Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown Review

Game Reviewed: Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown

Release Date: June 6th, 2012

Developer: SEGA

Publisher: SEGA

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360], PlayStation 3

Genre: Fighting

Rated: T for Teen

Can you imagine playing a fighting game nowadays with no special abilities? I’m talking no “Get Over Here’s,”  no “Hadoukens,” no fatalities? Just the heart and soul of how a fight started until the very end with each fighter’s own unique fighting style? Of course I’m talking about Virtua Fighter, so welcome to the Final Showdown!

Virtua Fighter 5  release about 5 years ago and displayed some amazing combative skills, all without specials, weapons, or tagging systems. Instead, each fight consist of KO’s or Ring Outs.

I want to start by saying that gamers of all ages will absolutely enjoy fighting the A.I. as well as friends and Virtua Fighting diehards across the globe. This is a simple button masher that anyone can catch on to. Enthusiast, however, may prefer to just master combo’s and claim dominance over competition.

Controls consist to three moves: punch, kick and guard. Plenty of combinations can be stringed together from simple button pressing, but as stated before, learning specifically how the controls are best used will give you full advantage in the long haul.

This online buy gives you access to a single player mode, allowing you to climb the ranks with your selected character; an offline versus mode, where you and a local friend can battle one on one; and online battle, where you showcase your skills to gamer all over the world.

Credibility matters to gamers, so when playing online, more challenges can be found through ranked matches rather than player or room matches. You’ll learn fast that it’s not about combos, it’s about timing your opponent. Online competitors know what you know and use it well. Tricking them will give you the upper hand to win.

After matches, you can rank or even record your victories to share with friends or show off, whichever fits the mood. Each win will also help you climb the ranks in the online leaderboard and earn battle points.

If you need to learn exactly how to string moves, the Dojo option is available with command training being your best guide. Start with the easiest moves and develop your abilities on a more complicated level.

Graphics are quite detailed, more the same as they’ve always been. Character models seemed to have dropped a bit in detail, though it’s something that may go unnoticed by most gamers. Still, characters and 3D stages still look as stunning as they should.

There’s also a terminal in the main menu that allows you to change the look of characters in the game. However, the price for costumes will prove to be pretty steep! Nonetheless, for Virtua Fighter  fans, no price point would matter. It’s all about fighting and looking good while doing it.

Gamers looking for that extra kick and special may not enjoy Virtua Fighter 5:Final Showdown as much, but I can promise you it’s well worth the buy. The same engine is used, which isn’t bad at all, as well as a few new characters added to the party. Enjoy yourselves as Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown is available now on XBOX Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

The Scores

Gameplay: 4/5

Visuals: 4.5/5

Audio: 3.5/5

Controls: 4.5/5

Value: 3.5/5

Overall Rating: 4/5