Melancritic Reviews Super Street Fighter 4

Finally after years of waiting, fans finally got what they wanted, a new Street Fighter. The crowd raved, and following the tradition of most, if not all Street Fighter games, a short while later''Super Street Fighter 4'' was announced. Touted as being ''The Final Street Fighter 4'' This version brings in new characters, and some gameplay tweaks which were deemed unfair in the previous game. (Can anyone say Tiger Uppercut?). Being advised at a reduced consumer price, it would seem almost foolish not to get Super Street Fighter 4, however, each diamond has it's edges. Click ''Read More'' to read the entire review!



                     

Street Fighter is one of the world's most recognized fighting game series, and is definitely easy to pick up and play. Whether is it mashing buttons, or actually performing movements with skill, Street Fighter has always been a genre which was for everyone. The game get's as hard as YOU want to make it, which is always a preferable thing for the people with less experience or skill so to say. The same accounts for Super Street Fighter 4, whether you are completely unknown to the fighting game genre, or had substantial amount of hours in the arcade hall, Super Street Fighter 4 is a game for gamers of every skill level, which makes the target audience pretty broad.

 Also, people needn't frustrate over unlocking characters or stages, in Super Street Fighter 4, it works with a simple WYSIWYG principle. (What you see is what you get) Most important things are unlocked, namely characters, and stages. This means that the ''Pick up and play'' value is very high, you don't feel pressure to unlock anything, and can basically enjoy from the first time you start up the game. This is a big plus, as gaming will actually feel more as entertainment, and not as work. Of course, players will be rewarded (Cause it just makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it?) with titles and emblems which you can show off, or use to define yourself. Also, you get to customize your character with Taunts and Win Quotes as you play more with said character, so there is always something more to discover.

So at first glance, Super Street Fighter provides a good impression, but impressions aren't anything, let's move on to the gameplay. Now let's get this straight, if you tried out Street Fighter 4, and didn't like it, or if fighters in general just aren't your thing, then Super Street Fighter 4 isn't going to win you over. It REMAINS a fighter at its core. Got that? Good. The core gameplay remains fairly simple, with six buttons each representing a certain type of power of a punch or kick. Doing certain movements will make your character perform a special move, which can range from throwing out a fireball, to setting your opponent on fire.

Probably one of the most recognized moves in Fighting games this day.

Super Street Fighter 4 features a wide range of characters, and there is a character for almost every kind of playing style. Whether you are a defensive type of player, one that really hammers down the attack button, or if you prefer finesse or speed, Super Street Fighter 4 has it all, and with a cast of 35 characters, there is certainly a wide variety of options to choose from.  Unfortunately some characters can be considered clones of eachother, and it certainly isn't uncommon two find two characters who feel completely different and have a different fighting style, but who share the same moves nonetheless. While no special move is EXACTLY the same, with some characters you can certainly feel a kind of familiarity that cuts both ways. For example, if one would to try out the schoolgirl Sakura after spending some time with Ryu, one would notice a different playing style in Sakura, as in that she focuses more on speed and swiftness, but that her specials handle the same as Ryu. In a way it's good, because this allows for players to explore the entire cast without feeling alienated, but on the other side, it's also bad, because it can sometimes make you wish that characters were a little more unique.

With such a wide variety of characters, there is surely always one for you.

However, there are plenty of character which offer a playstyle unlike any other character, and there are some which truly lean on the edge of bizarre, so expect the cast of Super Street Fighter 4 to be filled with both uniqueness and variety. Another thing that Capcom did to further give all characters a certain flavor of uniqueness is give all characters another Ultra combo. You can perform our Ultra Combo when you get beat up sufficiently and your ''Revenge Bar'' Fills up half way. Super Street Fighter 4 gives every character two different Ultra combos, and you select which one to use in the fight when selecting your character. This personalizes your character just a little more, in a way that he or she will perform an ultra combo which YOU find cool to see, or which meshes best with your playstyle. The ultra combos always give a good feel of satisfaction when you land one, and some really leave you gaping in awe.

New jaw may or may not be included

As for more of the gameplay, there are a fair amount or options as always. There is a ''Story Mode'' for each character which involves his or her participation in the tournament, added with a small cut-scene in the beginning and the end. It's the same loose storyline that you can expect from pretty much all fighting games, and while some character's journeys become quite serious, other just participate in the tournament for the most absurd reason. Also included is VS mode, which is your standard bout against the AI or a Friend. Trials make you hone your skills which each character, teaching you combos and general tips and tricks. It's a great place if you want to know the ins-and outs of your preferred character, or if you just want to spar for a bit. 

Online is also vastly improved in comparison to the previous game. Super Street Fighter 4 features Ranked Match and Player Matches, which is dubbed ''Endless Battle'', in which you can join lobbies with up to eight other players and play according to a''Loser Swaps'' principle. Also, it is noted if whom you are playing with has a proper connection, which is always a plus in online gaming. Online also feature a tournament mode, which is your standard Knock-Out Tournament, and Team Battle, in which Team bouts can be held with a max of 4 VS 4. Just had an awesome match and want to watch that again? No problem! All your fights can be saved and viewed again in the replay channel, so even you machinima and youtube lovers can show off your skills. 

Another HUGE improvement in the online department is that players are motivated to play with all characters. In the previous game, you could bet your that you would encounter Ryu, Ken or Sagat and would be right 95% of the time. Now with several achievements and trophies which motivate online play with all characters, along with the rewards of emblems and titles, online is a much more pleasant experience, with plenty of variety here and there. Tweaks to each character also makes sure that the gameplay is very balanced. Of course, a character with a projectile will mostly have an advantage against characters who do not, which is the sad truth, but Capcom made sure the game feels mostly fair...mostly

The move that dominated Street Fighter 4, thankfully nerfed.

Overall Super Street Fighter 4 is one of the best fighters out there. With a large variety in cast, a really big ''Pick up and play'' value and with a fighting system that is as hard as you want to make it, this is the game to get/rent if you are interested in fighters, or are a long time fan of fighters. With the added reduced suggested retail price, fans of the series and both newcomers to the franchise are advised to at least check out this game!

Super Street Fighter 4 is available on the XBOX 360, PS3 and will be available on the Nintendo 3DS