What is the novelty behind Virtua Fighter series?

[Pixel_Outlaw]

I'm no fighting game expert but I do wonder what people see in the Virtua Fighter series? It seems very bare bones to me.

Thoughts?

[SockPuppetHyren]

I'm no fighting game expert but I do wonder what people see in the Virtua Fighter series? It seems very bare bones to me.

Thoughts?

Bare-bones? Not at all. Virtual Fighter has one of the most technical fighting systems in the entire genre. It's safe to say that the game is all skill. Not to mention that VF games tend to have very good character balance in general.

On the other hand, VF will take more than a little bit of time to learn (Sega even included a enormous tutorial in VF4 evo). That, and unless you live in Japan, you're not going to get that much competition, as it wasn't that popular in the west, last time I checked. It's also very down to Earth in comparison to most fighters.

Personally, I like the series, though I haven't played VF4 for a while, as I don't own a PS2 to play it on.

[szycag]

Kind of a snobby topic here... if you really don't get the appeal there are several reviews out there even on mainstream gaming press sites that outline it all. Barebones? Because there's only punch kick and block? Try going through some tutorials...

[kengou]

I'm no fighting game expert but I do wonder what people see in the Virtua Fighter series? It seems very bare bones to me.

Thoughts?

Bare-bones? Not at all. Virtual Fighter has one of the most technical fighting systems in the entire genre. It's safe to say that the game is all skill. Not to mention that VF games tend to have very good character balance in general.

On the other hand, VF will take more than a little bit of time to learn (Sega even included a enormous tutorial in VF4 evo). That, and unless you live in Japan, you're not going to get that much competition, as it wasn't that popular in the west, last time I checked. It's also very down to Earth in comparison to most fighters.

Personally, I like the series, though I haven't played VF4 for a while, as I don't own a PS2 to play it on.

This. VF series is VERY technical and skill-based. IMO it's probably the deepest 3D fighter series out there. Just because it uses 3 buttons aside from movement doesn't mean it's "bare-bones". Run thrpugh some of the advanced training challenges (VF4 had dozens upon dozens of in-depth tutorials on basic and advanced combos, counter moves, timing for various high and low blocks... man it just goes on and on).

[TLB]

You guys took the words right out of my mouth =) I used to have VF4E and the amount of time it took just to get through a single character's moveset was pretty...yeah...according to my memory =P I liked to play Kage, Brad, and Goh, and the sheer vastness of shit you could do was just overwhelming, even with just those three characters. It got pretty tough to pull off some of Kage's longer throw combos, and I was pretty proud to be able to pull something like that off...until I watched the video in the game of some Japanese guy doing all that shit and lots more with one hand. Craaa-zy.

Anyway, yeah, the first sentence to come to mind after reading your question focused on the word "technical".

[The Coop]

I read P-O's post, and the first thing I thought of was...

Virtua Fighter is "bare bones" in the same fashion that Ikaruga is a "standard shmup"

[P_HAT]

I read P-O's post, and the first thing I thought of was...

Virtua Fighter is "bare bones" in the same fashion that Ikaruga is a "standard shmup"

[neorichieb1971]

I'm with the OP. If the game gave you a better chance of winning by learning all that crazy stuff that is "in depth" then it would be worthwhile. But the simple fact is, you can win the whole vs computer tournament by hitting one button. If your playing against an opponent you can win with slight variation but not too much. I have seen the experts play and they seem to work on a street fighter type system, where there is about 3 moves they learn very well and stick to them.

The game seems bland, with several characters having the same routines. The graphics have no real life elements, looking like a monochrome shiny (everything looks perfect) type of deal. It would be better if the game lost that shiny ness and got a bit gritty. Lets see some sweat fly. Lets see some animation in the characters that isn't typically a move, some expression. These are things I like to see in a fighter.


Then you have namco type of style. Just mash buttons and all kinds of flashy crap comes out. Thats not ideal either, since it provokes button bashing and most of the time you can win using such a style with quick responsive characters. Especially like Eddy who seems to chain different attacks together even when its not a combo. Thats just plain stupidness.


