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The fighting game genre has seen a shift towards 3D environments, yet Street Fighter, steadfast in its 2D arena tradition, continues to thrive. Street Fighter V, launched with a grand half-million-dollar tournament, follows the massively successful Street Fighter IV. But does this fifth iteration deliver a knockout punch, or is it a lightweight contender? Let’s dive into this Street Fighter V review to find out.

A Surprisingly Small Footprint

In an era of ever-expanding game sizes, Street Fighter V is a refreshing anomaly. Clocking in at a mere 7GB, it’s a featherweight compared to the 20GB+ behemoths common today. This compact size minimizes download times and hard drive clutter, making it an easily accessible title for casual and hardcore gamers alike. No more agonizing hard drive purges to make space! Street Fighter V sits patiently, ready for a quick match whenever the fighting spirit moves you.

Street Fighter V – Gameplay

Accessible Yet Deep Gameplay

Street Fighter V refines the series’ signature tight gameplay while lowering the barrier to entry for newcomers. Executing powerful attacks now requires simpler inputs, focusing on directional inputs and a single attack button rather than complex three-button combinations. V-Triggers, unique character abilities, are activated universally with a single command. Gone are the complex cancels of Street Fighter IV, streamlining the combat system for easier learning. Players can now focus on mastering fundamental attacks, special moves, and grabs to create devastating combos.

Street Fighter V – Combat

However, veterans haven’t been forgotten. Street Fighter V introduces new mechanics and alters existing ones to shake up familiar strategies. The Focus Attack is faster and more powerful, while the Counter offers lightning-fast retaliation with unique visual flair. Classic character archetypes like Zoners, Grapplers, Turtles, Divekickers, Footsie specialists, and Vortex characters return, allowing seasoned players to leverage their existing knowledge while adapting to the new nuances. The core gameplay retains the familiar feel of previous iterations, with enough fresh elements to keep things exciting for both new and returning players.

Street Fighter V – Characters

A Visual Evolution, Not a Revolution

Street Fighter IV was a visual marvel, seamlessly blending 2D fighting with 3D Cel-shaded graphics. While Street Fighter V is undeniably beautiful, it doesn’t achieve the same groundbreaking impact. The visuals have been refined, with sharper textures, vibrant effects, and updated character models. However, the overall aesthetic remains similar to its predecessor, feeling more like a polished upgrade than a complete overhaul. The improvements are noticeable, but they don’t evoke the same sense of awe that Street Fighter IV inspired upon its release.

Street Fighter V – Ryu

A Cluttered Interface and Missing Features

While the visuals are a step forward, the interface and features represent a step back. The absence of an Arcade mode forces players into other, less convenient options for casual play. Story mode requires repeated battles against predetermined opponents and navigating cumbersome cutscenes. Online play is susceptible to lag depending on opponent location and network stability. Versus mode lacks streamlined character selection, requiring manual choices after each match. The convoluted interface further complicates matters. Simple tasks like changing characters online, creating lobbies, or configuring controllers become frustratingly complex, often requiring external resources for guidance. This is a stark contrast to Ultra Street Fighter IV‘s intuitive design and streamlined functionality.

Street Fighter V – Ken

Street Fighter V suffers from baffling design choices. The separation of ranked and casual matches, the inability to select characters in ranked, the lack of penalties for rage quitting – these are just a few of the perplexing issues that plague the game. It raises the question: is Street Fighter V a truly finished product, or a disguised beta test riddled with shortcomings?

Conclusion

Street Fighter V offers a compelling core fighting experience with streamlined mechanics accessible to newcomers and nuanced enough for veterans. Its compact size is a welcome change in a world of bloated game installs. However, the lackluster visual upgrade, convoluted interface, and missing features hold it back from achieving true greatness. While the foundation is strong, Street Fighter V needs some serious refinement to live up to its legacy.