Techtite Game Reviews ---

Finally, reviewers can give a reason to buy a PS3 that doesn't have "Fall of Man" in the title! Simply put; Virtua Fighter 5 is the definitive fighting game for the newest generation of consoles. It does everything right, that XBox 360's Dead or Alive 4 did so very wrong, around one full year ago. In short: things are looking very good for Playstation 3...again: finally.

Why the "jab" at DOA4? Anyone who read my review knows why. In an age when the 360's good games could be counted on one hand, out comes the supposed jewel in the 360's launch day crown: DOA4. Only problem was it was delayed...and when it came out, there was little sign as to why. One; the game had barely any extras to unlock for each character, aside from "blue costume nearly identical to original costume." Second; the final boss was totally annoying, and frankly, was a dirty cheater. Third: Story Mode was ridiculous! One girl's "finale" had her celebrate her victory by making a salad....and for all those who don't like me constantly mentioning it: no, I will never say enough against Kasumi's Salad Finale.

True, DOA fanboys will retort by saying that VF5 lacks any "Story Mode" at all. They may also call me a bit of a hypocrite, if I did not chop at least half a star off on this game for a lack of a decent story mode, as I did DOA4, for a totally laughable story mode. I did. This game would bring Tekken and Soul Calibur to its knees if it shows us, say, why we should love to fight as what's-his-name as much as Jin Kazama. As I've said many times, both online and off: it helps a fighting game when we know why the fighters are fighting so vehemently. When we know that an old man is fighting for the money to cure his granddaughter, we love the character even more. When we learn that Jin Kazama is constantly struggling with the (literally) evil genes inside of him, we love to help him fight against his foes even more. It's not a major flaw; it just isn't a "total" game without it.

Yet what game there is, can still "wow" the fighting game fans, if they allow it to. This is a fighting game that is as complex, or as simple, as you want it to be. Much like a "real" fight in an arena, two casual fighters can be pretty evenly matched, as well as two veterans of Virtua Fighter, yet try to pit an expert against a novice, and it's no contest. This is different from most other fighting games, where a strategic newcomer could actually beat an expert in the game, with just the right timing of blocks and quick kicks. Yet at the same time: there are no "definitive" fighters here, where everyone chooses player X because of his/her super power move. An expert fighting gamer who plays as Akira should be evenly matched with a similarly expert fighting gamer, who chooses any other character. In a sense, that is the most important part of any fighting game, in that everyone's fairly matched.

Extras are what make any fighting game more fun. A "Quest" mode simulates a typical Virtua Fighter gamer going from arena to arena (or is it arcade to arcade?) to win against various opponents, while winning various extras along the way, like costume accessories for characters. With four different costumes for each of 17 characters, let's just say, you'll be replaying this game for awhile. The best news: these are indeed separate costumes, and not simply "the same costume in a different color" or "the same costume with short sleeves."

One seemingly minor option that I really liked was the "optional audio commentary." Click this to "on" in the options menu and a pair of sports reporters discuss the fight as it progresses. True, their comments are dependant on your actions, so if you keep using the same hold, throw, or guard stance, they will start repeating themselves. Still; this is the first time I've seen any fighting game attempt a commentary on-the-fly as you fight, and it's an enjoyable enhancement I'd love to see, um, "enhanced," in later sequels.

Yet what this game really does right, in the long run, is how it was designed exactly how its fans wanted, and nothing more. This is a fighting game by lovers of fighting games, for lovers of fighting games. If such lovers of fighting games forgot story mode, well; maybe they were too busy making a fighting game, and less concerned with showing us the female fighters in her panties. Don't get us wrong, here. While we're amused at those "other" games that have the ladies giggle as they (ahem) jiggle, that isn't a core part of a fighter game, is it? You bought a fighting game. That's what you get here. Fighting is easily done, with very responsive controls. Animation and frame rate is smooth and beautiful. In short; this is the definitive next generation fighter game.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. Short of a decent "story mode" to even things out, I can't think of a single addition that could've been made here.
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Virtua Fighter 5

A Techtite Review