Virtua Fighter 5 Online Review for Xbox 360 (X360)

System: X360, PS3	Review Rating Legend
Dev: AM2	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: SEGA	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 30, 2007	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

The sound is the weakest portion of the game; there is just not much to it. Level specific background music plays, and each character has their own grunts or screams. Aside from that, there is the myriad of effects that come from attacks. A better soundtrack would not have been unwarranted, though you hardly need any kind of fireworks for the fighting. This is not a later version of Street Fighter with incredible super moves, punches, kicks, and there is no need for the game to elicit giant explosions. Still, a little more would have been nice. To its credit, the music coordinates with the style of level well. When it comes to the voice work, it ranges from bad to awful. It sounds like something right out of a recent Steven Segal movie.

Virtua Fighter 5 Online screenshot

The controls also could benefit from a little tweaking. Due to the fine tuned combat mechanics, players can ill afford a misstep. The 360 controller is just not the optimal piece of hardware for the job. Those not shy about shelling out the bucks will probably prefer to pick up the arcade fighting stick. It is a welcome addition for those who take this game seriously. For others just looking to have fun with their friends, I wouldn't spend the extra money. For as frustrating as the controls are, they are not bad enough to throw down sixty bucks. They work well enough that it really will not matter most of the time. Probably the best use of the 360 pad comes in the triggers, which serve as a combination of block and punch or punch and kick therefore making some difficult moves easier to execute.

Better late than never for 360, and in this case way better because VF5 came bearing the all important gift of online play. It can not be debated that this is a hardcore gamers' fighting game, but even those looking to just pick up and play will find more than enough to enjoy in this title.

By Tom Kelly
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

Online Multi-Player enables players to compete worldwide with an online two-player versus mode via Xbox LIVE. (Xbox 360 only)

Leaderboards enable players to see how they stack up against other players. (Xbox 360 only)

Character Data Portability makes it possible to save characters created in Quest Mode via Memory Unit and play with those characters against other people's customized characters in VS Mode on other Xbox 360 systems. (Xbox 360 only)

Two New Characters, El Blaze and Eileen, round out the cast of 17 dynamic characters. El Blaze is a Mexican wrestling champion that uses the Lucha Libre fighting style, and Eileen, originally from China, uses a "Kou Ken" (Monkey style Kung Fu fighting style).

Stunning, Highly-Detailed 3-D Fighting Environments inspired by locales around the world where players can challenge their opponents in unique types of arenas.

Offensive Move lets players to easily move around their opponent from the side and back allowing players to be more strategic with their battles.

Customize your character with the enhanced attachment system and customization engine giving players more flexibility than ever before when creating their characters.

Next Gen Presentation includes 1080p HD resolution, widescreen, and 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround.

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.6

Graphics
Character details and animations are amazing.

4.0

Control
Solid enough to get by, but you will miss that arcade stick.

3.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Not much here, maybe a more variety in the dialogue to liven things up.

4.7

Play Value
There is so much to learn and experience, plus boredom won't be a problem with Xbox Live in the mix.

4.5

Overall Rating - Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.