Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

"In comparison to other SFIII's. This one just blows."

Hum hum hum. Where can I begin? This game is okay on it's own. But compared to Double Impact's New Generation and 2nd Impact, this one isn't really worth it. You might only want to get this game to collect fighters or to complete the SFIII series as it currently is. Otherwise I say go get Double Impact instead. The extra amount of characters in this aren't really needed(except for Makoto) otherwise this is far uncessecary. But I guess it'll be easier if I break it down eh?

Graphics: This is just laziness. The backrounds are far too empty for some stages like Ibuki's and Elena's, otherwise they are quite good. The returning characters just have toned down looks from 2nd Impact. The detailing is weaker making only a few colors worth picking. The new characters have weak sprites also, the only one that looks good at best is Chun-Li's. She seems to be the one focused on the most, 2nd would be Makoto. The rest of the characters...pffft. I'd give a 8 without comparison and a 6 with comparison.

Music: Well...some tracks are good while others aren't. The raps are lame and don't seem to have their place in a Capcom game, I don't know what the point of that was but I feel it is far uncessecary. A good handful of the tracks aren't that good compared to NG and 2I but what I do like is the different mixes of them on different rounds, this is quite a nice touch, but the mixes stick with their music, by that I mean if the main track sucks, the mix sucks too. And the laziness continues, why do 6 of the characters share a stage and same music? One of the characters doesn't even have a stage but has music. ::sighs:: More laziness on Capcom's part. I'd give a 7 without comparison and a 4 with comparison

Sound/Voices: Another thing I wonder. Is it hard to keep the previous voice actors? They ruined my Alex!! Ibuki and Elena are now more annoying then ever, Elena being the most annoying. Sean's voice was horribly changed, as was Necro's. Dudley sounds a bit okay but I prefer his older voice. Gill's new voice doesn't fit him. Urien(and it's pronounced in the way you would say Julian) voice is somewhat better. Ryu's is worse. Ken's sounds the same. Akuma/Gouki is merely just grunts and stuff so his voice is easily mimicked. And well the sound effects....I really don't like them. Why did they have to change? Why couldn't they just keep those hard-hitting sounds from 2I? Now when you hit someone you just hear the attacked character yelling and a lousy way of glass breaking. I'd give a 5 without comparison and a 3 with comparison.

Gameplay: Same ol stuff. Some characters have changed moves so your combos might have to change. The only thing I can add to this is you have System Direction and Extra Options when you earn it so that you could change the rules and take the game to a new level. You can even build up your skills and take blocking off so you can rely on parrying game. This is a good way to get practice. I'd give an 8 without comparison and an 8 with comparison.

Fun Factor: Well I enjoy fighting games to the greatest extent. I like this game, but this review is based on comparison..and my opinion. I still play this game but I would rather play NG and 2I instead. This has too many things that irk me and thus I can't play it that much. I'd give a 7 without comparison and a 5 with comparison.

Plot: Dude...a Street Fighter game with plot? You must be kidding!!

Replayablity: To access the remaining pages for system direction, unlock Gill, and get Extra Options. Your going to have to play this game bunches of times. Least Capcom has some sort of way to keep you hooked. And when you get those things you can play by your own rules. Try it with your friends. I'd give an 8 with and without comparison.

Buy Or Rent?: Your decision. I doubt your going to completely finish the game in one rental. But I also doubt you want to buy this when you can get Double Impact with New Generation and 2nd Impact instead. I suggest you buy it. Why? I dunno it just feels right.

Overall: It could have been MUCHO better. This game really expresses Capcom's laziness. But it's a pretty okay game, but I wished they put as much effort in this one as they did with 2nd Impact. But I wonder...will they do what they did with SFII to this series? Well...only time will tell.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 05/22/01, Updated 05/22/01