(PC) Street Fighter IV

[DarkSamus]

Intro:

Published By: Capcom
Developed By: Dimps/Capcom
Genre: 1 on 1 Fighting

Street Fighter IV is the newest game in the always popular Street Fighter series that although is only on its 4th edition has actually had a tonne more due to Capcom's undying need to make there fighters perfect!

System Tested On:

Minimum System Requirements:
OS: Windows XP/Vista
Processor: Pentium 4 @ 2.0 or higher (XP) Intel Core2Duo 2.0GHz or higher (Vista)
Memory: 1 GB or higher (XP) 2 GB or higher (Vista)
Hard Drive: 10GB Free
Video Memory: NVIDIA GeForce6600 series, ATI Radeon(TM) X1600 or higher or higher, VRAM - 256MB or higher
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
DirectX: 9.0c

My System:
OS: Windows Vista SP2
Processor: Intel Q9400 @ 3.32GHz
Memory: 4GB DDR2 1066MHz
Video Card: GeForce 9800GTX
Network: Forced to not play on a network due to my wireless broadband dropping out every 2 - 3 minutes! (No online play review for this reason)

Gameplay (10/10):

No beating around the bush: Street Fighter on PC is a fantastic game, combining all the action, balance and brilliant design of the arcade edition (Which some of you may know I have completed several times as there is a machine local to me) and adding a few new characters and modes to boot. Normally I would at the start of a review waffle on about the series history (in the case of sequels) or the basic plot, but there are only 2 things you need to know before I jump into the review proper. 1, That I had my fingers crossed that it would turn out to be a good game and not a disappointment like Capcom's previous attempts at 3D Street Fighter and 2, that since the game was placed in my hot little hands by the guy at EB I have had nothing but a hard time getting away from it to write this review. But then can you blame me for having to obsessively unlock all the characters, costume colours, victory poses, profile names and other goodies I could?

All your old fav's make a return in the game. Ken, Ryu, Chun Li, (Bob) Sagat, Bison and the rest fill out the roster nicely and thanks to tweaks in the moves and gameplay feel at once pleasantly familiar and excitingly new. The new characters, with the possible exclusion of El Fuerte are excellent additions to the game although it would have been nice to see even just a few more, but then beggars can't be choosers! The complete line-up of 25 characters is a bit strange and goes mostly against what the fans called for (Why was Dan, Rose and Gen chosen over the likes of Karin and Guy remains a mystery) and both Rufus and C. Viper have move sets and designs more at home in an SNK game.

As is always the case with Street Fighter games character balance is excellent with no single character you could easily point out as over-powered in multi-player. Single player mode however is tough even on easy difficulty settings mostly due to the fact that all the characters with 360 degree stick motion throws (Zangief and Abel to name just 2) spam the moves with abandon and the high priority of the style of attack all but guarantees it to hit and stop anything the player is trying to get out!

The new "focus attack" move that is executed by pressing both medium attacks has finally made large combo's starting from the ground far more viable then ever before and with its ability to recover the damage you take from a single hit helps to build your ultra meter without taking damage making it possible to get ultra finishes and a perfect in the same round, although is stupidly tough to do.

The ultra moves themselves are really just flashier versions of most of the characters super moves but they are great for a last minute comeback to turn the tide of a match!

Graphics (9.5/10):

The new art direction in Street Fighter is gorgeous. The detail in the characters and backgrounds are stunning. The anime opening and closing scenes however are a huge disappointment as they are nothing short of ugly and unappealing to say the least.

The pc version also has one extra addition to the console versions as well in that there are 3 filters that can be applied to the graphics for different effects! Personally though I leave them all off as I like the original look more, but this will come down to individual preference.

Sound (7/10):

The English voice acting is horrible with characters like the "French" Abel speaking in an American accent, Zangief sounds like a different person from word to word and the commentator has no solid idea of pronunciation or pacing mangling words and running them together with abandon (Although the commentary does tend to grow on you after some time!). The English Voice acting is horrible right across the board and annoying but thankfully the game features the original voice acting for all the characters.