So the perfect fighter would be :

1) That detects same move, and punishes you for it
2) Learning in depth moves rewards you
3) Combination moves should be hard to pull off, especially if they force your opponent to block consistently.
4) Lets see some real world graphics, with cracks in the pavement, some grit and dirt. This ain't Pixar mofo.

If Namco or Sega got most of these right. It would easily be the best fighter ever. It must be harder than we think, since they don't bother to balance their games fairly.

Personally, I would put fighters into categories, and only have a fighter able to fight another character from the same category. Having a laser shooting demon against a puncher is hardly fair is it?


Well thats my views on fighters.

[Specineff]

4) Lets see some real world graphics, with cracks in the pavement, some grit and dirt. This ain't Pixar mofo.

NO!

GO
TO
STAR!

[Skykid]

Where's Rupert H?

[SockPuppetHyren]

I'm with the OP. If the game gave you a better chance of winning by learning all that crazy stuff that is "in depth" then it would be worthwhile. But the simple fact is, you can win the whole vs computer tournament by hitting one button. If your playing against an opponent you can win with slight variation but not too much. I have seen the experts play and they seem to work on a street fighter type system, where there is about 3 moves they learn very well and stick to them.
.

You've never played the game at all, have you? I would have given you a troll score, but that's not proper protocol here.

[Lordstar]

yeah i thoght that when i first started playing it.

Three buttons? AND ONES A BLOCK!!!!11! my my how i laughed but it fucking awesome to see two people who are very good at it play each other.

[D]

SFIIHDREMIX is out and this is what we're discussing.........................

[KindGrind]

I'm totally against OP, and Plasmo summarized it pretty well. One of the deepest fighters there is.

[Gungriffon Geona]

SFIIHDREMIX is out and this is what we're discussing.........................

nobody gives a shit. shitty remake of a now ancient game. booooooriiiiing.

[Lordstar]

SFIIHDREMIX is out and this is what we're discussing.........................

im sure theres enough threads on this already but I dont like the way it looks really. Its ok like. I dont like the art style but if i plays the same and they have the online conection working for a fighting game ( im not going to hold my breath though) It should be awesome.

so yeah i was using the chinese monk guy but I think im going to change characters when i get my copy of the 360 game back. Who do you guys use?

[jpj]

first VF was pretty mind-blowing when it came out in arcades. pretty sure it was the first 3D fighter. could be wrong, but it was the first one like it i'd seen. you look back now though and laugh

i *wish* i was good at VF. but i never will be.
if anything, i'd say it's a bit too pedestrian for my tastes. i think games should be a bit more "fantastical" for want of a better word. it's like the pro evo of fighters

SFIIHDREMIX is out and this is what we're discussing.........................

nobody gives a shit. shitty remake of a now ancient game. booooooriiiiing.

super turbo for life

[KindGrind]

I still pop in VF2 in my Saturn from time to time.

Great fun, and doesn't look half bad. Great memories!

[neorichieb1971]

I think with any fighting game, the depth thats in it doesn't need to be utilized in order to enjoy it. For the basic newcomer to the series, the most they are going to get out the game is about 4 moves. I find the VF series to be too sim like, its also very fast so its really hard to play with any kind of forward thinking.

When they introduced multi tier heights in the levels it added a 4th dimension of gameplay, but it also complicated a genre that was happy in a flat plane.

I will admit that VF appeals to the shmups type crowd. The people that see a game within a game. Where each intricate part of the game is learned over time to perfection, then you are rewarded for being a king at that particular game. But these depths of gameplay are seldom explored by 5% of the userbase. So the argument is, is VF worth the in depth challenge and can it make you a God against a button basher?

I am not amused by the bashful people here, stating I'm a troll or have not played the series. I own VF2 (Saturn) and VF3tb (DC), but thats where I left the franchise. I have played the PS3 iteration of VF5 and saw nothing but fancier graphics. However, I do know people that stand by VF. I even watched my mate play the Danish champion at the now dead Trocedero centre in London. He lost 3-2 overall, I would have expected a champion to beat my mate 3-0 if he was that good. My friend used Aoi (is that how you spell it?), a sexy mistress.

There was a gameshow on CH4 in the UK wasn't there, in one episode some Japanese game tester beat over 100 UK gameplayers on VF3 at the time. I remember him using Kage and most of the time he done that somersault move. If the depth is rewarding why use that move so much?

