Bloody Roar 4

"Can't quite decide if you want the game just yet?"

First off let me start by telling you my rating system.

1. I rate very few games it takes an exceptional game for me to do so.

2. I don't like most fighting games

3. I grade them on what they had to work with and how they worked it.

Now let's start the review.

Alright this has been my favorite game series in the fighting world since I first played it. I liked the first one more than Tekken 3, the second one more than Tekken 4, the third one had no equal, now the fourth one is touchable.

What are you talking about???

I am talking about a game where the char. models are sweet, the gameplay is fast paced, and the combo system is insane.

Now real quick for those who haven't played any of these games yet. They aren't like normal games. Normal fighting games you can usually push buttons randomly and do the biggest combos no problem. With Bloody Roar 4 most of the button smashers get crushed due to a few good timed combos, beast drives, transformation combos, transformation counters, etc. The list goes on.

Graphics - 10. The char. models look fabulous, the moves look beautiful, the style is unique to all other fighters. They made a mistake though. The only thing I would change is have some cinematics (I haven't played the game long but I don't see any and they never really did have them in this series)

Sound - 8. The voices sound good, the dubbing appears to be a tad bit off, (uriko in the victory screen is the only one I noticed so far) and the music seems a little bland. The music is pretty good I just haven't really noticed it too much.

Gameplay - 10. You don't get many games like this. You have 2 attack buttons and 3 in beast modes right? Well each direction button you press changes the attack, and also I have seen more combos done in BR games than any other series in the genre. Also the new features for Beast has changed. Now instead of losing when life runs out you have to lose all life then beast gauge (you go to beast when you lose all life)

Style - 10. It completely has it's very own style. You attack with massive combos, transform into beast mode, do massive combos, then do a Beast Drive, then build up your gauge, etc... It is unlike any other game. All of the char. not only look great and have an individual fighting style that blends their char., but they also have Beast Forms that show you exactly why they act as they do.

Replay ability - 10. The replay ability has been added with career mode. You fight, get DNA points, get abilities, equip some, customize your char., play your customized char. wherever you want, spar in the sparring mode, train in the training mode, play the arcade mode, and you can even practice in practice mode. It will leave you with plenty of options to enjoy.

Overall - 10. You don't find many games with this type of dedication to change. It should be revolutionizing how fighting games play but unfortunately there aren't enough people that give the game a chance to truly appreciate it's splendor. Given a chance you should love this game more than any other fighting game.

I strongly suggest renting it first though or borrowing it. Even though it is a splendid game and I recommend it, there are plenty of people who don't give it enough of a chance. They don't realize what a gem this game is but I hope you will. Of course if you already like the 2nd or 3rd one more than any other series in the fighting genre get BR 4 because the char. haven't changed a bit but the quality has and I guarantee this will be your favorite BR ever.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/29/03