Virtua Fighter 5 REVO Review – Built To Last

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Among all video game series, none holds a more special place in my heart than Virtua Fighter. I would save my weekly pocket money to play VF and VF2 in arcades, even going as far as traveling across cities in search of elusive Virtua Fighter 3 machines. Eventually, this led me to forge friendships with fellow enthusiasts from overseas, playing VF4 Evolution and Final Tuned with them in Japan. As a result, whenever a fresh or relatively new installment of the Virtua Fighter series is launched, I eagerly anticipate it being the best version possible. This isn’t just for my own satisfaction, but also to give new players a glimpse into why longtime Virtua Fighter fans cherish these games so deeply.

Originally released on PS4 as Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, this game was a valiant effort to modernize VF5 Final Showdown but fell short in crucial aspects, especially its outdated netcode which utilized a delay-based system while other fighting game developers were swiftly adopting the superior rollback technology. Now, with the series gaining renewed interest due to an upcoming new Virtua Fighter, Sega has responded to player requests by introducing Virtua Fighter 5 REVO – another update exclusively for PCs that boasts the long-awaited and demanded rollback netcode.

Here, the standout feature is the rollback netcode, making it the primary attraction. Although the menu design, interface, and character models are similar to VF5 Ultimate Showdown with a touch of enhanced graphics (if you have good hardware), these aspects didn’t require significant enhancements since they were already well-established. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Indeed, this new version primarily focuses on improving the netcode, and Sega has done an impressive job, for the most part. It boasts the best netcode any Virtua Fighter game has ever seen, making it more enjoyable and enticing to play. In my gaming experiences, I’ve engaged in smooth matches with players from distant locations such as Japan, the Philippines, and the UK, right here in the US Pacific Northwest. Some encounters needed minor tweaks to the rollback frames, but many were perfectly fine using the default settings. When everything aligns optimally, online play is virtually indistinguishable from playing against a local opponent—except for the occasional rollback-related quirks like hearing a counter hit sound only to find out it was just a rollback incident, oops.

In optimal conditions, Virtua Fighter 5 REVO may seem surprisingly demanding for an older fighting game when it comes to its default graphic settings. Consequently, if you start playing online without first tweaking these settings, your frame rate might drop below 60fps. This is problematic because inconsistent frame rates put extra strain on the netcode, leading to a laggy and jerky gaming experience for both players, even if their individual setups are functioning well. To improve the gameplay, it would be beneficial to conduct a benchmark test before going online to ensure everyone maintains a consistent 60fps. Unfortunately, the only solution at this time is to ask players to spend some initial time adjusting graphic settings themselves.

In a significant update after more than a decade, this version introduces substantial modifications to the fundamental gameplay mechanics of the original game. Previous attacks have been reintroduced, move properties have been altered, and character weights have been readjusted, among other tweaks. While these changes may not seem like major selling points, they significantly impact the fast-paced fighting experience in both minor and dramatic ways. For instance, characters such as Jacky and Taka-Arashi, who were highly powerful in the previous version, are now less dominant compared to lighter characters like Pai, whose performance has noticeably improved. This update appears to have brought a remarkable balance to the game. It’s important to mention that these gameplay changes have also been applied to VF5 Final Showdown through updates.

The dramatic impact of minor alterations in Virtua Fighter 5, across all its versions, is one reason that makes it a joy to compete with. Mastering Virtua Fighter requires persistence, effort, and rewards you greatly. The potential mastery level of VF is immense: You can play for extended periods and continue to uncover fresh, thrilling, and enlightening aspects of the fighting system each time you engage. The combat is swift and demands continuous strategic thinking, with many solutions available for almost every scenario. It’s much like learning a new language, where the battles themselves serve as your medium for self-expression.

Certainly, not everyone prefers competitive play, and regrettably, VF5 REVO continues to struggle with the scarcity of single-player content compared to Ultimate Showdown. Moreover, it’s still lacking in character customization options: The PS3 and Xbox 360 version of VF5 Final Showdown offered a multitude of bizarre and flamboyant items for character combat outfits, but both REVO and VF5US only have a small fraction of these items–many of which are currently hidden behind DLC. However, there’s always a possibility that more customization features might be added in the future.

Currently, VF5 REVO stands as the top-tier version of an all-time exceptional 3D fighting game – Virtua Fighter. If you’re open to investing time and effort, Virtua Fighter offers some of the most exhilarating combat experiences around. However, I strongly advise that you first ensure your PC can run it smoothly at an acceptable frame rate before diving in.

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2025-02-04 22:09