Virtua Fighter 5 Review

By Graham Swann Published 26 October, 2007

"Can you feel the real power? Go back to school..."

Version tested: Xbox 360

Anybody that tells you Virtua Fighter 5 is anything other than the best 3D fighter on the market is, quite simply, wrong. With its fluid and deeply personal combat and wonderfully varied cast, SEGA's latest brawler is an absolute triumph in every sense. But then you knew that already - we told you such back when the PlayStation 3 version came out earlier in the year. Now, though, it's the turn of 360 owners everywhere to see what we've been raving about for months with this augmented version, finally arriving boasting a plentiful supply of new content while still retaining everything that made the PS3 version such a delight.

Being based on the Version C arcade board, this new version of VF5 includes character balancing tweaks aplenty and even new moves and move properties that PS3 owners won't have enjoyed. Some weaker characters have been beefed up a touch while moves that were seen to be easily exploitable find themselves toned down accordingly to make the whole thing just feel that much more balanced, which is quite something as the fights came over pretty fair first time around.

More amusing if perhaps not so important from a gameplay perspective, is the feast of new dress-up items that Version C also introduces, adding hundreds of new items into the mix which as usual can be won from Item Battles, given as rewards for reaching certain ranks or simply purchased in the shop. You now start out Quest mode with 50,000 moneys too, meaning that you'll be able to customise your chosen fighter to a mild degree before you even throw your first punch.

'Virtua Fighter 5' Screenshot 1

Don't look so surprised.

But the main reason you're reading this is probably to find out just how well the new online side of the game works, which is fortunate as we're about to tell you. Pretty damn well is the short answer and in general, lag doesn't affect the game anywhere near as drastically as we feared it might. After hundreds of fights, only few were anything close to the slideshow that is DOA4's online mode and you can usually get a fair idea of how the connection if from the pre-match stage fly-by - if it stutters, you're in trouble but otherwise, things should be fine. When you are unlucky enough to get a laggy match, drops cause button inputs to be missed which in turn leads to the wrong moves coming out. There's no chance for anything fancy here and players know it too, as exemplified by a Vanessa player we came across in a particularly slowdown-riddled game who decided his best bet was to simply spam the punch button and hope for the best. What a knucklehead.

At its best, though, VF5's online battles are almost as good as fighting somebody in the same room. You'll lose a few frames here and there, sure, making some hit throws and complex moves as well as high-level techniques like fuzzy guarding (tapping down while guarding exactly as attacks land to prevent damage from all heights of attack) pretty tough, but this won't worry too many normal players. Once you adapt to this (and learn how to cope with the occasional lag-fest, which is always going to happen now and again, especially without any kind of connection quality gauge), you'll establish that, while it might be a slightly different proposition to face-to-face versus play depending largely on your character and skill level, this is a welcome and incredibly well implemented feature.

'Virtua Fighter 5' Screenshot 2

Only donkeys kick.

Slightly less impressive is the VF.TV mode, which we'd raised our hopes for and hoped would be kind of like PGR's Gotham TV, where you can watch the best players compete and track all kinds of stats. Instead, it just plays home to a replay theatre and stock exhibition matches, which are pretty impressive to watch but not a patch on having the same display of quality linked to a Gamertag that you then know to watch out for. There's also a rankings option here, tracking your best arcade scores and times and comparing them with the rest of the world and doing much the same for your online performance.

While character appearances from Quest mode are carried over into online play, match data and rank are not, meaning that you'll have two totally different sets of data to keep track of. There's also a score attributed to each player, a simple system that awards four points for a win and one for a loss, meaning the people topping that particular leaderboard will in time just be the ones that play the game the most. Who should, by merit of them playing it so much, also be some of the best players by that point, so while it isn't an ideal ranking system, it's better than some we've seen.

'Virtua Fighter 5' Screenshot 3

This is why you don't wear beads.

One thing to watch out for, though, is which side of the screen you'll be fighting on. A match's host always takes the Player 1 side, while those joining fight from the right (to party). This would be fine, if it weren't for the fact that so many people have fallen into bad habits from the single-player mode and have trouble with the Player 2 side. People seemed far more keen to host matches than to join them in our experience, but so long as you're okay with being on the right hand side, this only means there'll always be plenty of games to join.

The other thing to watch out for is control settings, which for some reason jump to Player 2's set-up when you join a game. Where we play using a stick (the Hori EX2 stick, which is an absolute peach) with totally remapped controls, being thrust onto Player 2's default controls in the first game we joined was something of a shock and unsurprisingly a loss ensued. So yeah, set up both button sets to be the same before you go online if you don't want a similar nasty surprise.

