Rated: T for Teen

Who would have thought that after so many years, still today we would be hardcore fans of the Street Fighter series. It’s literally one of those games we grew up with and molded with us over the years. Capcom has taken on all challenges within, and outside the brand. Dearly noted would be the previous Marvel vs. Capcom, definitely one of the few on the totem pole of best fighting games.

Now, a challenger awaits as Tekken has accepted the latest battle of the best contestants. This is Street Fighter x Tekken, one of the craziest, face-paced action games to launch so far for 2012. It’s literally the best of the best between Street Fighter (Ken, Ryu, Bison, Guile) and Tekken (Marshall Law, Paul, Heihachi, Ogre) to see who will claim dominance.

Every game lately seems to take you through n00bville and assume this is your first go around, offering you the chance to learn some simple fighting moves through a tutorial. Street Fighter is no different, and learning the basic will help big time.

The gaming style preference to both Street Fighter and Tekken. The speedy, non-stop action is where Street Fighter always holds it’s definitive edge, where the tag mechanism and grapples were favored from Tekken. Even though the tag system is in play, it doesn’t work quite like Marvel vs. Capcom. It is more like Tekken Tag where when the first KO takes place, the round ends.

There’s are some pretty cool dialogues to open the game sessions. One of my favorites were the team of Heihachi and Kuma where Heihachi gives an opening speech and Kuma imitates everything he says and does. Another neat feature is Gems. There are Boost and Assist; boost help you in the heap of the battle with combos and such. Assist is more of a support option where it help you manage a bit of the damage. At anytime you can access online features, buy and customize Gems.

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When all is on the line and your 25% or less away from death, Pandora is the way to go. One would imagine this is what Yoshimitsu has been attempting to do all these years. It’s the ultimate sacrifice! When Pandora is done, you make your final tag, losing your player but gaining his health, extra strength and a unlimited cross gauge. A ten second countdown begins as all this SUPER supernatural abilities flow through you to finish your opponent. If you don’t manage to take the win, you automatically lose.

Graphics are eye-popping as always with the Street Fighter 3D themes and 2D gamestyle in place. It’s amazing seeing how easily the Tekken characters fit right into the roster. You can customize any players costume (color theme) to look the way you prefer.

Online gameplay is where the fun kicks in. If you’re expecting a lag fest, sadly it’s there. After an online patch is in, you’re in for an amazing online experience, besides when you’re one taking the beating that is. You can also show off nametags place default comments to increase your bragging rights.

As far as lasting impressions, Endless Battles and Scrambles, both a bit similar in game preference, is a great addition to the online feel. When it’s all said and done, enjoy all your online matches in the online collection. Every session is temporarily saved until you download them, similar to Call of Duty’s Theatre Mode. Host a lobby and allow friends to watch with you or even download your videos.

The only fault within a session of Street Fighter x Tekken is during one player enjoying alone time in versus mode. It used to be as simple as grabbing the second controller and tapping the start button. However, you’re required to back out to the Main Menu and work your way back into the Versus mode, adding the extra players. All a bit too strenuous.

Street Fighter x Tekken is hands down a must have fighting phenomenon. Steering away from the not so entertaining single player mode, SFxT is all what you’d expect from the Capcom crew. Namco is equally working on a Tekken x Street Fighter, which will turn the tides of gameplay. Could they be saving the best for last?

The Scores

Gameplay: 4.5/5

Visuals: 4/5

Audio: 4.5/5

Controls: 4/5

Value: 4.75/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5