...it is the only next gen 3D fighting game that you need in your shelf right now
Virtua Fighter 5 is at least the best 3D fighting game ever so far.
Graphically its as good as it can get. the facial expressions are realistic, the character's movements are fluid, little details like people cheering on the background of some stages, the cherry blossom trees, the sunset, the snow, the waterfalls...this game will stun you visually, but you can judge that for yourself with the gameplay videos and screenshots provided through gamespot.
Gameplay wise, it retains the 3 button layout that is still untouched from the first installment until now. Guard, Punch and Kick. though this may look overly simplistic and bland you may be fooled, cause what sets VF5 apart from all other franchises is how deep the combat system is. Combinations of the three buttons let you grab, throw, change stances, and the combo system is one of the most complex i've ever experienced. One of the things that got me caught in the game is the simple fact that the more you play the more you can notice your own skill growing. another thing that sets this game apart from the competition is the roster of characters, one of the most diverse and balanced out there inspite of what you may have read in most user reviews. A fast and accessible character like Jacky can be a lame punch-punch-punch-kick machine for novice players, a 4 hit combo->dodge character, and if you're experienced it can be unbeatable due to the fast paced type of gameplay that character can offer. You got a muai-thai like character, a shaolin monk, the slow but powerful wrestler Wolf and its rival Jeffry, a advanced throw judo killing machine...you name it. Also this installment adds two new characters to a total of 19. El Blaze and Eileen, a fast light wrestler and a monkey kung fu girl respectivelly. You'll probably try your luck with a bunch of characters and then you'll find the perfect one for you, and spend a lot of time practicing your skills with it.
The xbox360 version stands out with a great online mode, you'll also find the single player arcade mode, an excelent tutorial and practice modes, and the quest mode where you'll fight through arcade clubs spread through japan sparring against AI characters based on real players's statistics. Here is another of the game's qualities, the AI is refined and you'll encounter novice players on the first arcades and when you move to arcade where experienced players meet you'll find challenging AIs that never get predictable and can detect patterns in your playing style to keep you from winning with "random button smashing" and last resort lame techniques. In quest mode you'll also earn money and costumes to customize your character. the possibilities are almost limitless: haircuts, hair colors, necklaces, earrings, pants, boots, t-shirts, contact lenses...you name it!
To sum up, it is the only next gen 3D fighting game that you need in your shelf right now, and it is one of the greatest games of this generation.