'Virtua Fighter 5' Screenshot 4

Would you like to see my sense of humour?

You already know just how much we love this game. And now, with an online mode that actually works and a wealth of new goodies to round up (not to mention the lure of Gamerpoints making us more likely to push for the higher ranks or actually play through arcade mode for once), we love it even more. Best fighting game on the 360, easily. Best fighting game of this generation, easily. Best version of this sterling beat-'em-up, easily.

If you've yet to play VF5 (or Virtua Fighter at all for that matter), this is the point at which you should do something to change that. You owe it to yourself to sample how close to perfection SEGA has come with this and you owe it to SEGA to give something back to the people behind this outstanding fighter and boost the already huge VF community. Prepare your hammy taunts, stock up on Red Bull and don't make allowances for old men - you've got a hell of a lot of fighting to do.

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Graham.

About Graham Swann

Read more articles from Graham by visiting the Graham Swann archive page.

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Comments (109) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dukkha #1 4 years ago

    I started reading this review hoping for a low score - there just isn't enough time for all good games. Well, I guess I'll buy this and the Witcher and not go outside this weekend.

  • 1Dgaf #2 4 years ago

    Ah, I'm glad the online works well. I'd seen people say as much in VF fora, but it's good to have it confirmed here.

    I've set up a group for VF players.

    [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/forum_threads.php?group_id=753
    ]    http://ww w.eurogamer.net/forum_threads.p...[/link]

    I hope the link is sufficient to join - I've not set up a group before.

  • kangarootoo #3 4 years ago

    "I hope the link is sufficient to join - I've not set up a group before"

    Denied!

  • kangarootoo #4 4 years ago

    If people view their own profile, click on the groups tab, and then look in the "new groups" section they should find 1Dgaf's group.

  • Gojira #5 4 years ago

    Wolf FTW!

  • Miths #6 4 years ago

    Just bought it an hour ago. Too bad I only got two hours of sleep last night, so I'm afraid I'll need to pass out for a while before I fire up my 360 :p.

    Really looking forward to playing this - even though I've never exactly been a huge fan of these fighting games.

  • Yaster #7 4 years ago

    Cool, now fix that bloody controller

  • lennon #8 4 years ago

    I was genuinely impressed by the demo which is unusual for me as I hate fighting games. However its still no sale as I have far to many ga,es to play at this point in time.

  • 1Dgaf #9 4 years ago

    The group was set to 'public, but tell me when people join'. It's now set to 'Public - full steam ahead and damn the torpedos!'.

    So, er, maybe that will help. Also, the group's called 'Virtua Fighter 5 360'.

  • afray #10 4 years ago

    \o/

  • Socrates #11 4 years ago

    I am glad the only fighting games I like are boxing games, another mustplay game would have been too much.

  • pinchofsalt #12 4 years ago


    It might be visually stunning but I was looking for some next-gen advancements such as proper collision (punches actually hitting a character rather than 'landing' with a visible gap), some sort of collision effects (sweat sprays would have sufficed if blood was too mature), utilsing new animation techniques rather than the over-used head-snap-back anim (how about some Endorphin applications?), and whats with the HUGELY annoying array of voice overs that play simultaneously so it feels like loads of people are shouting in your ear.
    Rubbish.

  • the_sas_man #13 4 years ago

    NO MORE GOOD GAMES!!!!! PLEASE I BEG YOU!

    *goes overdrawn on bank account*

  • afghan_jones #14 4 years ago

    another week, another top scoring 360 game.

    all these top games are putting strain on my marriage...

  • LeD #15 4 years ago

    "Best version of this sterling beat-'em-up, easily."

    Another slap in the offline PS3's face. Someone tell the police!

  • Wobble #16 4 years ago

    psthreowned?

    glad I bought the stick 2 weeks ago :)

  • Uncle_Fishboy #17 4 years ago

    I just knew this would get a high score. Eurogamer bash one out again over wank fighthing games that hold the attention of most people for about 4 minutes. When are people going to admit that these games are, quite frankly, dogshit.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 15:25

  • Triggerhappytel #18 4 years ago

    "Really looking forward to playing this - even though I've never exactly been a huge fan of these fighting games."

    That's exactly how I feel. I don't really 'do' fighting games, but Virtua Fighter 4 Evo is my favourite fighting game ever. It's just so many nice touches and so much depth and precision that other fighters don't have.

    Anyway, I'll pick this up at some point when I get a 360.

