Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution (PS2)

--------Introduction--------

Virtual Fighter 4: Evolution is a Sega PlayStation 2 exclusive beat-em-up game. Evolution is an update to Virtual Fighetr 4. Compared with the original it has 2 additional characters and the Kumite Mode has been replaced by the superior Quest Mode. There is also the fact that there is an exceptional Training Mode as well as enhanced visuals. This PAL version does include a 60 Hz mode.

--------Gameplay--------
...you play either against the computer or a friend in a one on one battle with a particular fighter of your choosing. There are three ways to beat your opponent. The first is to knock him/her out by leaving their energy bar at zero. Alternatively you could knock your opponent out of the ring area, something you may be familiar with if you have played Soul Calibur for instance. The game allows the player to knock his/her opponent against a breakable ... more

--------Introduction--------

Virtual Fighter 4: Evolution is a Sega PlayStation 2 exclusive beat-em-up game. Evolution is an update to Virtual Fighetr 4. Compared with the original it has 2 additional characters and the Kumite Mode has been replaced by the superior Quest Mode. There is also the fact that there is an exceptional Training Mode as well as enhanced visuals. This PAL version does include a 60 Hz mode.

--------Gameplay--------

This is a beat-em up which means you play either against the computer or a friend in a one on one battle with a particular fighter of your choosing. There are three ways to beat your opponent. The first is to knock him/her out by leaving their energy bar at zero. Alternatively you could knock your opponent out of the ring area, something you may be familiar with if you have played Soul Calibur for instance. The game allows the player to knock his/her opponent against a breakable wall, therefore leaving a gap and subsequnetly knocking him/her through the gap to gain a 'ring out'. The third way to win a round is for a the time to reach zero and for you to have more energy than your opponent.

The arena's that you play in are spendid - well designed and look amazing. For example some see birds flying in the sky above, others see the floor slowly breaking up, there is snow in another where players leave there mark upon falling and/or moing through the snow and another see's you fighting through some ankle height water. There are some 15 main arena's, and the inclusion of an unlockable Virtual Fighter (original) arena as well as training arena's.

On a very basic level you press square to Guard, triangle to punch and circle to kick. In order to realistically win matches you are going to need to learn how to throw opponents, evade an opponent's throw, attack an opponent whilst they are on the floor, evade attacks, counter-attack your opponent after evading an attack, reverse moves and use walls for attacks - like using a backflip off the wall. This list gives an indication of what you can do but to succeed at the above is where the game's depth shows.

In order to pull off any moves you are going to need to go through the comprehensive Training modes that the game offers. One has a Command mode in which the screen is displayed with a move which you follow. Free mode allows players to practice the moves that they wish to practice whether it be that 8 move combo or a simple kick and then punch combination. The Trial mode of Training is split into 4 sub-sections. There is a (1) Tutorial mode for beginners to learn the basic fighting techniques of their chosen character - like using throws, dealing with evades and attacking opponents near walls. When you improve there is (2) Tactics Advice mode which involves practicing mid air-combos and attack series. For the advanced player there is a (3) Challenge mode whereby players practice more advanced fighting techniques - like recognising guranteed throw moves and using your guard to defend against attacks. Finally there is (4) Mission Practice mode where you practice missions that appear in Arcade mode - like landing 6 down attacks or winning using less than 4 throws. To complete all the said training modes is going to takes time even with one character but to deal with all 15 characters is almost like the length of a normal game in itself.

From the main menu you can play the standard Arcade mode in which you battle 10 stages and a bonus stage against Dural - who is not an initially available character to pick up and play but who can be unlocked with a lot of game playing. Sometimes you also get a bonus mission in a stage - like having to win 2 times by 'ring out' or by KO - which earns you some money provided that you succeed. Upon completing this you get to see the game credits.

Moreover there is a VS mode at the main menu. This is a usual inclusion in beat-em up games. This is simply a battle against another person.

