Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it? NO, SENSEI!
The two new characters, which you won't have seen in previous Virtua Fighter games, add even more variety to the gameplay. Eileen's fighting style is Monkey Kung Fu (her movements mimic that of an ape) with plenty of grabbing, jumping and lunging. On the other hand, the masked beefcake El Blaze's style mimics that of a professional wrestler with big grappling and striking techniques, such as an elbow smash or a knee to the face. Due to the diverse range of fighting techniques available across the 18 characters each fight rarely plays out the same way or feels repetitive.A word of warning though; on the easy and normal difficulty settings I was able to plough through the majority of quest mode by merely button bashing (pressing random combinations of buttons). The real tactical challenge and enjoyment of Virtua Fighter 5 (aside from online play or with a mate) is when you ramp it up to hard or very hard difficulty. At this level you need to really need to work hard to win, learn how to counteract moves correctly and most importantly, have impeccable timing and co-ordination.
Click for larger image
Click for larger imageOn the surface, VF5 may seem easy to pick up and play. There are only three buttons you need to use: one for your guard, one for kick, and one for punch, but when you combine these with the eight different directions of the thumbstick there seems to be an endless amount of moves at your fingertips. Sega has ensured that you can bring up a command list at any point in the game and you can learn and practice thousands of moves and techniques in the dojo where you get an on screen prompt of the directions and buttons you need to push. Training isn't as deep as it could be and it doesn't tell you how fast you need to press button combinations or really prepare you for what lies ahead, but it's a useful aid for the novice.
The main game mode in Virtua Fighter 5 is the quest, in which you battle your way through the roster of fighters increasing your worldwide ranking along the way and earning money and prizes. With the cash you earn you can customise your character with an array of camp costumes and accessories, such as caps, gowns, earrings or even umbrellas. They don't change your abilities in the game, but they do make you look pretty and you can bring them online to show your friends. The customisation does add a bit more replay value to the single player campaign as you vie to unlock all the items and it's always nice to look like part when you go into battle.
And, look nice you will, because Virtua Fighter 5 is graphically stunning and far better than even these sexy screenshots portray. From the rippling biceps of the fighters to the highly detailed and shimmering backdrops of the fighting arenas, the series is looking the best it's ever looked. The vivid colours of the characters and their sharp designs practically jump out of the screen at you and the look of the mountains, waterfalls and the detailed environments add to the intensity of the fight. The animation of the fighters is immaculate as they string together impressive flurries of moves and shift around the environments with character and style.