  • Rirekon #19 4 years ago

    I'm curious how "SEGA's latest brawler is an absolute triumph in every sense" translates to a 9/10, especially when it reads like a solid 10/10...

  • Santino #20 4 years ago

    "I just knew this would get a high score. Eurogamer bash one out again over wank fighthing games that hold the attention of most people for about 4 minutes. When are people going to admit that these games are, quite frankly, dogshit."

    i mean this in the kindest way possible.... FUCK YOU!!!!!

  • Azazel #21 4 years ago

    Yes, but they gave the PS3 version 9/10, so giving this 10 would destroy teh interwebs.

  • miiiguel #22 4 years ago

    Ok, don't care about beeing probably raped online. I will have this.

  • Zomoniac #23 4 years ago

    Anybody that tells you Virtua Fighter 5 is anything other than the best 3D fighter on the market is, quite simply, wrong.

    But Soul Calibur clearly is. Besides, VF5 isn't a 3D fighter. Any game where pressing up makes you jump is so 1992.

  • Santino #24 4 years ago

    in reality u barely ever jump in the game, it just puts u at an immediate disadvantage and likely to get some serious damage against you.

  • Kryon #25 4 years ago

    HAHAHAHAALOL ROFL LMAO PS3LOL. IN YOUR FACE PS3 GAYS

    sorry.

  • Calgon #26 4 years ago

    :) See who says SEGA havent still got it?

    I hope this gen is return to form for them, they deserve a bit of good fortune too.

    edit: /Sony Fanboy Type Rant mode on - "yeah I really cant see why anyone would want PS3 now, its shit and that, its the last playstation... good riddance Sony scourge of the games industry"
    Edited by 2 at 26/10/07 @ 16:02

  • FooAtari #27 4 years ago

    Uncle Fishboy. Im far from the worlds biggest fighting game fan, but who are you to judge what other gamers like?

    Im a fan of racing sims. Games like Grand Prix Legends and Richard Burns Rally (not your half assed attempts like Forza and GT). I'm sure most people get bored to tears of these games in a matter of minutes, and many may say the same thing about them as you have said about fighting games. But I have probably spent more hours sat at my desk behind the wheel playing sims like GPL, RBR and GP2 than the rest of my games put together. Just the other day I did about 50 laps in one session, around the same circuit perfecting my line and setup. And over the last few days I reckon I have done over 100 laps around the same circuit. Sure that would bore the crap out of most people, not me though :)

  • gelf #28 4 years ago

    Grr now I really need to get myself a 360, I've wanted to play VF online for a long long time.

  • Apologie #29 4 years ago

    Kryon

    HAHAHAHAALOL ROFL LMAO PS3LOL. IN YOUR FACE PS3 GAYS

    _______________________________________________________

    Man you really are stupid, Ps3 have VF5 for 32 Euros or something..., the same game for much less, and available since what??? MARCH.

    I never cared for on-line in fighting games and the new content isn't worth it considering the x360 version price, compared to the PS3.

    Plus, the Ps controller is much better for fighting games.
    Edited by 2 at 26/10/07 @ 16:09

  • miiiguel #30 4 years ago

    Apologie, you're obsessed with "cheap" stuff. Cheap online, cheap games, cheap console...

  • Kryon #31 4 years ago

    Apologie Am cRy...lol

    It's not the same game kiddywink. This version is BETTER.

  • Kryon #32 4 years ago

    "I never cared for on-line in fighting games "

    Why, is it because you get your fanboy arse kicked?

  • Arwin #33 4 years ago

    Great stuff for 360 owners (hey, that's me too!)

    However, it's kind of Eurogamer not to mention the controls ... The 360's controller needs some tweaking (some guides on the interwebs), or you'll miss some inputs from there instead of from the d-pad. Otherwise an arcade stick will be required material.

    That said, is there an option to play with the analog sticks on the controller instead, and if so, is it any good?

    And now that old friend Peter Moor is working for EA and no longer for Microsoft, could Sega perhaps also consider releasing a patch for the PS3 version? :p
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 16:09

  • Kryon #34 4 years ago

    This is what makes me laugh, PS3 gets 360 ports and they're on average worse than the original 360 version. 360 gets PS3 ports and they are better than the original.

