Overall: Capcom's latest pugilist offering is a quite a worthy update to the cl@!%#*!ic fighting game formula and another prime example of the resurgence of the fighting genre on consoles. At an estimated 40$ price point, gamers will find a heightened and tightened experience with new and returning characters, stages, a plethora of online offerings including some free and likely paid-for future updates and the proverbial icing on the cake, the cl@!%#*!ic bonus stages from Street Fighter 2.
The character selection menu is `now filled out with a total of 35 faces including returning fighters T. Hawk, Dee Jay, Adon, Cody, Guy, Dudley, Ibuki, Makoto and new contenders Juri and Hakan. When considering this and the added value of the new and retooled online modes including ranked matches, team battle, endless battle and a replay channel the game packs quite a punch(I hope you'll forgive me for that one). So much so that you might forget that Capcom promised these were to be updates for the original entry, but later changed gears because of the feedback given for the core mechanics and the constraints that Street Fighter 4 was supposedly working within for any other updates other than additional character entries.
All praise aside the game does have some notable shortcomings in regards to must have add-ons and requested upgrades. The exclusion of local match replay saving is a harsh pill for most hardcore or advanced players to swallow again while the need to purchase old SF4 costume packs at 320 Microsoft Points a pop for content that could have easily been added to the fold as unlockables makes you remember that Capcom is a company and companies like money.
Even though these things do tarnish the package by a minuscule amount, the fighting game revival is in full swing with this release. It's a testament to this game when you plant your 15th Metsu Shoryuken from Ryu's fist to a contorted opponent's face during a long play session online or off and you smile at your accomplishment. This is competition in a box and that is a thing of beauty.
Gameplay: Gameplay changes equate to an extra layer of strategy in every character selection. the cause being the selection of which Ultra Combo, aka "explosive exhibition of kick @!%#*!edness", the player would like to marvel their opponents with. Building a different exposition around this move can lead to some of the high points of the game and really adds to the addictive nature of perfecting moves. Graphics: Using the same engine from the previous, SSF4 has some minor tweaks for the already initiated. If you have a Street Fighter 4 save file you can auto unlock graphics filters for all character models. The stitch style filter gives a remarkable "sketched" or drawn look to your fighter. The core visuals have not received an upgrade but the returning and new fighters seem right at home with the rest of the cast and Capcom has, once again, proved successful with the "3D Anime-ated" look.
Sound: Same sound fidelity as before, though some new design decisions ring even truer. Example being the subtle use of a unattractive sound when attempting to spam keying in for an online match before the matchmaking is complete to the lovely option of toggling remixed music for battles, much of it more epic than it need be but catchy nonetheless.
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