Best fighting game out there!
Graphics - 10/10
Lethal how could you give the graphics a perfect score!? I am not rating the graphics as I would other games. The graphics are PERFECT for this style game. Everything is absolutely beautiful and the characters and backrounds shine. Super moves explode on the screen lighting up a dark lit room. This is what Street Fighter is supposed to look like.
Sound - 9.25/10
The game starts off with some cheesy music that sounds like the Backstreet Boys but after that the sound really gets good. The announcer for one does a great job fitting right in to this game. The way he calls super moves or how you finish the fights. Sound effects leap out at you in surround sound and in game music sets the mood for some serious online and offline fighting.
Gameplay - 9/10
This game does not offer a whole lot to the single player but since when was Street Fighter meant for one player? There is an arcade mode which allows you to unlock new characters and other goodies. A time trial mode and challenge modes. If you want to unlock everything in the game then you will need to play these modes.
The controls feel just like they did back in the day. You will be able to pick your favorite character and jump right in to a fight. Now the d-pad can and probably will start to hurt your thumb so I highly suggest an arcade stick. The Street Fighter IV arcade stick from Mad Catz seems to be a good choice by gamers.
Unlike Mortal Kombat games the combos and finishing moves do not require you to practice for 4 hrs until you can pull it off correctly.
Online Multiplayer - 10/10
It's simply perfect. The first thing I did was created a ranked match. Within seconds I had an opponant ready to go. Online was ever so smooth with not a touch of lag. Playing online earns you battle points (BP) which is basically your bragging rights and will be shown on the leaderboards. Be careful though because losing a fight will cost you (BP). You lose to a noob and you lose big points. Lose to a great player with (BP) and you may not lose many pts. You will also be fighting for new titles and icons that you will get to show off as you fight. This really helps the replay value of playing online because you will want the best icon and title out there.
You can also do voice chat while in the lobby. I chatted for a min with a guy who told me this was his first game and I was thrilled to be playing him lol. I quickly destroyed him for an easy 65bp.
I started off playing 12 games in 1 hour. I managed to win 7 of my 12 games and I have not played a Street Fighter game since Street Fighter Alpha 3 lol. This is how comfortable the game feels.
Overall - 9.75/10
As far as fighting games go, there is none better than Street Fighter IV. The trophies are not going to be aquired in just a day or a week. You will need to play lots and lots of games to aquire 500 matches or 100 online wins. Look for me online and do not be afraid to challenge me to a game or 2. Trust me, I am not that good......yet.
This game gets Lethal's Stamp of Approval!