Virtua Fighter 5was first released in 2007 on consoles and has received various updated versions as time went on in the form ofVirtua Fighter 5 R andVirtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown.But now it has finally come to PC players with its newest version, titledVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.for a whole new generation of PC players to experience the game. For the 30th anniversary of the series, SEGA has released this new version to give fans another version of this classic game while they wait for the newest entry to make its debut.
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Bringing Back the Ultimate Showdown
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.is the PC port of the PlayStation 4 version of the game released in 2021,Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown. If you have played the PlayStation 4 version, you’ll have a solid grasp on what to expect fromVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.This is a version that leaves out multiple game modes from the original and focuses solely on being a new and updated version of the game for players to battle each other online. You can expect to see the faces of your favorite characters making their return. There are nineteen characters total with various outfits and customization options, all having their own unique styles to master and learn throughout your fighting journey. There are also updated visuals, the ability to now play the game at 60 FPS and Rollback Netcode to give players an even more solid experience.
If you are unfamiliar with theVirtua Fighterseries, this isn’t a bad starting point for finding out what the game is all about. This is a fairly unique fighting game that’s more grounded than other 3D fighting games likeTekken.Virtua Fighteris a three-button fighting game where you have the standard Punch, Kick and Block buttons in combination with directional inputs. The series does quite a bit with such a simple setup, making it easy to learn, but still a challenge to master. It’s a compelling game for newcomers and veterans alike, relying on the skill to learn and adapt quickly without the crutch of too many tools at your disposal. Flashy combos are harder to pull off and will require practice, while every fight has the chance to be intense and difficult.
Bare Bones and Intense Fighting at its Best
This game may be nearly twenty years old at this point, but it’s almost timeless in how it plays. With everything being easy to learn and still a challenge to master, it’s hard not to fall in love with it all over again. Matches are quick, intense and still grounded in reality while being like a cheesy action movie. One of the best parts of theVirtua Fighterseries is how fast-paced and simple it is. You don’t build up super meters, use EX attacks or have anything akin to whatTekkenorStreet Fighterbrings to the table. SeeingVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.make its way onto PC with the new balance and netcode changes is a breath of fresh air for those seeking a challenging, fun and simple fighting game.
Rollback netcode being integrated is also probably one of the best additions toVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O, making each match reliable and entertaining. It can’t fix every connection issue, though, as there will be hiccups and issues along the way, but it does make the online experience less frustrating the longer you play and fight against players further away or ones that have a somewhat unreliable internet connection. On top of the rollback netcode being implemented, there’s also a balance patch to give veterans of the new changes to look forward to. These aren’t anything groundbreaking, but still welcome and give everyone a chance to take a look and learn something new with the game.
Focusing on Gameplay and Visual Updates Over Classic Gamemodes
One thing that Virtua Fighter fans might notice right out of the gate when booting upVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.Ofor the first time is the lack of some of the classic game modes from the original release. While this is still a welcome addition to the PC fighting game catalog, it’s still missing some of those special options that made it stand out in the first place. The single-player content is lacking and the only real options there are Arcade and Training modes. It’s clear that this is the version of the game that’s going to focus solely on the player-versus-player aspect of fighting games. This won’t be a dealbreaker for many new players looking to dive right in and show off new moves they’ve taught themselves in training mode, but it may be disappointing for many long-time fans of the series looking to experience aspects of the originalVirtua Fighter 5release.
What we have now are a few modes that focus on pitting players versus one another. Every weekend there will be an official Tournament mode where you can test what you’ve learned against fellow fighters. On top of this, you’ll also have full access to the Ranked Match and Room Match modes. Each allows you to fight against others near your skill range or just set up a room to play against friends or seeking new opponents that may teach you more about the game in general. This version of the game still doesn’t shy away from keeping the core of what makesVirtua Fighterspecial on the main stage. Characters can still pull off flashy and over-the-top combos that look right out of an action movie while still being grounded in the technical skill of each player behind the character.
One thing players will notice is the ability to customize the look of their favorite characters. There are quite a few options, like hairstyles or alternate color palettes for their equipped outfits, but it isn’t anything on the same level as theTekken 8type of customization. It’s still there, but you’re able to’t customize the looks of the Yakuza or Legendary Fighters DLC costume packs either. The character customization and outfits available are mostly just available but nothing special for the most part.
Closing Comments:
It’s awesome to see Virtua Fightermake its way back to players for the 30th anniversary, but it’s still probably not what most fans will expect. The lack of single-player options is going to be missed by many while they look to dive back in and feel the nostalgia of the series. The soundtrack, visuals, sound design and actual gameplay are still solid but can seem dated. These aspects are still special in their own way and almost seem to add more charm to this classic fighting game. While the foundation of what makes Virtua Fighter special is still here inVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.,it’s still lacking in a lot of aspects. With that said, it’s still a cheaper fighting game that’s reliably fun and a good game to play while you wait for the newest entry in the series to make its debut. What we have here is a solid PC port of the PS4 remaster and its still a welcome addition to the PC fighting game community. This isn’t an overwhelmingly huge update and new release of the game, but rather a way to give new and old players alike a taste of the classic fighting game.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.
Version Reviewed: PC
The legendary fighting series makes its Steam debut with Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.! Challenge the greatest fighters in the world in the ultimate remaster of the classic 3D fighter,now featuring Rollback netcode support, gorgeous 4K graphics, and all the bone-crunching, martial arts combat of the renowned original. Battle through classic VF modes like Arcade or Rank Match, create your own custom online tournaments and leagues with up to 16 players, or learn from the best in Spectator Mode. Master your fighting style to defeat all challengers in the Fifth World Fighting Tournament and become a Virtua Fighter legend!Features:• The Ultimate Edition of this legendary game: Rollback Netcode support, gorgeous 4K visuals with updated high-res textures and more.• Custom Combatants: Enter the ring with one of 19 playable characters. Master each of their unique fighting styles and customize them with distinctive costumes and items.• The Full Experience: Enjoy the pinnacle of Virtua Fighter as you battle it out across your favorite modes like Rank Match, Arcade, Training, and Versus• Crush the Competition: Take on challengers from around the world as you compete with up to 16 players in new online modes including Tournaments and League.
