Virtua Fighter 5???
To call this game an add-on is a massive understatement. To any other fighting game series, this would be a completely new game, and it would have a higher number attached to it. Virtua Fighter 4 truly has evolved, to the point where it feels like I'm playing a totally new game. It has everything a sequel could possibly be: two new characters, enhanced graphics and a few new modes. Anywhere else, this would be called Virtua Fighter 5. But the folks at Sega have brought this remarkable game to us at the even more remarkable price of twenty American dollars. Is this in every right a sequel. So, have you played the original? If so, you'll want this game to play with the new characters and massive quest mode. Did you play the original, but felt the combat was simply beyond your grasp? Try the beginners mode. Have you never played the original? Shame on you.
At its core, this is the definitive fighting game. It is without question the fastest experience to be had if you're into fighters, and also the deepest. Characters strike with lightning quick moves, block them, evade them, go for throws, reverse throws. If you wanted to, you could go an entire match without damaging either fighter, and it would still look like a masterpiece as the fighters dance around the arena. Unlike most fighting games, the combat never stops. If someone blocks your throw, you better be prepared for the counter-attack, which is blockable if you're quick enough. You can attack, block and evade with a smoothness that's hard to describe. No other fighting game has come close to capture the ferocity of a real fight with the martial arts.
Each character is very unique, and the cast is increased with addition of the kick-boxing Brad Burns and the flat out creepy Goh Hinogami, who dabbles in judo. A lot of fighters introduce new characters that have similar movesets to already existing characters. This is hardly the case here, as I thoroughly enjoyed these new characters and what they bring to the series. Atop of these fighters, you have the already classic Akira, Wolf, Kage and the Bryants. All the fighters have their own unqiue fighting style, and each one will take you a while to master. Mastering a fighter in this game is far more rewarding than in others, and you'll see why as the game progresses.
The mode you'll most likely be spending most of your time in is called Quest Mode. Replacing Kumite mode from the original, Quest Mode is seriously all that and more. While Kumite mode had you working through endless stages of opponents with no clear goal in site, Quest Mode is the exact opposite. Your goal is to become the best fighter in the city, and to do that, you'll have to fight your way through various arcades. You will be brought to a map, and you'll be able to select an arcade, and the tournament being held their. But not so fast. Yo have to earn the right to fight in that tournament. This is done by completing a goal that is set for you. For example, you may have to win a total of 30 matches at that particular arcade, or complete 50% of the arcade mode, all from that singular arcade. So while you're building up your confidence and skills through this system, you're also being constantly rewarded and taught to keep you from losing interest.
Every so often, there will be a ranking match, and if won, the player is able to move up in the ranks. This is a good way to keep track of your progress, and of your opponents as well. Each opponent is unique with a name and record of their own, so you'll probably fight the same guy (or girl) a few times. You'll also be able to win prizes from some fights, in the form of either money or items. With these two things, you are able to customize your fighter however you see fit. You can win necklaces, sunglasses, bracelets, and some objects far more extreme. You can change the color of your fighters hair, their eyes, even their outfit. It really makes it fun, and keeps you going even if you start to do badly. As I said above, the game also teaches the player as more progression is made. At each arcade are Quest Orders. These give you a specific task to do, and once you do it, you'll be rewarded with more money. Such tasks are evading a certain number of attacks or defeating a certain character. This is extremely fun, and it teaches you the basics of the game as well.
There is the standard Arcade mode, which becomes quite useless with all the arcades in Quest Mode. Beginners will probably start here, and it offers a decent challenge. But there's really nothing to be done here, so most players will probably ignore this section. The VS. mode obviously lets you fight against another human being, which is great fun. The level of fun increases ten-fold when you have an opponent that actually knows what he's doing. It's very fast, and very exciting. With the Training mode in this game, there is no reason why any player can't be a fantastic player. The Training mode offers everything it possibly could, from free practices, to character-specific moves and a command list that shows you the basic rules of offense and defense. When I say basic, I actually mean deep. It shows you everything you could possibly need, from blocking a series of attacks that forces you to switch defenses to bouncing off the ground to minimize damage. If you ever feel your skills are starting to slip, come here and you'll do fine again.
Even with all these huge additions to the main game, the graphics have received a facelift as well. Stages are much more clear and entertaining. For example, Jeffry's boring beach stage now takes place at sunset. It isn't much, but it looks a lot better. I found it surprising that every single stage in the game has made some sort of an improvement. The fighters are now much more detailed, which is an astounding feat in it's way. The fighters flow with a grace that no other game, let alone fighting game, has every managed to capture. Watching Lei Fei twirl around in his robes in truly a sight to see.
The sound is another thing altogether. I can't say that it has been improved upon, but that's only because it was good enough already. When you hit your opponent, there's a loud clap of sorts, not a huge explosion of light. Characters will cry out triumphantly after a big move, and you can hear them grunting as they try to position you into a throw. The sound effects combine to make the experience as realistic as possible, and it succeeds admirably. The soundtrack is good, but I can guarantee you won't be paying much attention to it. It has a very fast beat to it, which is perfect for this game.
The replay is astronomical, if you really think about it. Completing the game to 100% would mean going through quest mode with every single character. I doubt many gamers are up to the task, since it is fairly difficult. But going through Quest Mode with a single character will take some time, especially if you slow down and do everything there is to do. There are also some new fighting mini-games that test our prowess, and are ridiculously fun.
In all rights, this game really should be called Virtua Fighter 5. After playing a game like this, my standards for a fighting game has been raised to an improbable heights. After seeing Tekken spew out the same game for years, it's nice to see a fighting game with some true innovation. Not only is this the best fighting game on the PS2, it's the best fighting game ever created. And that is no small accomplishment.
Gameplay- 10/10
If you're into fighters, it doesn't get any better. The Quest Mode is huge and immensely entertaining.
Graphics- 10/10
Everything from the original got a facelift, so an already pretty game got even prettier.
Sound- 9/10
An excellent soundtrack, but you'll be too busy fighting to even pay attention to it.
Replay- 10/10
If you want to do every possible thing, my hat is off to you. For the rest of you, this game will keep you busy for a really long time.
Final Score: 10/10