Street Fighter IV – Home Version Update

I don’t usually mention my choice of platform, but I suspect on this occasion it will make a few differences. I sided with the PS3 version because my play time overlaps with more online friends on PSN, and in Japan I suspect there will be more online players. The PS3’s d-pad also is far superior to the 360’s, not that this is a huge factor for me I have a cheap Hori stick. While I prefer the stick I have tried the controller and find it more than satisfactory, so guest won’t be at too much of a disadvantage. The other difference (and I have no evidence for this it is just a suspicion) is that the 360 version would suffer less from the load times I am experiencing in the PS3 version. Having been spoilt by my time in Japanese arcades the ten second loads between matches is excruciatingly frustrating.

For the most part the game mechanic is unchanged from the arcade version. The extra characters and backgrounds are welcome, though I am not sold on some of the choices. Personally I would have preferred to see some SF3 characters making and appearance to bolster the roster over those from Alpha/Zero. Rose never appealed to me and Seth’s existence still seems like a huge mistake.

That said Seth’s presence as a playable character is not an issue for me, as it seems unlikely that I will ever get around to unlocking him. Yes, the games new characters have to be unlocked. They are obtainable only through the single player, some with conditions to their acquisition. It’s an outdated mechanic and an annoyance for those who only want to play online but are forced into the solo game for several hours.

Capcom didn’t only spend their time on character and backgrounds. People who played in the arcade will also notice that the characters are more balanced than in early versions of the arcade build. Sagat is no longer as god like as he was six months ago. Indeed every character I have unlocked and played with possesses enough moves in their arsenal to hold their own making online games feel fair. And by ‘fair’ I mean you can’t blame the game for the fact you suck.

Strangely though it is not what is added to the arcade game but what is carried over which is exciting. The arcade mode has the option to turn on ‘drop-in’ matches. This enables you to play the single player game while allowing other players to challenge you at any point. This is similar to being in a Japanese arcade in that you never see your opponent and there is a strong possibility you’ll get your arse kicked. It is an amazing addition to the game. It removes the need for a lobby if want to quickly get into a game.

Though this option is fantastic the online isn’t perfect. One possible problem for some people (and I could be wrong about this I can’t translate all the menus) will be that you don’t seem to be able to filter players in the arcade game mode. Fine for some but lacking the option is an oversight in the current online gaming environment where people want the ability to control their experience. It is also lacking tournament options and lobby features present in HD Remix’s online play. While there is a tournament patch in the works, for some this is seems to be something of a false start.

It is impossible for me to separate SF4 from my nostalgia for the series. For me the Street Fighter games remain among my favorite and this is one of its most polished iterations with a beautiful art style. It feels like Street Fighter. Players of the previous titles will find many of their skills will carry over but the addition focus attacks and two special bars add a new layer of complexity to the classic game-play. Personally I whole heartedly recommended it but I do admit I will be interesting to see if new comers to this classic gameplay find it as satisfying.