Overall (9.5/10):

With Street Fighter 4, Capcom has managed to pull off one of the most difficult feats in a sequel - they succeeded in modernising a franchise to the extent that it feels right at home in the modern gaming market and utilises the potential of today's pc's, whilst simultaneously keeping it in tune with the franchise and appealing to the old school fans of said franchise. Just buy it.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/6933/2b60c5b2b444cfb4baa1e5c.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4015/d74507666c1469cd84d7156.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2039/5264d544b93bfd93d2d0ed1.jpg

[Paratech]

Thanks for the great review, but I've already purchased the game to support Fighting games on the PC.

I do HATE the "English" voiceovers... Chun Li, Please no, she isn't American, was this the voiceover of the woman who did the STUPID Street Fighter Chun Li movie? :mad: :angry: :cry:

[Squall-Leonhart]

probably.

[Spyhop]

You would prefer she speak Chinese with subtitles on the bottom? That would just be retarded.

[DarkSamus]

Thanks for the great review, but I've already purchased the game to support Fighting games on the PC.

I do HATE the "English" voiceovers... Chun Li, Please no, she isn't American, was this the voiceover of the woman who did the STUPID Street Fighter Chun Li movie? :mad: :angry: :cry:

Just for the info, I have at this stage put 140 hours into the pc game since I got it on the 30th June (Local EB rang me 2 days before release to pick up my copy which had arrived in-store)

[zidine00]

You would prefer she speak Chinese with subtitles on the bottom? That would just be retarded.

i would actually prefer that myself. but hell im weird.

[DarkSamus]

Thanks for the great review, but I've already purchased the game to support Fighting games on the PC.

I do HATE the "English" voiceovers... Chun Li, Please no, she isn't American, was this the voiceover of the woman who did the STUPID Street Fighter Chun Li movie? :mad: :angry: :cry:

probably.

I can tell you it is not Kristian Kreuk from the new SF movie! (After watching her on Smallville for 8 years I can recognise her voice anywhere!)

[Squall-Leonhart]

I can tell you it is not Kristen Kreuk from the new SF movie! (After watching her on Smallville for 8 years I would bone her anywhere!) fixed.

[DarkSamus]

I can tell you it is not Allison Mack in the new SF movie! (After watching her on Smallville for 8 years I would bone her anywhere!)

Fixed it better! KK is a mole!

[Paratech]

You would prefer she speak Chinese with subtitles on the bottom? That would just be retarded.

I would prefer she talked with an accent, is it that hard to get bilingual voices from the same actor? oO

[DarkSamus]

That is exactly the point I was making in the review that they all sound American.
Dhalsim should sound like he is from India, not an Indian born in America etc...

If anyone wants/needs a guide for the game. This is by far the best place to go to learn EVERYTHING there is to know for the game with in-depth detail into every single character!
They also have a location tracker for the arcade machine if you want to see if there is one near you. Every publicly playable arcade machine in the world is listed there. (Lots of countries missed out)
Street Fighter 4 Strategy Guide -- Moves, Combos and Tips (http://www.eventhubs.com/guides/2008/jul/08/street-fighter-4-strategy-guide-tiers-hints-and-tips/)

[Paratech]

Which is why I liked your review so well. Please do more in the future, and thanks for the added information.

[koko]

Awesome game, nice review.

[Squall-Leonhart]

Fixed it better! KK is a mole!

you swapped a mole for a troll.

[DarkSamus]

Which is why I liked your review so well. Please do more in the future, and thanks for the added information.

Thanx!
Ask me any time when it comes to 1 on 1 fighters, except SNK ones as I am very biased against them. Platformers and Survival horror <<Hint, hint at the next PC game I shall review!

After that I think will come a "New Super Mario Brothers" Wii review and lets just see what else :D

Awesome game, nice review.

Thanx koko!

I would like to let you know that you will be removed from my ignore list immediately following this post!

you swapped a mole for a troll.

I still like the troll more! :p

But anyway, this is way OT!

