Review: Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3)

For years now Virtua Fighter 5 has shunned beat ‘em fashions such as weapons, multi-levelled arenas and guest cameos. Instead Sega AM2 is content to follow what it considers to be a truer course and offer an undiluted fighting system, which rewards dedication and skill of the player. It is quite simply the fighting series by which all others are judged.

Times have certainly changed as Sega fans realise, as normally releases in the Virtua Fighter series accompany the launch of a Sega console. Unfortunately those days are long gone, but at least this incarnation will also be heading to the Xbox 360 and hopefully attract a new generation of fans. While the series has the aura of an outdated and stubborn fighting experience, it does punch above its weight visually. In spite of a painful saving and set up process when first inserting the game disk (why this process takes an age is beyond Gamestyle), it is worth the wait as when first visuals appear onscreen in 720p they are impressive.

Gamestyle still fondly recalls the impact of Virtua Fighter 3, and the fifth instalment ups the ante in terms of detail and clarity. Each character is superbly implemented, complete with fluid animation and a range of attachments that can be unlocked via the Quest Mode. The levels themselves continue as solitary arenas but come in all shapes and sizes. Eye candy is very much a part of the agenda, with realistic rain, leaves and other environmental touches in essence showing off just what can be achieved nowadays. Shamefully as a player there is little opportunity to sit back and lap up each masterpiece, unless you let two CPU controlled characters go it alone via the TV mode.

Change comes slowly in this series, and as a concession each edition of Virtua Fighter includes a couple of new fighting characters (if we are lucky) to tempt experienced players away from their own particular favourites, or at least freshen up encounters and the air of unpredictability. This fifth instalment is no different as it delivers Eileen who specialises in Monkey Kung Fu, and El Blaze who offers wrestling in the form of the Lucha Libre fighting style. In total there are seventeen fighters on offer, which against rival releases may seem a little lightweight by comparison. However each offers a unique fighting style and a range of moves that few can match. Another new addition is the ability to side step an opponent and attack, whereas previously this was purely a defensive manoeuvre. This opens up bouts even more, rather than just fighting the middle ground or adopting a purely frontal defence. Now you have to think on so many more levels and pursue a more offensive approach.

The main screen for many will confirm the lack of options and playtime in Virtua Fighter 5. Such looks are deceiving, as it offers a complete fighting experience with multiple challenges and opportunities to perfect your range of attacks. It is the best reason along with Virtua Tennis 3 to purchase an additional Sixaxis controller, as VF5 is an offline experience. You can also watch movies of bouts or tailor your own training sessions as you seek to improve.

Arguably the main mode in the game is the Quest Mode where you take the role of a new fighter seeking to rise up the ranks of local arcades. Each location has a particular skill setting, and a wide selection of players with the top three being clearly indicated. At various times tournaments are also held, so you can also add trophies when you are not pursing ranking matches. Through victories your fighting status grows and opportunities to fight for items (cash, clothing etc) also arrives. This provides the opportunity to tailor your own character, but never to the depth or tackiness offered by Dead or Alive.

While it is enjoyable to continually improve your win/loss ratio the Quest Mode can only be considered a wasted opportunity. It regurgitates arenas from the main arcade mode, with no special environments being introduced for tournaments. Trinkets will not appeal to the majority of players or the work that is required to acquire the most worthwhile character items. Then there is the constant stream of challengers that appear, with no option to take a break or head back to the mode screen. Instead you have to fight until defeated or a tournment is announced. So while you can rack up a continuous streak of victories, and rise rapidly up the ranks there are times when you wish to take that time out for a cuppa. A feeling of repetition also begins to set in with the same fighters appearing during these prolonged fighting sessions. Gamestyle at times could actually win some of these bouts with our eyes closed.

As a fighting experience Virtua Fighter 5 is unsurpassed, where the series goes from this point is open to debate. It is crying out for some form of online functionality or a decently implemented career mode. However while that fighting system is still in place it will remain a worthwhile, challenging and prolonged experience. 

Rating: 8 / 10

Words by Jason Julier