The ultimate fighting game (Tekken 5 (PS2))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Tekken 5 (PS2)
Date:	05/09/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb visuals and gameplay

Disadvantages: None

By the fifth game in the series, one would think that the Tekken series is just running on empty, but somehow, it manages to keep wowing us with enhances visuals, extremely fun gameplay, and a cast of characters, old and new, that are well-developed and have unique and interesting backstories. This game very much feels like a summation of the previous ones, with its huge roster list (including most of the main players from the previous games), and some minor gameplay refinements. The game has also borrowed from the likes of Soulcalibur, in that you can now "level up" your fighter from an unknown to a grand master through repeatedly winning fights (although you can also be demoted if you lose a lot!)

Much like the previous games, it is an impressive visual achievement, and the environments and fighters are very well rendered, with even small blades of grass now having their own system of physics, and again, the character animations are amazingly realistic. Also, the fighting effects themselves, whilst over the top, are gloriously so, and befit the already over the top, brutal style of the game.

No expensive, of time or money, has been spared in making this the ultimate Tekken experience - every character has numerous outfits and other add ons that you can purchase with money made in the Arcade mode. What's more, there's the option to play all of the previous Tekken games, which really makes this a game with value for money, although I was slightly disappointed that a lot of the cutscenes had been removed, sadly.

This is a fighting game that has real depth, and is jam packed with both enough characters and other features to keep you occupied for months. If you do manage to level up every character, well...you probably have too much time on your hands, but well done!

Summary: Magnificent