    TEH POWA OF TEH CELL!!!111!!!lol

  • miiiguel #35 4 years ago

    I like any kinda game, as long it's good. In fact I like to keep collection as ecletic as possible, and I was missing a fighting game (and usually I'm not very good at them - I almost drove myself insane to get the whole 1K G's @ DJ: Icon). VF5 you're most welcome.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 16:14

  • glaeken #36 4 years ago

    So how can this score the same as the PS3 version when it has the addition of online play that sounds like it works well. Surely that has to be worth an extra mark? It's quite a big extra feature for it to result in no change in score.

  • 1Dgaf #37 4 years ago

    Apologies,

    I don't understand your reasoning.

    Fighting games are about competition. They always have been. Online play makes it much easier to find competition and vastly increases the range of competition you'll have.

    It seems to me online play is quite possibly the best reason to buy the 360 version, even if you already own the PS3 one.

    EDIT:

    Arwin,

    The demo had analogue-stick play. They worked surprisingly well -- better than the dpad, certainly.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 16:16

  • miiiguel #38 4 years ago

    glaeken: diferent scales, as of now a 9/10 game on a PS3 is clearly a 7/10 on a 360.

    Apologies: dude, you're going to get yourself older sooner than you should..., lighten up. 360 is the best games console so far, as it has the best games, it's clear and obvious. That doesn't mean you have a bad machine just because there's one better.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 16:20

  • Apologie #39 4 years ago

    VF is good but TEKKEN own's all fighting games... that's the truth

  • Kryon #40 4 years ago

    @glaeken

    Don't sweat it, check Metacritic, the 360 game is widely considered the definitive version. EG just got scared of comments from Apologie, Les, yellowtruck and the rest of the DorrisDay-Station fanboys.

  • Fitzmogwai #41 4 years ago

    You know what? This might actually be the game that convinces me to buy a 360.

    Alternatively, when's it coming out on the Wii? (ho ho.)

  • Apologie #42 4 years ago

    VF5... , man, thouse are old new's... except for X360 owners.

  • miiiguel #43 4 years ago

    Apologie: a couple of days ago, you had a 360...
    tip: "to own" is so gamespot...
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 16:22

  • BM #44 4 years ago

    Apologie "Plus, the Ps controller is much better for fighting games"

    What a load of old balls that is. I can state now that any pad is supremely gash for this type of game, arcade sticks are where it's at and nowhere else

  • Muzakjunkie #45 4 years ago

    Its not bad at all, but its not that bloody good! I'm thinking Super Street Fighter 2 Hyper Fighting HD will wipe the floor with it.

  • Kryon #46 4 years ago

    Apologie is really upset now, he's biting his lip with a tear quivering in his eye... poor kid.
    Don't worry son, one day the PS3 might have a good game or two :(

  • bdc #47 4 years ago

    omg how much did sega pay you??//

  • Apologie #48 4 years ago

    @Kryon
    Don't sweat it, check Metacritic, the 360 game is widely considered the definitive version. EG just got scared of comments from Apologie, Les, yellowtruck and the rest of the DorrisDay-Station fanboys.

    __________________________________

    On the contrary, what i see is an urgent tendency to celebrate X360 games by critisizing the Ps3, like you do, and did in past reviews... "but i understand that ignorant attitude, Ps3 is begining to bring a lot of good games" and that naturally makes X360 nerds very very nervous.
    Who cares abou VF5... thouse like i said are old old news...

  • Kryon #49 4 years ago

    "thouse like i said are old old news..."

    Oh, you mean like most of the PS3 catalogue? You know, all them sloppy seconds 360 ports you get (that are not even as good even though you have to wait a year to play them) lol

  • Hog-lumps #50 4 years ago

    omg, this thread is depressing....it's like overhearing an argument in a school playground.

  • Muzakjunkie #51 4 years ago

    Why oh why oh why do these comments sections always degenerate into groups of fanboys ranting about their consoles being better than the other one.

    FFS the merits of the various systems are clear to see these days, there are good and bad points about all of them. Can you not just comment about the game in question?

    Seeing as its a comments thread about a game and all that, Just a thought.

  • miiiguel #52 4 years ago

    Apologie entertain us, every time a good/great 360 game spawns (hummm... like, every two days).

    It's not a group of fanboys, it's "Apologie" vs "common sense".
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 16:45

  • BM #53 4 years ago

    miiiguel

    I own a 360, but even I'm beginning to yawn at your comments

  • miiiguel #54 4 years ago

    Not much of a fair comment as as you know it wasn't (isn't) just Oblivion that came late to the party.

    What I find odd is that, this "under delivering" from PS3 part, is clearly not the consumers fault (yours), it's Sony, or devs, or whatever. The passionate way you excuse some poor decisions/events by bashing other consoles (or even brands), doens't make much sense. 360 is a great games machine, isn't that clear ? Why is hard to admit ? Does it hurt ?

