Foreword:

This game is the latest installment to Capcom’s tradition that spans almost twenty years. Prior to it’s introduction, a lot of fans had been dying to know how the game would turn out considering that the game was being designed to run on two of the most sophisticated consoles to date, the Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3. Will the game be featured in a 3D game engine? Will there be new features and characters that will drive the series even further? These were just some of the questions that were being asked among the many people awaiting its release.

Finally the game was released to the delight of many who just couldn’t wait to get their hands on the latest Street Fighter Series. Were they delighted or disappointed? Actually the answer to that would depend on their expectations. During its development phase, Capcom had gambled on staying true to the origins of the series by not deviating from the 2D Platform. They instead focused their attention in introducing new game mechanics that will improve the game experience and introducing new characters that were a lot of fans found to be a welcomed addition to their roosters.

If you had been playing the previous version of the Street fighter series, you would pick this game up very quickly. The same concept is in use, two fighters pitting their skills and powers against each other. Each fighter sporting unique abilities, in order to prove that he is better than the other. This game is ideal for gamers who had developed affection for the origins of the Street fighter series and whose expectations on the latest installment are built around expanding the key features of the game. To these people, Street Fighter IV had done exactly that. The game introduces new unique characters that add further to its immersive and colorful story line. New game mechanics were introduced, the most notable is called the focus system, which you can use to power up your character’s offensive and defensive capabilities. The videos in the game are based on anime art that will surely please anime fans everywhere. The game was considered a success in this regard and had generally secured high ratings in the video game industry.

However, it can’t be denied that there are also a considerable number of disappointed people. To them the game had come out as nostalgic. Expectations were high for the series, the biggest of which was that they would take advantage of their respective platform’s enormous graphics capabilities. They wanted something radical and unique while still clinging true to the concept of the game, that of two fighters proving themselves that they are the best. Despite Capcom’s best efforts of fine tuning the 2D game engine, the mere fact that it was still a 2D engine, was a major disappointment to them altogether.

Street Fighter IV had also set provisions for online play for gamers who are into the network. Our experience in online play was quite impressive, except for the occasional glitches in the middle of the game. Personally, I’d rather check the local competition though, because no matter how fast your connection is, your opponent’s game play may come out different from yours.

+Ves:

• Immersive and impressive storyline
• Fluid and fast paced game dynamics
• New game mechanics such as the Focus system
• A lot of new characters (Abel, Crimson Viper, Rufus, El Fuerte and more)
• Stable online performance

-Ves:

• A considerable number of players find it nostalgic ( You will find no significant innovation in the gaming scene here)

Final Word:

No one, not even Capcom can please everybody. There are times when you would need to compromise. Capcom has done considerably well standing by their decision in staying true to the 2D platform. The many elements they had introduced in the latest series had indeed pleased a lot of its fans. However, the fact that there are people who found it to be a disappointment should pose a challenge to Capcom to introduce something unique and undeniably remarkable to chase that nostalgic feeling that has been plaguing a considerable number of players.