Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown

Just a bunch of alternate costumed Goofs

   Hey what's happening guys and gals? Today I want to take a quick look at Sega's “Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown.” Now I don't claim to know much about fighting games. Sure I can button mash with the best of them, but I am not a skilled fighting game player. I don't own a fighting stick, and I've never counted frames before. I just want to explain that this review is coming from a layman's standpoint. While I've had some great memories playing other iterations of Virtua Fighter, I am by no means a master. So does this new edition of Virtua Fighter manage to rekindle those old memories? I guess you'll have to read to find out.

 

     

  Virtua Fighter 5 :Final Showdown is an updated release of the 2006 game Virtua Fighter 5. Unlike the original release, Final Showdown can only be obtained through downloadable services such as Playstation Network or Xbox Live. While the core of the game remains the same, the new release comes with a few interesting changes for long time fans. 

You've come a long way old boy.

    For those who don't know, Virtua Fighter dumps all of the flashy moves seen in Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter, for something a bit more realistic. Sure characters still jump 50 feet in the air when fighting, but you won't see any fireballs or other forms of spammed projectiles. The game feels different from most fighters as it doesn't rely on heavy button combinations, but rather implores the player to learn timing. It's not about how hard you hit, or how many buttons mash, but when to throw a punch. The only three buttons in Virtua Fighter are a punch, a kick, and a block command. It's a hackneyed phrase but Virtua Fighter is easy to jump in, but difficult to master.

Don't say Honda

    New to Final Showdown is the addition of two new characters. The new faces include Taka-Arachi is a sumo wrestling fan favorite who was left out of the original version of VF5 for balance purposes, and the fast kicking karate master Jean. The new characters are nice additions, but you will probably find a character you feel comfortable with and end up sticking with them throughout your experience.

      As you may expect from any modern fighting game, Final Showdown includes various different modes to get your fisticuffs on. Arcade mode is obviously present, allowing you to run through numerous opponents on the way to a cheap final boss. Score Attack and License Challenge are new modes for series veterans. In Score Attack you run through opponents while trying to chain together combos for points, while in License Challenge you take on opponents while trying to fulfill specific goals. These new additions aren't really game changers, but they are still fun as a result of the fluid and responsive fighting system. There is also a Dojo which allows you to test your skills and learn new commands and combinations. The Dojo is really helpful if you are unfamiliar with the basics, as it guides you through all you really need to know. 

I WILL NEVER BE THIS GOOD

   

   Of course any new fighting game needs online multiplayer, and Final Showdown finally extends your Virtua Fighter experience across the globe. While I'm nowhere near good enough to play this game online, I did manage to beat at least one other chump in my way. The game does a decent job of matching you up with players of your own skill level, so you won't always get destroyed. While I prefer to play offline with friends, online is great for those of us want to play other people without actually having to smell them. 

   All in all Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown is a fantastic package for new and old fans alike. While the character models may look just a bit dated, the fighting still feels as satisfying as ever. You will find yourself grinning from ear to ear with every punch, kick, and successful parry. If you already own the original VF5 then you may want to weigh the new content against the fifteen dollar price tag, but if you don't own the original than this updated version is absolutely worth your investment. 

Hellz Yeah

   Well that's that guys! I hope you enjoyed. I kept this one pretty short because there wasn't really a lot to say. It's a great game go play it! If you have any questions or comments be sure to leave them below! As always keep yourselves safe and I'll see you next time.