[snickothemule]

Well done with your review Darksamus my good chum, I might have to look into getting this game (sorta tossing up between this and Blaz Blu). I can see the coveted reviewer of the year plaque for 2009 is seeing some stiff competition. I look forward to seeing some further work from you mate :thumb:

[DarkSamus]

I told you at the time of last years awards that I was gonna have a shot at your throne when SF4 came out! :p

Remember my Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Snes) review from a few months ago?

[SNES] Street Fighter Alpha 2 (http://forums.ngemu.com/game-reviews/117404-snes-street-fighter-alpha-2-a.html)

[@ruantec]

Nice review shad :thumb:

SF4 is fantastic and i really like it... the only thing that bothers me is the difficulty level which is far behind other street fighter games i´ve seen(Tatsunoko vs capcom). yesterday i tried for the first time to beat the game using Ken in the hardest mode and went through the levels without problems.. Mr. Bison was the only one to beat me one round the rest(even seth) were just to easy to beat... taking in mind i was playing the game in the hardest mode available.

the only difference i noticed is that Seth is more agressive and make the moves he normally does in the second round when you´re playing in the standard mode. but other then that he was just too easy as usual. anyways that´s just the game but when playing against real oponents just as i did with a good friend of mine this weekend it was fun as hell.

[niuus]

This game is SO made of win. Let's wait for the mandatory Street Fighter IV - Champion Edition/Fourth Strike.

[DarkSamus]

This game is so beautifully crafted that I fear that they can't go better with the inevitable sequels and as such we will be handed a game that while is not bad by any stretch of the imagination still won't impress to the degree that SF4 does now!

[@ruantec]

The game is indeed great but there´s one thing i noticed in your pics DS.... for some reasons on my puter the characters looks better while the one you posted looks like the xbox 360 version... am using the standard settings for my pc... are you using the standard one or a higher one???? because the characters and the game looks better on mine judging by the pics :???: just wondering tho because you have a better GPU than mine but am playing at 1920x1200. maybe am wrong dunno :???:.

[DarkSamus]

My gpu is only powerful enough to run the game at that with all setings except AA maxed!!

AA is set to 4x, so maybe that could be the reason!

Other then that the res is set to 1680x1050 and all other settings are maxed and I don't use the filters as I like the original arcade look!

In around 2 weeks I shall be upgrading my gpu to a 285GTX so it should look even better then!

[@ruantec]

Well i was wondering because you have a better GPU than mine... but that explains why ;) btw you can go online and we can talk :p

[DarkSamus]

I wish Namco would release a PC version of SoulCalibur, or SEGA could release Virtua Fighter 5 or 6 to PC in the future.

The PC needs WAY more fighters for it!

[@ruantec]

I wish Namco would release a PC version of SoulCalibur, or SEGA could release Virtua Fighter 5 or 6 to PC in the future.

The PC needs WAY more fighters for it!

agree 100% there... SoulCalibur would rock on PC but sadly it´s all about market mate.. if SF4 is a success they will probably do it. also many companies such as nintendo and Sony make those games exclusives so they won´t show up in Windows.

[DarkSamus]

Exactly! I am hoping that SF4 will prove that PC gamers do like some of the console fighters and that they do in fact have a market that is almost entirely dry of the genre up to this point!

Can SF4 bring a revolution of 1 on 1 fighters to PC akin to the SF glory days of the mid 90's?? (Oh, How I miss them!) :(

Only time can tell! (But is probably 95% a pipe dream)

IF YOU LIKE FIGHTERS AND WANT TO SEE GAMES LIKE TEKKEN ETC... DEVELOPED FOR PC THEN BUY SF4. Prove there is a market with your dollars! I believe honestly that if gamers money is spent on quality games like SF4 then the companies will take notice!

I believe that Namco, SEGA and others are prob watching how this game sells!

[gamefreak94]

Great review DS!

The last SF I played was SF2 on the Genesis. I enjoyed it a lot and played it for years. For some reason I never bothered to play SF3, but this sounds good. Will probably pick it up some time.

[DarkSamus]

Just made a discovery that my graphics drivers were 4 months out of date. (March Update)

So I updated them and was able to get FAR better performance.