Surely, as with SF, VF is about timing of your moves. Hence the quick responsive gameplay. You don't need to learn the moves, just learn the responses and how to do them quickly and I think you could become a champion at this.

[TLB]

I'm totally against OP, and Plasmo summarized it pretty well. One of the deepest fighters there is.

Call me crazy, but Plasmo hasn't posted in here =) I did totally rip off his avatar, though, make no mistake ^_- I was planning on changing the text, but I'm kinda stranded here =P

That, and I'm not sure I really summarized anything, did you mean someone else entirely lol?

[dave4shmups]

Well I can't speak for anyone else on here, but the appeal to me is the accessibility of the series. Anyone can jump right in and do reasonably well without having to learn a ton of different moves.

[Gungriffon Geona]

SFIIHDREMIX is out and this is what we're discussing.........................

nobody gives a shit. shitty remake of a now ancient game. booooooriiiiing.

super turbo for life

went back and played it on thanksgiving with a nephew. he enjoyed Uniracers and Super Bomberman 2, but when we got to Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo we both hated how clunky it felt and the sudden framerate weirdness. went straight back to Bomberman.

[Shelcoof]

Short Answer: Deepest Fighter Available. Your talking serious competition which require the most skill, most strategy to be on top.

The same goes for Jump! Ultimate Stars.. I know a lot of people look at the game and think fan service but deep down there is a huge strategy part in the game. 50% strategy 50% skill. If you don't play right you can get your ass handed to you easily.

[nimitz]

neorichieb1971, It seems your argument is that the VF games are aimed at the "hardcore" crowd.

But seriously, thats what the whole fighting genre is about, if you want a game that anyone can play and see cool moves play Soul Calibur or Mortal Kombat.

Virtual fighter is one of the main reason that could make me want to visit japan (moreso than shmups or food), a real shame that noone plays it elsewhere...

[lgb]

I read P-O's post, and the first thing I thought of was...

Virtua Fighter is "bare bones" in the same fashion that Ikaruga is a "standard shmup"

Original minimalist?

[Limbrooke]

Virtual fighter is one of the main reason that could make me want to visit japan (moreso than shmups or food), a real shame that noone plays it elsewhere...

I recall hearing one of the best Virtua Fighter players in the world resides and plays in Korea. Jin was it? Anyway, Virtua Fighter is a game where you need to think about what to do at any given moment. Definitely no friend of button mashers as you get punished. I only have VF2 on Saturn although I've played a little of VF4E on PS2 and speaking for myself it's an alright series but one that requires a lot of focus and practice.

[brokenhalo]

i've played every single vf, but i never really got into the virtua fighter series seriously until i picked up vf4 evo. the training and tutorial system should be included with every sequel. it takes that seemingly barebones fighter and peals back the layers to show you all the depth and technique that you never would of figured out on your own. i was hooked and still am. 10/10 fighter.

[P_HAT]

SFIIHDREMIX is out and this is what we're discussing.........................

nobody gives a shit. shitty remake of a now ancient game. booooooriiiiing.

Lol wut? SSF2T are still best 2d beside GGXX series.


About VF, yeah, it's just too deep for casuals.

[GaijinPunch]

But the simple fact is, you can win the whole vs computer tournament by hitting one button.

Uhmm.... you realize these games are meant to be played 2 player?

Anyone can jump right in and do reasonably well without having to learn a ton of different moves.

If you stay away from the arcades. I was pretty formidable w/ all the VF4's. Went to play some 5R and got my ass handed to me. Won 1 out of 20 or so matches.

[Ganelon]

nobody gives a shit. shitty remake of a now ancient game. booooooriiiiing.

super turbo for life

went back and played it on thanksgiving with a nephew. he enjoyed Uniracers and Super Bomberman 2, but when we got to Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo we both hated how clunky it felt and the sudden framerate weirdness. went straight back to Bomberman.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the frame rate unless you're playing online. You're probably referring instead to the fact that there isn't a lot of animation for such high-res visuals, which gives it a more choppy appearance.

Anyway, VF is known for its plethora of defensive options and strictly timed moves.