    BM: me too... and I own two 360's.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 16:53

  • Pulsar_t #55 4 years ago

    hmmm and mr frod what does the PS3 offer in this regard?!

  • Kryon #56 4 years ago

    @Egster

    Oblivion being a good port, is an exception. That is the difference.

  • miiiguel #57 4 years ago

    Taking the risk of looking more and more like a Xanax, I'd like to admit that the Zune (for instance) I bought isn't a very good device, IMO. I should have bought an iPod.
    There you go...

  • Kryon #58 4 years ago

    @frod

    DoA4 = 85/100

    VF5 (on PS3) = 85/100

    VF5 (on 360) = 90/100

    (According to Metacritic)

    So, yeah, now the 360 has both of the best next gen fighters available. The PS3 has one of them but it's the 'lite' version.

    Aww, don't cry.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/07 @ 17:29

  • Apologie #59 4 years ago

    Kryon

    What a fanboy you are... DOA4??? lol... even tekken5 for the Ps2 is better, not to mention the next Tekken game (exclusive for the Ps3).

  • Ryze #60 4 years ago

    Apologie - do us all a favour and fuck off back to Gamespot m8.

    Here's a link:

    http://us.gamespot.com/ tosser

  • Kryon #61 4 years ago

    "What a fanboy you are"

    What was that old saying about a pot and a kettle? hmmm...Was it, your mum bought a kettle and exchanged it for a pot while a black man shagged her up the bum or something? I can't quite remember how the saying went?

    PS3lol

  • Feanor #62 4 years ago

    EG should get rid of comments threads if this pathetic rubbish is what's going to fill them.

  • Pablo2k5 #63 4 years ago

    I love beat-em-ups but I played this on the PS3 and it is shit.

    Can't believe it got a 9...

  • JonFE #64 4 years ago

    While Oblivion is a perfectly good example of an great x360 port to PS3 (which could be attributed to one year of extra development time), in many ways seems to be the exception that defines the rule. I mean, how many other games can you remember in a similar fashion?

    VF5, on the other hand, was announced as an PS3 exclusive, that would be difficult to be done on hardware other than the PS3, because GPU's provided by nVidia to both the PS3 and the Lindbergh share certain handy similarities and without online mode due to the various barriers for the network gaming.

    Apparently, both of these hurdles were lifted and the game turned out to be great (for which I'm very pleased). This may sadden PS3 fans and please x360 fans (who got another thing to brag about), but overall everybody wins...

  • Xerx3s #65 4 years ago

    I'm just glad the xbots can finally get to play a proper beat 'em up and don't need to pretend that they "prefer Dead or Alive". LOL.

    Oh look, a sony defence fool. ¬_¬

  • Xerx3s #66 4 years ago

    HAHAHAHAALOL ROFL LMAO PS3LOL. IN YOUR FACE PS3 GAYS

    Trolling or anti trolling, that post was still pretty lame. o_0

  • Xerx3s #67 4 years ago

    If I already played this on the ps3, is there any need for me to buy this for the 360 (apart from online)? You know, with the dpad being completely rubbish that.

  • TONYgr #68 4 years ago

    the game rocks on the 360.
    but i am gonna get that hori stick asap.

  • Xerx3s #69 4 years ago

    I'm out, I got The Orange Box (360) today, amazing I tell you!

    Found it rather disappointing. :/

  • 1Dgaf #70 4 years ago

    Xerxes,

    The need is online play. The need is you and me, handbags at dawn.

  • captainrentboy #71 4 years ago

    For anyone interested, I work in Game and there's a deal on this week where you get Virtua Fighter 5 on the 360 for £19.99 if you buy it with any other 360 title, sure that in itself isn't particularly special, BUT, a lot of stores didn't get the proper stickers so they've had to put the game out as £19.99 when bought with ANYTHING, so pick it up with some shitty clearance title and you can get it for £21, I'm not sure how that compares to other retailers, but still, it's pretty effing cheap.

  • smelly #72 4 years ago

    Why are you people arguing about 360/ps3? They BOTH have virtua fighter 5 on them. It's a good game, if you enjoy it on your system - why are you moaning?

    If you arent enjoying it - then great.. talk about that here.

    But if you are enjoying it - i fail to see the problem?