Old settings were everything max except res at 1680x1050 and the AA at a measly 4x.
Now everything is max at 1920x1200 except for the AA which is set to C16xAA

http://www.froggypic.com/image/07/13bc2346a9b981097602d2bd76839457.jpg

The rating says that I can turn settings higher as can be seen, but only one thing can go higher and that is the AA to C16xQ but this drops me to 5 fps.
Right now I get a constant 60fps with the action slowing to 50-55fps during Ultra Combo's!

See my OP for updated pics that were taken at the new settings and just plain look better!

[Silenus]

Awesome review of an awesome game.

SF4 Rocks hard.

[Paratech]

Great review DS!

The last SF I played was SF2 on the Genesis. I enjoyed it a lot and played it for years. For some reason I never bothered to play SF3, but this sounds good. Will probably pick it up some time.

If you have a 360 that has a hard drive, the Street Fighter Anniversary for the XBOX is backwards compatible on the 360. It has Street Fighter III 3rd Strike and Hyper Street Fighter, both are very good games. There is a PS2 version as well, but I don't know if it will play on the PS2 emulator or if it is any good...?

[DarkSamus]

It is good and plays reasonably in PCSX2!

[Paratech]

Thanks for the heads up.

[gamefreak94]

lol I just realized a major problem here. I only play FPS and racing games, and find the keyboard and mouse to be optimal for playing them, but I'm fairly convinced playing games like this with keyboard & mouse will be a major head-ache....all I have are 2 old PS2-like gamepads which don't even have analog or dual-shock.

And it'd be rather pointless to buy a game-pad solely to play SF4....especially when I don't play any other games of this genre.

[DarkSamus]

Your 2 old pads will be fine, analogue is not required and rumble is passable as well!

Pull out those old controllers and Ha-Do-Ken away!

[gamefreak94]

Really? Thanks ^^ I'll get this after I complete Tom Clancy's Vegas 2 :D

[Paratech]

I purchased it for the PC, but I can't see why someone who has the 360 would want to purchase the PC version, at least that was what I said to Samor.

Still I want to see the PC version sell quite well...

I want more games like this on the PC...Too bad King of Fighters XII won't be one, but they did remove Mai...

If they did release a PC version, I can see it now, pay $5 extra and we'll add Mai! ROTFLMAO ;)

[Samor]

If you have a 360 that has a hard drive, the Street Fighter Anniversary for the XBOX is backwards compatible on the 360. It has Street Fighter III 3rd Strike and Hyper Street Fighter, both are very good games. There is a PS2 version as well, but I don't know if it will play on the PS2 emulator or if it is any good...?

didnt test it on PCSX2, but it's great. I imported it from the US because it wasn't available in Europe.

I purchased it for the PC, but I can't see why someone who has the 360 would want to purchase the PC version, at least that was what I said to Samor.

Still I want to see the PC version sell quite well...

I want more games like this on the PC...Too bad King of Fighters XII won't be one, but they did remove Mai...

If they did release a PC version, I can see it now, pay $5 extra and we'll add Mai! ROTFLMAO ;)

...as long as she's also released as downloadable content on 360, I'm fine with it ;)

[ElijahTW]

Nice review. I'm going to pick this up for the 360 eventually.

[niuus]

lol I just realized a major problem here. I only play FPS and racing games, and find the keyboard and mouse to be optimal for playing them, but I'm fairly convinced playing games like this with keyboard & mouse will be a major head-ache....all I have are 2 old PS2-like gamepads which don't even have analog or dual-shock.

Why don't you just use that? As long as it has enough buttons and a comfortable d-pad, i don't see why not. I'm using a PS2 controller with the PC adaptor, works great.

And it'd be rather pointless to buy a game-pad solely to play SF4....especially when I don't play any other games of this genre.

I'd do it if i needed to, it's really worth it, but then again i just love Street Fighter to death. Been playing it since the old arcade days in the 90's.

[DarkSamus]

I'm using a PS2 controller with the PC adaptor, works great.

I play it this way as well, although I have 2 for some multiplayer goodness! (In the next month or so I will be pulling apart both ps2 controllers and will construct a large dual arcade stick for use with the game!

Just gotta go to the arcade and get the parts I need! But I will show pics and show the process I went through in a thread on the site!

