Virtua Fighter 4: Web Wombat: Games

Much like all other fighting games, Virtua Fighter 4 has about a dozen fighters all owning their own different fighting styles, with libraries of moves.

Although this is probably coming across as your average fighting game, the feel of VF4 and the effort put into the realism of the fighting techniques is very evident throughout the game, and demonstrates the greater and unique aspects found within.

From boxing, to kung-fu, to the stereotypical wrestler, VF4 has a great range of fighting styles which provides varying game play. Like Dead or Alive, the game play is very fast moving, and by default the round count is only thirty seconds. But bear in mind this is usually more than enough time to either knock your opponent flat, or to get yourself kay-oad.

From the way they throw a punch, to the way they get smashed into a wall, the movements of the characters are very realistic. They help create an atmosphere of realism, or authenticity.

These wrinkles took years of grimacing... Grrr

One particular character, Aoi, specialises in reversals. In a typical bout, her opponent will throw a punch, but Aoi will catch it, twist it, bend it, break it, and all around dislocate it from all places of its original form.

This really will send shivers up and down your spine the first time you see it. There's also this other really cool one where she makes the opponents knee bend the wrong way... Ouch.

Lei Fei is another favourite. He's the kung-fu guy. He has an awesome arsenal of both quick and powerful moves, and when wielded precisely, one would have no problem in downing their opponent in a matter of seconds.

This guy also has about four alternate stances, which can provide a new-comer with short periods of joy and some very cool new moves.

But with an elite standard gamer, it pretty much allows you to counter any other move in the game. So, if two talented Lei Fei's were to meet, you may want to think about extending the round count. Suffice to say, they would be there for quite some time...

SMACK!! POW!! WOMPF!! In all seriousness, what other sound effects did you expect to hear? It is a fighting game, after all. Believe it or not, there are some other sounds in VF4, however.

The music varies between each fighting stage, with some groovy techno-inspired stuff. With practice, you can even time your combos to the beat of the music. Ah, some of us are just so talented (cough, cough - Ed).

Pull my finger

And the whole "smack, pow and wompf" thing does vary. When you hit or kick an opponent, the game does generate such a sound, but different ones for different kinds of moves.

There are some really full-on sound effects though. I think Sega may have got a little carried away when such sounds started to resemble a shotgun firing, or perhaps even a car crashing into a solid brick wall at about 250km/h.

I mean, sure, these martial arts gurus are tough and all, but they're only human.

With the realistic movements of the characters come the realistic graphics supporting this fine feature - the graphics in VF4 really tie in with the gameplay.

But the effort put into the characters isn't the only good point.

In the outdoor levels, there is usually a wind blowing and, in effect, the characters outfits will always flap about and move with it. Even when you turn around, the costumes always follow the direction of the wind - a nice touch.

But the one thing I was most impressed with was the ground of two of the levels. One of which was snow, and the other sandm with both sharing the same effect.

When the characters move across the surface, it leaves a trail and when a player is knocked over, it leaves behind a rough outline of them.

Finally, when the fighters kick or do a low-to-the-ground move, the snow or sand kicks up in the air, then rests on the ground again. Very impressive.Along with all these little novelties, the characters do have some really cool designs, each with two fighting costumes. The scenery in each level is very alternate, and in general, very pleasing.

Well placed "SMACKs" and "POWs" make an authentic setting for bit of fisticuffs, but I think the realism of the fighting techniques and the character movement takes the cake as the greatest aspect of the game.

Virtua Fighter 4 is no doubt one the most advanced fighting games on the shelves today and I would happily recommend it to all.

Game: Virtua Fighter 4
System: Playstation 2
Players: 1-2
Memory Card: Yes
Developer: AM2 (Sega)
Distributor: Sony

Rating: 90%

(Ratings Key/Explantion)

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