  • TRUTH #73 4 years ago

    Dead Or Alive was actually a great game. Sure you can button bash, but if you learn the moves and reversals with blocks then play the game with a skilled player it's the best 3d brawler - Fast, tactical and exciting to watch. An unskilled played will be out in seconds...VF is a bit slow and less exciting for me...But my personal favourite fighter can still be played on my 360: Streetfighter III Third Strike (Xbox) - and it's 2D.

  • yagisencho #74 4 years ago

    I'll definitely pick this up...eventually.

    (Bought VF4 for PS2 but haven't bothered with it much. Just not in the mood for button combo memorization).

  • mkreku #75 4 years ago

    The Xbox 360 has the greatest library of good games.

    The Playstation 3 has the most features and most reliable hardware (apparently).

    The Wii has.. uh.. a billion Mario titles and an underutilized controller.

    What's so hard to understand about this?

  • dllord #76 4 years ago

    Street Fighter 4 FTW!

  • Skywise #77 4 years ago

    If the people in this thread are any indication of the people you will meet playing VF 5 online, then I'd prefer offline gaming any day. Many just sound like 5 year olds....

  • Lyingarden #78 4 years ago

    I haven't bought a fighting game for years and this seems like a great way to get back into them.

    My only concern is that i've heard VF is quite punishing if you're not used to fighters.

    Any truth to this? I don't want pay for the pleasure of getting my arse handed to me over and over....

  • rommy667 #79 4 years ago

    Its a good game and im glad it came to 360,but for some reason i still prefer vf2 on the sat go figure.....

  • Ryze #80 4 years ago

    Fighters Megamix on the Saturn - not played it for 5 years, but it's a mere 3 metres from where I'm sat right now...

    /is tempted...

    /...to play as the Daytona USA Hornet Gallup fighting car

  • Miths #81 4 years ago

    "My only concern is that i've heard VF is quite punishing if you're not used to fighters.

    Any truth to this? I don't want pay for the pleasure of getting my arse handed to me over and over...."

    I'm sure you'll get your ass kicked rather severely if you plan to go online and play against experienced players, unless you spend days, weeks and months learning moves and tactics for just one or a few characters, but I've just spent a few hours messing around a bit with various characters plus playing leisurely through the first part of the quest mode against the AI (virtual arcade players), and on normal difficulty the first 20 quest mode fights were a breeze. No losses - and I've been doing little more than extremely simple punch and kick combos, basically just trying to learn to anticipate and react to basic AI moves before I head into the training dojo to try to learn some of the more advanced tricks from the huge command lists.

    I'm sure the quest mode difficulty will ramp up sooner or later (otherwise you can just jack it up a level or two manually - or go online and get the shit kicked out of you :p), but it actually seems surprisingly newbie friendly.
    I heard the AI in Dead or Alive 4 was hard as nails right from the get go, but VF5 is definately a smooth ride in the beginning at least.

    And of course the amazing graphics - and the item unlocking and rank progression in the quest mode - are other great incentives to play VF5, even if you never make it to the point where you can be truly competitive online :).

  • Lyingarden #82 4 years ago

    Thanks for the detailed response!

    Looks like this is a definite buy then :)

  • Kryon #83 4 years ago

    @Xerx3s

    "Trolling or anti trolling, that post was still pretty lame. o_0"

    It was definitely trolling son but thanks for letting me know that you believed it to be 'lame'. I actually think that people who use numbers instead of letters in their names are a bit lame, so there you go.

  • Kryon #84 4 years ago

    So anyway, It would seem that at present, The 360 has:

    The best range of Fighters.
    The best range of FPS's.
    The best range of Racers.
    The best range of JRPG's (yep fraid so)
    The Largest amount of 10/10 AAA titles. (infact I don't think the Wii or PS3 have any do they?)

    Of any nextgen console. So to all the tards who keep saying "yer but no but teh free60 is just for teh FPS", I'd say it's time to STFU.

    PS. I'm not a fanboy, neither is Apologie, smelly or TRUTH.

  • Skywise #85 4 years ago

    @Kyron: you are correct at present

  • Kryon #86 4 years ago

    "No, the racers are mostly shit"

    Metacritic -

    PGR3 - 88/100

    PGR4 - 85/100

    Forza 2 - 90/100

    And thats just the exclusive titles. If that's 'shit' then you're a nonce.

  • Kryon #87 4 years ago

    "even Tekken 5 is better than DoA4"

    We are talking 'nextgen' here so you obviously mean Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection.

