It is no stretch to say that the initial release of “Street Fighter V” was a disaster. Fans of the “Street Fighter” franchise were flabbergasted by the paltry single-player offerings, netcode issues with the online multiplayer especially in the early days of the game’s lifecycle and an astounding wealth of content locked behind downloadable content paywalls. The only things that kept the game going were the high production values and sound fighting game mechanics--two things that, while appreciated and indicative of effort on developer Capcom’s part, are ultimately not enough to justify the price tag of “Street Fighter V.”
So with all of these problems in mind, I can only imagine people were wary of the release of “Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition,” an update to the base “Street Fighter V” release that is free for current owners and only $40 for those who skipped out on buying the game at launch. Does “Arcade Edition” fall short of the “Street Fighter” name, or does it prove that “Street Fighter V” has enough fight for a few more rounds? Let’s talk about it.
Old-School is new again
“Arcade Edition” isn’t just a pretty title; to the joy of countless “Street Fighter” and fighting game fans, this iteration of “Street Fighter V” finally includes an arcade mode ladder where you fight a series of CPU opponents and try to get a high score. Those scores are then shared globally, allowing players to compete with one another just like in the days of quarter-munching arcades.
What makes this arcade mode fresh is the fact that there are actually SIX--yes, SIX--different arcade ladders to choose from, each one themed after a different “Street Fighter” game, from the original and oft-forgotten “Street Fighter” to an all-new ladder made just for “Street Fighter V.” Players will get to enjoy remixes of classic songs from games past, nostalgic character costumes and even uncover hidden bosses like the infamous Shin Akuma.
Fan-favorite characters are also coming back in the form of downloadable content that can also be purchased using in-game money instead of real money. At the time of this writing, Sakura from “Street Fighter Alpha 2” and other various titles are available to purchase and play, and she’s boatloads of fun at that (more on mechanics later). For any “Street Fighter II” fans, the green-skinned wild man Blanka and the gigantic eyepatch-wearing Sagat are set to return in the coming months as playable characters as well.
The bottom line? Capcom understands its fanbase reveres the good old days of the “Street Fighter” franchise and seeks to revive that nostalgia while also giving it an incredible facelift from the gameplay and cosmetic standpoint. This is honestly one of the best possible ways they could have handled “Arcade Edition,” and they took it. But it doesn’t end there.
Tune-ups, tweaks, and getting triggered
“Arcade Edition” features an extensive list of fixes, nerfs and buffs to the game’s cast, which is sure to tickle the fancy of those looking to break into the competitive scene. These extensive changes ultimately switch things up from the usual and are sure to affect strategies and character selections in the future when it comes to multiplayer. And speaking of multiplayer, the netcode is actually very good in “Arcade Edition;" the nightmares of lag and disconnect largely seem to be a thing of the past.
Even more interesting is the revamp of the V-Trigger system introduced in the initial release of “Street Fighter V.” In concept, the V-Triggers were quite interesting: buffs that could be used by players to beef up their moves and turn the tide of battle. Unfortunately, it quickly became clear that some V-Triggers were better than others and that on the whole, the system was not essential to comebacks. With the release of “Arcade Edition,” all characters receive a second V-Trigger ability that unlocks even more options for each character, from things like a parry technique for Ryu to a combo-friendly energy blast for Chun-Li. So far, it is looking like these useful new abilities will have a big say in how matches will go and end.
Not exactly a perfect K.O
Not every game is perfect; when it comes to “Street Fighter V,” I think Capcom needs to do a little more to wash the bad taste of the base game out of everyone’s mouths. The biggest problem of all to me is the level of accessibility.
Now, I’ve never been that good at fighting games, so I don’t understand all the ins and outs of things like frame advantage and combos. All the more reason, I think, that “Arcade Edition” should have a little more features that benefit the newbies. Sure, there’s a nifty new Training Mode with options like color-coded frame advantage and Trials that teach you basic combos for each fighter, but I still feel like this game can be a little overwhelming for those who either aren’t that good or just haven’t played fighting games much at all.
I understand that practicing and experimenting is the best medicine when it comes to fighting games, but with the level of complexity at hand in the game thanks to the aforementioned additions and changes, it’s not unfair to say that the learning curve is very steep. Maybe with more time spent with the game people will be singing a different tune, but I don’t know if I can recommend “Arcade Edition” to just anybody, even if I love all the new things that have been added.
Keep Calm and Fight On
“Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition” feels like the game we should have received years ago--and then some. It satisfies fan demand and gives us a more complete, fulfilling package fitting of a modern-day fighting game. Its new features and mechanics are sure to stimulate conversation and activity within the hardcore fighting game community, and also give the casuals plenty of homework to keep them busy. While it may not be the perfect jumping-on point for the latter, it does at least attempt to make things a little less intimidating for amateurs or people looking to get into the world of fighting games.
If you’ve ever had an interest in “Street Fighter” or fighting games, I’d suggest at least trying it out somehow. If you’re a fighting game diehard who either skipped or quit out on the initial release of “Street Fighter V,” I highly recommend picking it up; it’s not going to cost a whole lot and it has more than enough offerings to make you keep playing.