I'd do it if i needed to, it's really worth it, but then again i just love Street Fighter to death. Been playing it since the old arcade days in the 90's.

I agree 100% with this but I also must add that every pc owner that likes fighters MUST buy this game if they want other fighters to appear on PC.

I guarantee Namco (Or any other company for that matter) would take notice and release a SouilCalibur/Tekken for PC if they felt it would be profitable to them!

We need to show them that there is a 1 on 1 fighter market on pc that deserves to be tapped!

[heatblazer]

Great review! I don`t like the game but the review is gamelicious!

[Xtreme2damax]

I bought this game during the Steam holiday sale, pretty good so far in my eyes. :)

[DarkSamus]

Thanx Heatblazer!

Glad you enjoy it Xtreme

[nosound.97]

Waiting for Super Street Fighter 4 now and great review by the way ;P

[DinJerr]

Haven't bought it, but played a lot on other peep's consoles/PCs. Didn't enjoy it as much as I would like it, so definitely waiting for SUPER to come out before I buy it for myself.

I like how Capcom promised DLCs, then.. f##k it, there's too much changes that needs to be made. Let's just make a new game instead. :lol:

Feels so much like the L4D2 scenario now.

[DragonMyth]

Pretty cool review. So it seems like Supers are now called Ultras. ULTRA HYPER COMBO FINISH!! Hmm. Well I'm SORT of a Street Fighter fan as my favorites are still street fighter alpha 2 and street fighter alpha 3 and for some reason.. I really don't care much for the others. The moves are more complex plus they have cool characters like akuma, gen, rainbow and sakura.

As far as you complaining about fighters not being on the PC I'd say get Final Burn Alpha. An awesome emulator that lets you play them single player or online.

[DarkSamus]

As far as you complaining about fighters not being on the PC I'd say get Final Burn Alpha. An awesome emulator that lets you play them single player or online.

I meant officially released fighters for PC

I know all about FBA ;)

[Samor]

I've got both SF4 and Super SF4 on xbox... might eventually get the regular one on pc as well (because more people I know have it on that), but only when I find it cheap.

It'd be nicer if the Super SF4 arcade edition would see a pc port, though.

[Princess Garnet]

It was on sale recently on Steam during the holiday sale for $15. Not sure what it was in Europe, since I know one of Valve's weaknesses is pricing in different regions (on some rare ocasisons, it's cheaper for the United Kingdom, but most of the time, most of Europe, and Australia also, pay alot more). I was thinking of grabbing it but passed on it. Looking back, I sort of wish I'd had grabbed it, but I have no pressing desire for it right now, so I don't regret not getting it or anything. Maybe if it goes on sale again.

[Silenus]

I'm going to get SSF4 on PS3 soon.

[DragonMyth]

I meant officially released fighters for PC

I know all about FBA ;)

Yes but you have to take into consideration that not everyone can use a controller for their PC. And people would totally get schooled with a keyboard possibly. And consoles are widely popular for sticks and buttons.

[DarkSamus]

Yes but you have to take into consideration that not everyone can use a controller for their PC. And people would totally get schooled with a keyboard possibly. And consoles are widely popular for sticks and buttons.

Yes, but if your a PC owning fighter fan, you would silly to not get a controller.

Also, Keyboard is proving to be one of the best ways to play the game as long as you can adjust to it

[SCHUMI_4EVER]

Stop bumping this thread :( You're making me all sad that I missed my chance to buy in the shops it would seem.

[Samor]

Yes, but if your a PC owning fighter fan, you would silly to not get a controller.

Also, Keyboard is proving to be one of the best ways to play the game as long as you can adjust to it

http://forums.ngemu.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=213701&stc=1&d=1296787548

(warning screen in Super Meat Boy PC)

[DarkSamus]

:lol:

[DragonMyth]

LOL a sega genesis controller or sega saturn controller would probably be the best choice for the fighting games. The xbox 360 directional pad seems to be too hard in it's movements, and using a more softer direction would make moving about more easier. At least I figure anyways. I use a ps2 controller, which would probably be better than a 360 controller, but yet worse than a sega.