Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6625 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sega
• Released on: 2003-06-20
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Dimensions: .33 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
Sega's best-selling fighting game gets an upgrade in Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. The graphics have been fully optimised to make better use of the PlayStation 2 hardware--though as any Darwinist will tell you, evolution is not about looks--it's about the survival of the fittest. Stakes are raised as players throw-down against aggressive highly-tuned AI opponents modelled after the top players from the arcades of Japan, new exceptionally detailed arenas, and two new characters hungry for their place at the top. Of course, in addition to the new modes, moves, and fighters, players can still customise their own character with more than 1,500 new costume items--more than double the amount from the original release.

Customer Reviews

More balanced and rewarding than Tekken
Prior to buying this, I had played all editions of Tekken and increasingly was frustrated with the fact that, even though it was easy to learn, it was quite low on rewarding experience and skill, so much so that many of my frineds quit because they could not be a guy who would just push all the buttons at once. What I like most about Virtua Fighter is that not only are there quite a lot of moves and possibilities for combos (as in Tekken) but the different stances that do make a lot of difference (as in Lei for example) and the fact that there are counter moves for all attacks - evading striking hits and throws. There are so many options to escape from attacks that an experienced player can possibly beat a beginner without even using any blocks but rather evading (which looks so much cooler plus you won't have to hold down the block button depressed which allows for faster reaction). This game is highly recommended to all fans of fighting games, there are many fighters, many moves, and a comprehensive training option that teaches you all the basic moves, some helpful first tricks as well as advanced combos.

THE Finest Home 3D Beat 'Em Up so far...until VF5.
VF4 Evolution - or simply Evo as it's fans call it - represents the current 'zenith' of beat 'em ups. In the UK, it was cruelly overlooked, with the vast majority of gamers opting for the creditable Tekken series or (shudder) Mortal Kombat. If you're looking for 'purity' in your fighting games, then look no further than Evo. The Virtua Fighter series - since its inception in 1993 - has always taken an increasingly technical approach to gameplay (perhaps explaining why the button mashing friendly Tekken series achieved greater commercial success). But for those willing to complete the tutorials and refine their technique, Evo is just wonderful. Fighter customisation is fun, but the real selling point in single player mode is the 'Virtual Arcade', where the AI of the CPU controlled fighters is based around some of the finest VF'ers in Japan - including Chibita (the famous Lion player). As with all Beat 'Em Ups, 2 player is where the game takes off. Watching a couple of high level players go at it is nothing short of spectacular. Not one for the mashers amongst us - but if you're even half serious about your games - or just a SEGA Fan Boy like me - you'll be adding this to your basket now. Without a doubt - Evo is THE greatest console fighter to date. I can't see this being bettered until SEGA convert VF5. Buy Buy Buy - without the slightest hesitation...then kiss your social life goodbye :-)

The most complete fighter ever
I've played a lot of fighters over the years, and what has always frustrated me is how simple button mashers can often claim victory over experienced players. Not so in this game.

In VF4E you will not find complicated manouvres creating flashy fireball effects. The 15 characters each have a different fighting style, and the moves (for some characters over 100 different ones) look like normal martial arts fighting moves. Button mashing on most of these characters might win you a few initial victories, but in order to advance against more skilled opponents you have to learn how to block, evade, and counter attack. Luckily this game has an extensive training mode where all the facets of the game are explained. You can also view many recorded battles of real experienced VF4E players from the DVD.

Aside from the normal Arcade mode (fight your way to the top), and the VS playing mode, this game also packs an incredibly extensive Quest mode in which you start as a 10th kyu beginner, and you have to fight your way through the arcades to gain ranks and entry to the tournaments. In here you can also unlock a large amount of items, clothes, hairstyles, etc. for your character. All statistics are saved on the memory card.

To become an expert in all characters looks almost an impossible task. You will be hard pressed to find common moves between characters, and the fighting styles make fighting with different characters a completely new experience.

The one thing that's baffled me is the price differences though. In the US, this game become available at a bargain price of $20, and I was lucky to pick one up at a sale for 12 Euro 50, but in most places in Europe this game is still between 30 and 45 Euro. This game should keep you busy for a long time though, especially if you wish to become good at it.