Street Fighter EX3 is an improvement, but the EX series needs work before it continues on --- if it does at all.
The game, even though it's in 3D, plays like a 2d game. There's no circular 3D movement. It plays just like every other street fighter game -- just with 3D graphics. The game starts off with 16 characters: The instantly selectable characters feature: Zengief, Doctrine Dark, Skullomania, Vega, Ryu, Sakura, Hokuto, Nanase, Jack, Ace, Guile, Chun Li, Ken, Blanka, Dhalsim, and Sharon. As you play you get access to more characters, with a good portion being returning characters as well as new.
You also get access to a good amount of game modes. Original (arcade) mode let's you go through a good, but sweet set of 6 battles. Each battle is different, the first being a 1 on three battle, while others are two on two tag, or two on one, or 4 tag battle on 1. The change in pace from past one on one battles is fun, but with only 6 battles it ends up being short.
Arena mode puts you in a position where you play with an/or the computer. You can win medals in this mode and work towards a hidden bonus. There are 4 styles Tag battle, Dramatic battle (two against one or three against one), Team battle (evenly matched team with no tagging in and out) and Multiplay mode where you can have up to 4 people play, which is very fun.
Edit mode, allows you to play as Ace, where you go through and complete goals to earn points to gain access to new moves and such. he starts off with no special moves at all, but as you go through the mode you'll gain access to more moves. You get two save slots so you can have two special "Aces."
Training mode is also here, to test out you characters, and get some practice in.
In this game, new additions to the fighting system have been added. There is the Momentary Combo, which enables fighting combinations to be started, switched to another fighting combo, and/or restarted, or canceled. There's the Hard Attack (replacing the Guard Break), the ability to trade attack power for life, and (of course) special Tag Team or Double combos, in which teamed characters attack together on screen. And, last but not least, there is a Stun move, which temporarily stuns your opponent, and can lead into a great opening for a big attack. All of these are very welcomed additions that add depth to the fighting system. The Tag system is fun in this game, but is very basic -- there are other games such as Tekken Tag Tournament and Capcom's own Marvel Vs. Capcom series, where you have more control over tag team moves, characters, and matches. There's not to the tag system other then have another person with you, it's functional, but basically that's it right there. All these added with the Special moves, Special Combos, and Meteor Combos add up to an deep fighting system of moves for each character.
Two key issues have been addressed from the first two EX PSone/Arcade games. First, the frame rates have been sped up to give the game a better, smoother game play. Previous Ex games were slower then their 2D counterparts, and the street Fighter series was always about speed and fast reaction times. Second, players can call up a command list in the pause menu that displays all of your character moves -- something that every fighting game should have. A few other minor issues have been addressed in character selecting, with the ability to select computer controlled or human controlled, opponents and teammates, as well as random character select characters you select and opponents in Arena mode.
Graphics and sounds in Street Fighter EX3 are about average for the PS2 System. The graphics are improved from the previous entries, but animation is not entirely smooth. Plus, the game barley scratches the power of the PS2 system. Tekken Tag Tournament, which was released at the same time had much better graphics. The particle effects engine is nicely used here though, and the nice 'classicness' of the menu system and character shots will please longtime fans. Music in Street Fighter EX3 is generic -- nothing is memorable, nothing about it at all. Characters talk at the beginning and end of matches -- but it's only one line in Japanese; nothing new or even that memorable. Might as well play this game with the sound off, you won't be missing much.
One good thing to add though, this game loads fast. In this game, there is almost no load times at all. Within ten seconds of boot up, you'll be playing.
Don't get me wrong, Street Fighter EX3 is fun it has a deep battle system, even though the tag system could use some work. You get a wide selection of characters, who each have their own unique set of moves. I must say Chun Li handles great in this game, which will please fan boys of her. it's just the simple tag system, average graphics, “meh” sound, and overall rushed quality that drags this game down. It's an improvement, but the EX series needs work before it continues on --- if it does at all.