Street Fighter 4: The triumphant return of the fighter

[DrSpike]

That's not really the title, but it should be.

I know there aren't many fighting fans on 'Poly (unless Zero is lurking) but man this looks awesome.

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/953/953770p2.html

The game goes back to SF roots with a slower paced game based around mindgames with your opponent. I haven't been this excited about a game for ages.

[Nikolai]

The old StreetFighter games were awesome. Hopefully this one will be too. What platforms does it come to?

[snoopy369]

I love simple fighting games... remember Golden Axe 2 or whatever? Played that with my not-yet-but-now-GF for ages in college (the actual arcade game, they had it in my dorm area). Original SF was wonderful also. Then they started adding more and more combos...

I love winning without knowing the combos (and thus, without doing them except by accident). That's a truly fun fighting game for me... (though combos occasionally can be fun )

[Zero]

I do like it, but i can't stand the rag doll like feel of the 3D in fighters. I guess I have to get used to it.

Regardless, its pretty much the only reason why I finally own the new generation console (xbox 360).

I probably won't get the madcatz stick along with it. It's being hyped as being really great with lots of effort and advice actually taken from serious fighting game community (and the stick does look like superb)... but with my previous experience with that typically subpar company and the fact I probably won't play like I used to.... not worth it. Maybe later.

I love winning without knowing the combos (and thus, without doing them except by accident). That's a truly fun fighting game for me...

Then you'd be happy to know that sf4 doesn't emphasize on combos as much. There's been a whole "reduce-the-complexity-of-execution-so-that-lower-level player-can-enjoy-the-same-metagame" movement headed by Sirlin lately.

[DrSpike]

I'm getting the TE stick - at least I am if the place I pre-ordered from gets any stock. I have the Hori EX2 stick but I don't really like it. The unresponsive buttons I could live with but there's a lot of play in the stick and it makes consistent dragon punches difficult.

The game looks really good though. I've been watching some more youtube vids today and I think they've struck a good balance between depth and accessibility. This is important I think for the community to build some momentum.

I've been trying to play some HF over XBLA to get back into shape, but it's really really bad. The ST HD remix is supposed to be much better but not sure it's worth it with SF4 about a week away from release.

[Asher]

It look like a great fighter. I'm just not the biggest fan of the genre these days, it's the same game I've played for decades but with different characters, moves, and controls....

[DrSpike]

I picked up the HD remix version of ST in the end as HF was just too laggy online all of the time. The job they have done with the netcode and lobby system is amazing - it is so smooth online. If SF4 can match that it will be an amazing game.

[Zero]

...

[Zero]

Ah yes online play. I love how HD remix was essentially entirely made of player's hard work and labor.

Game balancing - done by SRK community
Soundtrack - done by OC Remix community
Netplay - basically copied off GGPO

It's a good thing capcom left the community to decide what's best. Smartest move ever. Thank god.

[Theben]

I loved the original SFII and played it a lot. I usually don't get beat-'em-ups like this but I may change my mind for SFIV.

[DrSpike]

It's here!

Thoughts later.

[Zero]

<--- been playing, though console version is better.

[DrSpike]

Played it most of yesterday - it's great fun though the day was marred by some annoying disc read errors.

The feel of the game is actually very different to the older SF2 games. The models seem heavier which affects jump timing a bit, and the new focus attacks and ultra attacks change the gameplay. The focus attacks add a new layer of RPS and you can make some interesting combos with them, and unlike the super meter the ultra meter builds up as you get hit so games often go down to the wire.

The input method also makes it feel fresh, as there are lots of double presses (e.g. LK+LP to throw, two punches or kicks to do better special moves if you have enough super meter).

So whilst it will seem very similar to casual gamers (there are still fireballs, uppercuts, and most of the old gang is back) it's actually a decent evolution, probably bigger than the HF -> ST leap I'd say.

The challenge mode is fun and gives the SP game more life (as well as encouraging people to take on new characters), and the training mode is the best yet.

Minor quibbles: The models and backgrounds are awesome, but there's a lot going on on the screen and I'm still finding it hard to know if I've blocked or not sometimes. This is quite noticeable coming from HD remix. Also, the last boss is super cheap and not very memorable. But that's about it.

Will play more today, and test out the online more.

[DrSpike]

Been playing this more today, including some online. If you play people with 4 bar (or better, though never seen a 5 bar) connections then it's smooth. And the gameplay is super-mega-awesome.

[MrFun]

I remember my Super Nintendo days, playing Super Street Fighter.