Classic fighting game is back better than ever

When the first Virtual Fighter appeared at arcades in 1993 was part of a revolution in the game industry, offering three-dimensional graphics and characters more skilled in the martial arts. Though it was difficult to use the special features to knock down an opponent, the game mesmerized players.
Virtual Fighter 4: Evolution, the latest edition, has new features and new tricks for each character, so even old hands have to learn something. The game still includes massive energy-draining combos, but the characters are better able to defend against such attacks.
Another striking feature of the fourth edition is that the game’s artificial intelligence is advanced enough that characters are able to adapt to one another’s fighting styles as a bout progresses. Players will be surprised at how moves that had been racking up points become almost useless.
Other than the head-to-head mode, players can go on a quest, traveling to different cities and winning prizes, which can eventually be used by a player to create his own character.
Virtual Fighter 4 adds two new scrappers to its lineup: Brad Bruns, a kickboxer, and Goh Hinogami, a gothic judo master.
Bruns may look a lot like Steve Fox from Tekken 4, but Bruns has powerful kicks that drain the opponent’s energy.
Goh has a vast arsenal of grappling moves, making him one of the most effective characters once you master the controls to execute his moves, which is no easy task.
To really enjoy this game, a player needs to use a joystick similar to the ones used at game arcades. Thumb-oriented controllers are cumbersome. Mastering several moves that I could have easily accomplished with an arcade-style joystick took several hours. If you find yourself hooked on this game, which you will, investing 40,000 won ($34) in a joystick will be money well spent.

Virtual Fighter 4: Evolution

Category: Fighting
Players: Two
Difficulty: Hard
Platform: PS2
Publisher: Sega
Rating: * * * * *

by Lee Ho-jeong