"The best fighter to date!"

For someone like me, who is sick of the button mash fests found in many of todays fighting games, Virtua fighter 4: Evolution is a wonderful breath of fresh air. I am forced to use strategy and go through the wonderful training mode, opposed to starting up the single player mode and hitting random buttons, knowing long combos and strong moves will be done inspite of my lack of knowledge. While you may be frustrated at first with the relatively state gameplay, it will be worth it in the end when you have mastered dozens of moves and strategies and are able to beat VF4: E newbies into the ground as they vainly try winning through button mashing and useing simple strategies. It's also very fun to watch two good players go at it...

Although the game is nothing more than a upgrade of the PS2 exclusive Virtua fighter 4, which I'll admit I never played, it's still worth it, even for those who bought VF4, because Evolution was released with a $20 greatest hits price tag! However, Evolution does add plenty to Virtua Fighter 4, like two new characters, a quest mode to replace, and better, VF4'S Kumite mode, The best training mode in any fighter ever perhaps, unlockable cosmetic items, a improved graphical engine adding to the already amazing visuals of VF4, and much much more.

Many may ignore VF4: E in favor of the more hyped up, prettier, more well known Soul calibur II. After seeing 25 SC2 commercials and no VF4: E ones, then finding shelf after shelf of SC2'S but 3-4 VF4: E's in the back could nudge many gamers to SC2, no? VF4: E was not given a big, hyped release, but I find it much deeper than SC2. They are hard to compare, as the style of fighting is somewhat different. You'll have to find out which you prefer.

Now let's give this game the numbers.

Graphics: 10/10

Graphically, it's the best PS2 game I have, and one of the best i've ever seen on the PS2. The improvements made on VF4'S graphics are plenty to leave my jaw open. Perfect score. No question. Almost as good and Soul calibur II's visuals.

Sound: 9/10

I barely paid attention to this, but the background music is cool. Not something I think is a big deal, but it's good. American voices get annoying, but the japanese ones are good.

Story: n/a

I have no idea what the stories are. IT'S A FIGHTER, WHO CARES...errr...yah. I never bothered to look at the stories. You may if you want to, but I haven't had the time.

Gameplay: 10/10

Here we go. This is where VF4: E shines. First off, button mashing=bad. You'll get through the first couple of fights, but will soon find training and combo mastering required. Two buttons punch, one kicks, and one blocks. Sounds simple, and it is, but you find HUGE move lists and tons of replay with one character. Then you can play with the other 14. Quest mode is amazingly deep as well. I could go on and on. This would definitly be a game to be stuck on a deserted island with.

Secrets and extras: 9.9/10

Each character has tons of cosmetic items you can buy with gold won from matches. Practically everything on the character can be changed to suit your taste. Getting all the items will keep you playing for a while. I was tempted to give it a ten, but SC2's buyable items that change the fighter's style have really put it to shame, so i'll say 9.9.

Final verdict: 10/10

For giving me a breath of fresh air in the fighting genre and keeping me busy for weeks, i'll give it a perfect score.

+Training mode
+Amazing graphics
+Deep quest mode
+Tons of replay value
+So many moves
+Good sound
-Not for casual gamers

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/07/03