Classic Street Fighter gameplay wrapped up in a stunning visual package (Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360))

Member Name: bigkahunaburger

Product:	Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360)
Date:	10/06/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic Street Fighter with more characters, moves and excellent graphics

Disadvantages: Very Challenging- especially for the beginner

Street Fighter 4 is a re envisioning of a classic game. The series has a special place in the hearts of gamers the world over and this latest version doesn't disappoint. This is a very challenging game however, and it is important that you know what to expect before you hand over your cash.

The first thing you notice are the striking cell shaded visuals. This sees 3d environments and character models, fighting on the traditional 2d plane that you may remember, and it is this that helps contribute to the games classic feel. The animation is integral to the games visual style and it is fast, fluid, and doesn't fail to impress. Whereas Tekken and Soul Calibur feature 3d movement, Street Fighter IV sticks to the classic gameplay formula. The visual style may not be to everyone's taste but with such impressive animation, exquisite character models and colourful backdrops, the visuals do look truly next gen. The music and sound effects are also outstanding and brought back so many good memories.

The traditional 6 button gameplay is all present and correct, as are the original Street Fighter 2 cast (plus some new additions). You do need to put the time in with the game to get the most from it. Learning and executing moves isn't always easy and the issue is exasperated with the inadequate d-pad on the 360 controller. The Street Fighter 4 control pad or arcade stick are really required to get the most from this version of the game, and that can make things expensive. The game can be very frustrating at time but it does keep you coming back for more. It may be a cliche but its fair to say that the game is easy to learn but tough to master.

If you are a fan of Street Fighter then the game is a dead cert. With a price tag of £20 brand new (at time of writing), it is hard to not recommend Street Fighter 4 to new and past players alike. Beware of the difficulty level but remember that the deep, rewarding gameplay is worth the effort.

Street Fighter IV delivers solid, balanced gameplay and plenty of mileage when multiplayer is taken into account. Challenging but ultimately very rewarding, Street Fighter fans of old and newcomers like will find a lot of fun to be had here.

Summary: Easy to learn, tough to master. Re envisioning of a classic