Virtua Fighter 4
Virtua Fighter 4 is coming to the PS2! Almost a year later PSX2.com revisits this promising 3D fighter. Read all the details in our latest preview and get geared up for an exciting ride.
Published: January 10, 2002
Sega has plans for yet another addition to its great series of Virtua Fighter games. Virtua Fighter 4 seems to be the most comprehensive expansion from one incarnation to the next thus far. With five different modes of play along with incredible in-game graphics, well… what else is there to say?
Kumite is the first mode of play. It basically ranks your ability to play the game, such as a grade of "A" through "F." It monitors how much damage you take, your finished time and so on. You can also earn item bonuses that are used to personalize your character. For example, say you are required to beat the first competitor in one minute and twenty seconds and you accomplish this task, you will get rewarded with customizable clothing or for the ladies, a different hair style. It is unclear if the customized character in Kumite mode can be played in the arcade mode. The items and opponents are given the names of unknown game developers and unbeatable Japanese Virtua Fighter players. Along with the training mode this mode is really designed to beef up you combat skills. The Kumite mode was also established to keep the game interesting and keep a longer lasting appeal.
The A.I. System mode acts as a learning tool more than anything else. It makes it possible to watch two computer players spar, as to be a learning experience. You can also play against a CPU opponent while the game's A.I. will recognize your weaknesses and give you suggestions to improve your skill.
Training mode is made up of a few categories. The first being the basic free training mode, which puts you against a computer with you setting what its actions are. Think of it like this: Have you ever played versus mode by yourself with two controllers? One person wouldn't be moving and you would be beating the hell out of him trying out those awesome hard to pull off combos without any resistance. Let me know if I'm crazy because I have many times (ed. note: you can e-mail Chris by clicking here). Well Free Training is like that except with only one controller and you set the opponent's options. Would you like your enemy aggressive or a wimp, you have the power! The next is Command Training. Command Training will give you a preset list of many commonly used actions that you will need to follow in order to progress. It teaches you all the basic moves of every character one at a time. The last sub mode is called simply, Trial mode and is similar to the Command Training mode except in order to progress you have to accomplish a set of combos instead of just one move.
Probably the most lasting appeal to any fighting game is the 2-player versus mode. As most know this mode makes it possible to have two humans fight each other. You have the options of setting the time limit, Handicap, and the number of rounds played.
The Arcade mode is comprised of a basic 14-stage single player game that, as the title refers to, the game you'd play in the arcade. But, as you can see this is not the only thing you are paying for. And what would a Virtua Fighter be without a survival mode? That is when you have a single life bar and try to defeat as many enemies as you can before your health runs out.
As another added bonus, Sega-AM2 has included a Replay feature, which is just there basically to show your friend how bad you kicked his ass. The commands include fast-forward, rewind, pause, slow motion, and several camera angles. If you select the Data Files icon, you can save your stats and your character appearance from the stated modes listed above.
If you are a fan of the first three titles you'll be happy to know that all the characters have remained in the mix and along with a new female, Vanessa Lewis and a male, Lei Fei has joined the fight for a total of 13 fighters. As a side note, it has not been released if Dural will return as the bonus-end fighter or not, but being a Virtua Fighter fan myself, I'd assume so.
If you'd like a good look on how this game is shaping up, just take a look at the screens. VF4 is set to be released in March of 2002, so be sure to check back with us for the complete review.
Kumite is the first mode of play. It basically ranks your ability to play the game, such as a grade of "A" through "F." It monitors how much damage you take, your finished time and so on. You can also earn item bonuses that are used to personalize your character. For example, say you are required to beat the first competitor in one minute and twenty seconds and you accomplish this task, you will get rewarded with customizable clothing or for the ladies, a different hair style. It is unclear if the customized character in Kumite mode can be played in the arcade mode. The items and opponents are given the names of unknown game developers and unbeatable Japanese Virtua Fighter players. Along with the training mode this mode is really designed to beef up you combat skills. The Kumite mode was also established to keep the game interesting and keep a longer lasting appeal.
The A.I. System mode acts as a learning tool more than anything else. It makes it possible to watch two computer players spar, as to be a learning experience. You can also play against a CPU opponent while the game's A.I. will recognize your weaknesses and give you suggestions to improve your skill.
Training mode is made up of a few categories. The first being the basic free training mode, which puts you against a computer with you setting what its actions are. Think of it like this: Have you ever played versus mode by yourself with two controllers? One person wouldn't be moving and you would be beating the hell out of him trying out those awesome hard to pull off combos without any resistance. Let me know if I'm crazy because I have many times (ed. note: you can e-mail Chris by clicking here). Well Free Training is like that except with only one controller and you set the opponent's options. Would you like your enemy aggressive or a wimp, you have the power! The next is Command Training. Command Training will give you a preset list of many commonly used actions that you will need to follow in order to progress. It teaches you all the basic moves of every character one at a time. The last sub mode is called simply, Trial mode and is similar to the Command Training mode except in order to progress you have to accomplish a set of combos instead of just one move.
Probably the most lasting appeal to any fighting game is the 2-player versus mode. As most know this mode makes it possible to have two humans fight each other. You have the options of setting the time limit, Handicap, and the number of rounds played.
The Arcade mode is comprised of a basic 14-stage single player game that, as the title refers to, the game you'd play in the arcade. But, as you can see this is not the only thing you are paying for. And what would a Virtua Fighter be without a survival mode? That is when you have a single life bar and try to defeat as many enemies as you can before your health runs out.
As another added bonus, Sega-AM2 has included a Replay feature, which is just there basically to show your friend how bad you kicked his ass. The commands include fast-forward, rewind, pause, slow motion, and several camera angles. If you select the Data Files icon, you can save your stats and your character appearance from the stated modes listed above.
If you are a fan of the first three titles you'll be happy to know that all the characters have remained in the mix and along with a new female, Vanessa Lewis and a male, Lei Fei has joined the fight for a total of 13 fighters. As a side note, it has not been released if Dural will return as the bonus-end fighter or not, but being a Virtua Fighter fan myself, I'd assume so.
If you'd like a good look on how this game is shaping up, just take a look at the screens. VF4 is set to be released in March of 2002, so be sure to check back with us for the complete review.
