ULTRA STREET FIGHTER IV

I remember myself five years ago buying the retail version of Street Fighter IV and being hooked for hours trying to see each character's finale and unlock all the hidden fighters in the title. Truth be told, it wasn't the first time it happened... it happens with every new release of the classic fighting game. I may always vote for the latter in the eternal Street Fighter vs Mortal Kombat debate, but that doesn't change the fact that the street fighter series has written its own unique history in video games. So it's been a long time since the first Street Fighter IV, and in the meantime, improved versions (Super and Arcade) and numerous DLCs have been released. For all of us (and more) who just stuck with the original title, it's finally time to return to it with an "all in one, neatly packaged" package.

Why are two girls beating the crap out of each other? Talk about it over some coffee!

Ultra Street Fighter IV includes all the DLCs from the original title but also adds new content and offers significant improvements. So you'll find six new stages to beat the shit out of your opponents, five new fighters and three brand new game mechanics. Of the new fighters, four of them were previously featured in Street Fighter X Tekken and they are Elena, Hugo, Rolento and Poison. Here comes a new challenger, then, and the all-new fighter is called Decapre, to round out the now-rich roster of 44 characters. Personally she reminded me of Cammy in a mask, she looks a lot like a super hero, but has an extremely wide range of moves (some of the hardest to execute even) and relies on fast attacks. She's definitely an original character that is worth playing as.

The new game mechanics add new strategies to a game that already had a fullness to its gameplay. The red focus is quite reminiscent of the focus move. At the cost of just one energy block, it works exactly like the focus attack and allows you to absorb multiple character hits, such as those of E. Honda and Chun Li. The second new technique is called delayed wake up. As is obvious from its name, it offers you the ability to stay on the ground for longer. It is an excellent addition to avoid certain attacks from your opponents. Finally, you now have a third combo attack in your arsenal, the ultra combo double (I really love these names!). It's basically a combination of the other two combo attacks but overall it does less damage. It's clearly a useful combo attack for characters whose combos are performed at close range since such a double, successful attack will send the opponent to the ground

"Don't you like my new shirt?"

Είναι σαφές ότι τα νέα mechanics αποτελούν “ψιλά γράμματα”. Μόνο οι hardcore παίχτες των μαχητών των δρόμων θα καταφέρουν πραγματικά να τις χρησιμοποιήσουν αποτελεσματικά για να γεμίσουν τα κενά και τις αδυναμίες των αγαπημένων χαρακτήρων τους. Παρόλα αυτά το Ultra Street Fighter IV, όπως και οι προκάτοχοί του, είναι ένα παιχνίδι που τόσο οι casual παίχτες όσο και οι hardcore μπορούν να το ευχαριστηθούν εξίσου, ο καθένας από τη δική του σκοπιά.

At its core, Ultra Street Fighter IV remains a highly cerebral game. There are moments when the defensive approach alternates with intense aggression, combos rain down, key moves cancel out the best of what an ultra attack has to offer. Move smartly, confuse your opponent, focus on exploiting every inch of space allotted to you, open up your opponent's defence and make his personal living space yours by cornering him. All of this of course is achieved with flawlessly responsive handling that is tight whether you use your keyboard or your favourite gamepad. Minor upgrades, improvements and fixes to the movements of older fighters will only be noticed by genre gurus, but ultimately contribute to a highly balanced game.

Perhaps the most classic special move of all time...

In the online part of the title, which is certainly of interest to many, things haven't lagged but the elimination mode has been added. Here we choose a team of three characters and face the opposing team. The health bars are NOT replenished and so we have intense and fast-paced combat. Who wouldn't want to see their three favorite characters working together flawlessly?

Even if you've had enough of Street Fighter IV, you're still inexcusable if you ignore the new upgraded version and don't bother with it. It offers freshness, improves minor issues and corrects any shortcomings. Ultra Street Fighter IV offers an excellent experience and should not be missing from any fighting game fan's collection.

Code for this review was provided by CD Media.

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