Virtua Fighter Review by: G@mehe@d - 9/10
Virtua Fighter (Sega 32X) review!NOTE: Before reading, I'm going to let you know that I will not add the difficulty level. As difficulty is talked about in the gameplay.
INTRO: Oh Virtua Fighter what an amazing game. I might have not been alive at the time this game came out, but believe me I was impressed when I first played the arcade game. Originally starting in the arcade. Virtua Fighter was the first fighting game to use 3D polygons. At the time of its release, 3D graphics were just beginning to get popular, and given the raw power of an arcade machine. You can do some incredible things. After its release, the game was ported onto the 32X in 1995. Its a scaled down port in some respects, but looks similar to the arcade. It showed the power of the 32X, plus the game had extra goodies within it. Now lets get to the review!
Gameplay A: So hows the gameplay? I say excellent. Virtua Fighters unique feel, and play style are so good. That even the AVGNs mini review of it in his 32X review can't get anybody to not want to play this game. Unlike other 2D fighters, Virtua Fighter uses only 3 buttons. Punch, block, and kick. Don't let the simplicity fool you though. As technique and skill is required to beat this game. There is NO button mashing in Virtua Fighter. It might work in the beginning, but soon your opponents will kick your butt while you are trying to get a hit. Again TECHNIQUE IS REQUIRED! Each fighter has a different fighting style that makes them fun to fight. It never gets frustrating because when you lose its not because of irritating AI. Its because you failed to use the proper technique. Hence the term "Virtua Fighter." The controls in this game are not to bad. While they are kind of slow compared to 2D fighters. They are responsive and perfect for a realistic fighting game. Also powerful special moves are easy to execute, but don't expect fatalities or fireballs coming out of someones hands. There are other modes but I will talk about them in a later section.
Graphics B: While revolutionary for the time. Virtua Fighters low polygon graphics have not aged well. Don't get me wrong they are not ugly like the early texture mapped titles, but its hard to like the blocky characters, and the square fighting field. They look better then the Saturn port, but still the graphics don't look as good as they once did. However, there are some impressive effects in this game. For example light sourcing is used. The backgrounds look pretty and add atmosphere to each area. Overall this port looks better then the Saturn version but has that ugly feel of an early 3D game.
Sound B+: The sound is great for a 32X game. This game pumps out the slightly upgraded sound performance, like real drum kits, clear digitized speech, and crisp realistic sound effects. Some of the music is quite good, however some of it is lacking. It is quite dramatic, and definitely couldn't have been done on the Genesis itself.
Addictiveness A: With an addictive arcade mode, and several "one more time" kind of modes. There is no end to the Virtua Fighter madness. The fun gameplay, and unique feel. Give Virtua Fighter a lasting appeal.
Depth A-:This port of Virtua Fighter has a crap load of new features, and options. There are 4 different modes. Arcade mode, where you face off all the challengers like the arcade with infinite continues. VS mode, where you fight a friend in random locations! Tournament mode, where you fight your friend and other computer players in a tournament like fashion! NOTE: 2 players are required! Finally we come to ranking mode where you try to fight as many opponents as possible. Once you lose a match, your ranking will come up along with other stuff. Adding to the modes, is a bunch of options. Like changing the difficulty on your opponents, changing the size of the arena, changing the timer length, the works. You can also change camera angles, and watch replays.
Overall Opinion: Virtua Fighter is just as enjoyable as it was back in the day. The 32X port makes an already fun and enjoyable arcade game into a masterpiece. In fact I loved it on here so much. That I bought it sealed in a box for 10 bucks :D (what a deal). The added options are nice, and graphics have a certain charm that will never be matched. This was the first entry in a huge franchise! So for those of you who think the 32X is a piece of garbage. Give this game a try, and see what the 32X REALLY offers!
Overall Rating A- Graphics
8 Sound
9 Addictive
8 Depth
7 Difficulty
7
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