    DoA4 - 85/100

    Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection - 82/100

    Sorry, you lose again :(

  • Kryon #88 4 years ago

    "Metacritic only tells half the story"

    Metacritic tells you what professional unbiased people (who get paid for their opinions) think. My original post clearly states that the 360 has the best library at present nothing more, nothing less. I understand that the truth upsets some people, this however is not my problem. Yes, you can claim "yer but no but teh powa of teh cell will win in teh end innit" but that's neither here nor there kid.

  • Kryon #89 4 years ago

    "Yet DiRT is better on the PS3"

    Not according to Metacritic.

    Oh and as for all the great XBox1 racers, the 360 has B/C...Unlike the new PS3...
    Edited by 1 at 27/10/07 @ 11:02

  • Kryon #90 4 years ago

    Well, it's nice to see we all agree that the 360 is the pioneer of nextgen gaming at this moment in time:)

  • Kryon #91 4 years ago

    "which is kind of a given considering the headstart. "

    You like to say the 360 had a head start, I prefer to look at it in real terms, the PS3 was delayed and arrived late. That's no ones fault except Sony's.

  • Kryon #92 4 years ago

    No, you just bought an XBox extremely late you big cheapskate ;)

  • TheJuriel #93 4 years ago

    I also was expecting something next-gen, like strikes actually landing, not visually whiffing but still causing damage because they brushed the too-big hitbox of the target...

    Rubbish, give me something with some thought put into it.

  • Kryon #94 4 years ago

    Well Koopa, I've tried extremely hard to annoy you and as of yet you haven't called me any names, so you must be alright XD

  • Bangaioh #95 4 years ago

    I think this might be my next choice...
    Edited by 1 at 27/10/07 @ 13:09

  • ParanoidZombie #96 4 years ago

    Rallisport challenge 2 is not backwards-compatible, BTW. I was extremely shocked by this when i got my x360, because this was my favorite xbox game along with Ninja Gaiden Black. Can you please explain why you are talking about racing games in the middle of a VF5 thread??? Beats me...

    On topic: VF5=great, bought this 2 days ago, online works fine even if the matchmaking system is not that good (after halo 3, most matchmaking systems look a bit obsolete....). And you can't watch/save replays in online versus, that's bullcrap.

  • Vice.Destroyer #97 4 years ago

    Well, I am going to ignore all the previous comments in this thread and just say that I have bought the game and it looks pretty and seems to have many, many moves.

    But at the risk of being banned from Eurogamer, I still say that Dead or Alive 3 is the fighting game on a home console that I had the most fun with. Fun, outrageously over the top, a nice line in reversals and stunning to look at. Playing with a person that understands the importance of reversals and knows the moves never gets old. Dead or Alive 4 was a poor, poor sequel and actually took five steps backwards in my opinion. VF5 I am just getting started on, butDOA3 is the daddy.

    And does anybody else find it mildly annoying that the web adverts for VF5 call the Xbox 'X-box'? Shouldn't someone get his nose broken for that?

  • HelloWorld #98 4 years ago

    I kind of want to want this, but the collision detection looks all messed up, and people bounce off the ground. This has nothing to do with "next gen ness" or anything like that- i guess you could make a virtua fighter with correctly sized "hitboxes" on the amiga or whatever. I don't get why they make it all messed up.
    Edited by 1 at 27/10/07 @ 16:52

  • Kryon #99 4 years ago

    "Dead or Alive lacks all those features"

    You obviously haven't ever played it.

  • Skywise #100 4 years ago

    @Vice Destroyer: so far I've only played DOA 1, DOA 2, DOA 3 and VT 3: TB. How would you say DOA 3 compares to VF 5? Does VF 5 have tag battles or the DOA-ring outs? What about the speed of VF? VF 3 50hz was so slow on my Dreamcast...

    Is VF much deeper than DOA or are they more or less the same?

  • Vice.Destroyer #101 4 years ago

    @Skywise. Getting me to compare DOA3 and VF5 is a little unfair to VF, just for the reason that me and my housemate played DOA3 for at least 2 years. It was the one game that we both knew inside out. But picking up VF5, (and bear in mind that I have only had it for two nights, as of writing) you may notice that the combat does not move as quite as quick as DOA3. Whether that is good or bad, is obviously a personal thing.

    Forget tag teams. VF5 does not know the meaning of the phrase. Again, is that a big loss? For you to make your mind up. And in terms of is VF deeper? Well, I'll say this. I found DOA3 deep enough to play for two years. I have always been quietly disappointed at the gamers that described DOA3 as a poor example of a beat-em-up. 60+ offensive moves per character? Shared between throws, reversals and juggling combos? And you call that a crap game?

