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Video Game Review: Street Fighter IV

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By DOUG BUEL

TBO Extra correspondent

Published: March 9, 2009

System: Microsoft Xbox 360

Also available on: Sony PlayStation 3

Publisher: Capcom

Reviewer's rating: ****

ESRB rating: Teen

Game type: Fighting

Kind of like: A cross between "Street Fighter III" and "Street Fighter EX + Alpha"

Best feature: The franchise has returned to the classic fighting action that made it great.

Worst feature: Rufus

The bottom line: Fans of "Street Fighter" thought for years that the series was pretty much dead.

Who would want to play a 2-D fighting game in this age?

Well, lots of people. "Street Fighter IV" is fantastic.

The action still takes place in two dimensions, although the graphics are in glorious 3-D. Most of the classic characters are here — including Ken, Ryu, Guile and so on — along with several new ones, most of whom are interesting. Crimson Viper is a female agent in a stylish suit. Abel is a tormented French bruiser. We could do without Rufus, though, an obnoxious, overweight fighter with a big mouth.

Online play lets you challenge friends or strangers. There's an unusual system where online battles unlock a ton of special titles and icons. You get to choose a title and icon for yourself to take online, provided you can earn them.

One exciting new addition is the "ultra meter." As your fighter is damaged, the ultra meter builds up. When it builds up enough, your character is able to unleash a devastating "ultra combo." This allows for some really great comebacks in the face of getting beaten down.

The game's challenge mode is brutally hard and will keep you busy for a long time. You can try to perform the characters' tougher combos, take on a vicious time attack and more.

Games are rated on a scale of zero to four stars.

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