The primary single player mode in Evolution is the Quest mode. Your objective is to become the best Virtual Fighter player in the world. In this mode you pick your character to do battle against progressively more difficult opponents at arcades. Then you win tournaments and eventually compete in the national tournament - the 'Worldwide Martial Arts Championship II'. As you win matches and tournaments you can purchase items with money you win, and can even customise your character with the said items. For instance change what your character wears, what style hair he/she uses, or if they fight with an unusual instrument on their back like a chainsaw. Also within the Quest mode is the Event Square where you can participate in various style of event. These events vary from a long one round match with players starting with 1000 health (Iron Fight), to using the walls for extra damage (Wall Death Match), to my favourite the Hyper Action Battle in which you can go for crazy combo's like 20-25 hits. This is very fast and furious action and a change from the ususal slower paced, more strategy based regular battles. To further add to the Quest experience is something called Quest Order in which you attempt a task - like performing 5 combos that do 70 damage or more or breaking the wall 40 times. The purpose of these is so as to gain extra cash, items and wallpapers which you unlock throughout the game.

Also there is a Replay mode which simply views replays of people who participated in actual arcade tournaments. This is a nice addition and gives an insight into how you should be playing when you have mastered Evolution.

--------The different characters--------

There are some 15 main unique selectable characters, with various fighting styles.

Akira: his fighting style is Hakkyoku-Ken. He enjoys more than 60 moves.

Pai Chan: her fighting style is Ensei-Ken. Pai has more than 80 moves to master.

Lou Chan: his fighting style is Koen-Ken. Lou has 70 moves which he can deliver.

Wolf Hawfield: his fighting style is Pro Wrestling. Being a wrestler he can perform some really heavy hitting throws, like the Cross Arm Breaker or the Reverse Tiger Driver. Being a larger, more strength based character he is not as fast as lets say a Lion. He has over 80 different available moves.

Jeffry McWild. his fighting style is Pancratium. Jeffry is a really big and powerful competitor. He uses over 75 various moves.

Kage-Maru: his fighting style is Ju-Jutsu. Kage is a fast competitor who has over 85 moves.

Sarah Bryant: her fighting style is Martial Arts with over 80 different moves.

Jacky Bryant: his fighting style is Jeet Kune Do. Jacky has over 80 different moves which players can master.

Shun-Di: his fighting style is Drunken Kung-Fu. He has after 80 moves available but some are only useable is he has had a certain amount of drinks. Definately an unusual character to play as.

Lion Rafale: his fighting style is Tourou-Ken. Another fast paced competitor who has over 80 moves.

Aoi Umenokoji: her fighting style is Aiki Ju-Jutsu, and she uses about 75 different moves.

Lei-Fei: his fighting style is Shaolin-Ken. He has over 80 polished moves and moves quickly. He changes stance in a hurry and so is difficult to throw.

Vanessa Lewis: her fighting style is Vale Tudo. She has over 80 moves to learn, and is a very athletic fighter in the game. Her assortment of kicking moves is very formidable.

Goh Hinogami: his fighting style is Judo. Therefore his throwing moves can be devastating, like the Hizaate-Ooguruma. He has some 60 moves.

Brad Burns: his fighting style is Kick Boxing (Muay Thai). Brad has more than 65 moves at his disposal and being a kick boxer has some strong kicks as well as punches.

--------Critical comments--------
If you are new to the series, then it is very difficult to pick up and play as say a Street Fighter game. It is hard work to learn to block, counter-attack and reverse movs of your opponent. I believe for many it may appeal, however if you mpersevere and master such a difficult game then the satisfaction of winning using th many moves at your disposal is very great indeed.

Due to the difficulty of the game, it can be a struggle to put off some of the big combos available.

---------Overall I would rate this game--------

Graphics: 9.5/10 - superb visuals for a PlayStation 2 game. The arena's are beautiful - with helicopters flying around lighting the characters at night in one stage or the sun shining into the players eyes in another. Also all the character models look very impressive.

Gameplay: 10/10 - button bashing is just not going to cut it I'm afraid. The depth here in the gameplay is just amazing. The control system is very good with fighetrs moving fluently and attacks and counter-attacks being executed.

Sound: 8/10 - nothing to jump and shout about it has to be said. Everything sounds as it should - the fighters when they win to the in game sound.

Longevity: 10/10 - honestly if you want to get a 100% completion on Quest Mode with all 15 characters then it could take many months indeed (years even). There is a huge amount of unlockables - over 1500.

Overall: 9.4/10

This is a highly recommended game for anyone who enjoys beat-em ups and owns a PlayStation 2. It will take a while to really get into it, but after you you it is a rewarding experience. Furthermore there is great value for money in this title considering the amount of unlockables and the Quest Mode. It without doubt competes very well with the likes of Soul Calibur 2 and Tekken 4. 

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