    Anyways, because I have never owned a dreamcast, or any PlayStation console, I haven't had a VF game at home ever. But there are loads of moves. And the game seems a lot more forgiving than DOA3 ever was. But then, Tecmo does believe that a game has to be hard, to be played.

    But I suppose my bottom line is this. VF5 has a lot more in common with DOA3 than the internet (read: the 'purists' that call the DOA series a beat-em-up devoid of skill) would be prepared to admit. In other words, I think this game is going to be loads of fun

  • Skywise #102 4 years ago

    @ViceDestroyer: if I believed DOA to be a crap series then I wouldn't have played it so much. I really like the tag team and the multi layered stages of DOA, and the speed.
    For characters I still think Tekken is king, but ever since Soul Calibur I cannot enjoy any of the Tekkens even a bit anymore. Tekken 3 used to be my fav PS 1 game :p

    Compared to Soul Calibur I never feel quite as much in control of the DOA characters, but if the DOA and VF series are pretty much alike to you I will definately give VF 5 a try (once I get a console to play it :p)

  • Vice.Destroyer #103 4 years ago

    @Skywise: No, no, you misread that. I didn't say that YOU said that DOA was a crap game, I meant 'you' as in you people call that a crap game?.

    And one last thing. VF5 is a really good game, but it is not a game worth bying a console for. Especially since it's online implementation seems a little lacking. Don't get me wrong, the fights are topnotch. Virtually no lag, especially compared to DOA4. But there is no lobby system. So basically, after every ranked game means that you have to find a new opponent. Which, like, sucks. I haven't tried unranked games, but if the forums are to be believed, if you want to change characters, you have to quit out of the game, select your new character and get going again.

    Taken in context, if a lobby system is the sacrifice for a lag-free VF5, I'll take it, but it seems a little strange after DOA4.
    Edited by 1 at 28/10/07 @ 01:43

  • Skywise #104 4 years ago

    thanks a lot Vice for the info :)

  • ParanoidZombie #105 4 years ago

    "learn how to cope with the occasional lag-fest, which is always going to happen now and again, especially without any kind of connection quality gauge"

    You have to update this: there IS a connection quality gauge. See the little antenna next to the gamertag in the opponent selection screen? Green= good, grey=bad.

  • binky #106 4 years ago

    Bill - do you know if this offer is still allowed when trading in other crap against the purchase price?

  • tinners #107 4 years ago

    Right after solid play and being a hugeeee fan of fighting games, taking the fight to sega world's arcades and many a winner stays on matches down Namco world, the one across the road from troccadero which was shamelessly turned into a night club. damn you people!!!! :*(

    VF has gotta be the deepest most intense fighting experience going, as much as i love tekken and caliber and DOA to a lesser extent there is just nothing quite as deep as facing some guy from japan who can pull off moves quicker than you can press the punch button. There is such a scope between different levels of skill it also makes it less user friendly compared to something like DOA which is pleasing to the eye but ultimately gets to a point where it can’t really be taken any further and there is noting new left to learn. Anyone who’s still learning moves and techniques from the last VF should know this.

    So because of this i hoped SEGA would at least make the online menus simple and effective, rather than slow and overcomplicated for no real reason as far as i can tell.

    There is no option to select a character after initially choosing your first, you have to exit your current game and then select a new character, then host another online game (then invite someone if you wanna involve mates lol), i mean come on SEGA have you never heard of a lobby?? this is definitely where DOA excels.

    Also this completely takes away the point of tactics in any ranked matches. In the arcades someone picks Wolf for example the other person if there good that is knows who to pick to hopefully counter this character which is the same with every character in the game. But can this be done over Live?….nope!!!!, because you have no clue who the other person has picked first so mismatches are apparent in nearly every game.

    Nothing more annoying than finding the epitome of fighting only to be dumbfounded by the lack of thought gone into the online play which for me so far has been lag free, but the menus are long winded, all SEGA needs to do is add “character select” once both players are connected.

    They gotta do a patch for this surely? *prays*

  • Skywise #108 4 years ago

    @Tinners: I am glad they didn't add support to change your character based on the opponents character. As a newcomer to the series, I want to dive deep into just one character and learn her well.

    You would always be able to choose the best opponent for my character if they made this possible, thereby totally destroying the online experience for me :(

    Offline I can take any character luckily, my friends are a bit crap at fighting games XD

  • Luckz #109 4 years ago

    Vice.Destroyer: I just can't let any claim that DoA3 is a decent game stand. It's the worst button masher shitheap I've seen.