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Review : Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution for PS2
I just wanted to write up a quick review of a game that I have been waiting for Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution for PS2. This game is a updated version of the Japanese arcade and PS2 masterpiece of 3d fighting. Yu Suziki of Sega' AM2 is indeed the man of 3d arcade games. I would like to think of it as "Virtua Fighter 4.5". Sega did a brilliant move of releasing this new for only twenty bucks so It is like shipping an expansion pack with the original game included.
So what is different about this game?
They added two new fighters to the game. There is Goh Ninogami the blue toned evil-looking hop-hop dressing goth Judo fighter. He has some really cool throws and looks a bit like an evil Akira.
Brad Burns is a sexy kick ass Gen-X Muay Thai Kickboxer. He has a lot of powerful kicking combos and could probably kick Jean Claude's ass if he wanted to. Plus the man has cool sideburns.
The music has been completely redone and puts you in the mood for an ass kicking. The good backgrounds have been revised and spruced up and there is a whole new set of backgrounds.
The rather mystic AI programming mode and Kumite mode of VF 4 have been replaced with the Quest mode. In making Quest mode Sega took the game play data from hundred of VF4 players and created a whole library of enemy AI to add some variety and spice to the same fighters. You have to qualify and enter the tournaments then win to get money. Then you can buy and win costume accessories to customize the look of your fighter. There are hundred of prizes to unlock and win in this mode. It is fun.
Then there is the 10th Anniversary Virtua Fighter mode. This is a retro trip version of the original Virtual fighter game using the new fighters and control. But the graphics are pure 1993 untextured map blocky goodness. The normal VF4 Evolution graphics are pure weapons grade eye candy. It is a very good thing.
If your name is BBQ that you best avoid this game. He better stick to Super Star Dance Club
If you are really into 3d fighting games than this is a must buy for only 20 bucks. I would say that this is only around 25% new content in the game but it is a truly perfect fighting game to expand on. I am sure that this game will be filed right next to VF4 as fighting games that I love.
Jake at August 15, 2003 
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Comments
Did we finally get the game in, or did you have to go to someone else? I am glad to hear that for $20 it is worth it. I have never cared for the VF series, personally. A Tekken fan to the end. But I can't deny the success VF has had in the 3d gaming world.
Posted by: Mici at August 15, 2003 7:00 AM
wow, it does look fantastic. can't wait. so many nice fighters going around, such little time.
Posted by: loneblogger at August 15, 2003 8:12 AM
I didn't play VF4 enough to make even $20 worth it, but I'm glad to hear about the Quest mode. Kumite was a little odd.
By the way, I saw on Amazon that the new Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is getting read to ship next month. The last I heard, this game was just kind of a rumor. So I'm stoked to hear I will actually be playing it next month. I guess it's time to finally buy that GBA.
Posted by: Jeff at August 15, 2003 8:33 AM
Issue 1: VF4 Evo will actually give Soul Calibur II a run for it's money in my allocation of 3D fighting time. A couple of months ago, I thought SCII would run unopposed, but VF4 came out of nowhere -- and for 20 bucks! Sega has once again proven how cool they are.
Issue 2: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance will rock you. I still play the orignal for the PS1.
Posted by: Trapp at August 15, 2003 8:44 AM
Damn it it is worth 20 bucks and I would probably pay 50 for it. But 20 is very very nice. It did not come out of nowhere but it was on my radar for a while. But I have been waiting for Soul Calibur 2 since the first one shipped on Dreamcast on 9/9/1999.
Or Jeff if you have a Gamecube you might want to get a Gameboy Player for Gamecube.
Posted by: Jake at August 15, 2003 9:24 AM
No Gamecube here, just a PS2. I've been debating whether to buy a GBA. I've played some of the games on an emulator and there hasn't been that one game that persuades me to buy it. Tactics Advance will definitely be that game. I loved the original.
Posted by: Jeff at August 15, 2003 10:52 AM
Well then you can't go wrong with a GBA SP. There is also a number of old skool RPGs for it.
Breath of Fire 1 and 2
Golden Sun 1 and 2
Lunar Legend
Phantasy Star Collection
Dragon Ball Z
And soon Legand of Zelda : The Four Swords and Secret of Mana
Posted by: Jake at August 15, 2003 11:01 AM
I will forget these games within 5 minutes of closing my browser, so when I decide to buy the GBA I'll email you and ask which RPGs you recommend. I really want to play Advance Wars 2, also.
Posted by: Jeff at August 15, 2003 11:44 AM
Jeff you know you can save webpages... or cut and paste.. The more you know and knowing is half the battle! YO JOE!
Posted by: Jake at August 15, 2003 12:26 PM
Wow, I wish I had that game, because I am out of toilet paper and I need something to wipe my ass with.
Posted by: BBQ at August 15, 2003 12:37 PM
Jake ~ Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords is already out. Are you thinking of something else???
But I have to agree that I don't regret buying my GBA at all. It took me two years after launch to pick one up, but I play it almost non-stop! And Tactics Advance is going to be no exception to the seemingly general rule that the GBA RPG's are as good as most of the SNES and PSOne RPG's.
Posted by: Mici at August 15, 2003 12:50 PM
You see BBQ there are these 3d guys and they have to beat up the other 3d guys using quick button mashing combos.
Posted by: Jake at August 15, 2003 12:50 PM
I was thinking about the two Gamecube and GBA link games that they showed at e3
Legend of Zelda : Four Swords for GC/GBA link
http://www.nintendo.com/e32k3/games/nintendo_lgnzelda4swd_bh8/tlozfourswords2n5_feat.jsp
and
Legend of Zelda : Tetra's Trackers for GC/GBA link
http://www.nintendo.com/e32k3/games/nintendo_tetra_bf3/tetrabf3_feat.jsp
Posted by: Jake at August 15, 2003 1:04 PM
Yes, but can it handle NURBS?
Posted by: Evilninja at August 15, 2003 8:18 PM
I am Ryo Suzuki. I am looking for sailors.. Charley has a tattoo and a leather jacket... do you know any Chinese people. I like to buy toys from the vending machine.
Posted by: Jake at August 15, 2003 8:23 PM
Hello, I am on a quest to avenge my father who was killed by murder, and not by choking on toys from a vending machine. Also I can drive a forklift. Do you know how to get to Wan Chai?
Shopkeeper: Wan Chai?
Yes, Wan Chai.
Shopkeeper: Wan Chai is near King's Crossing.
I see. Where is King's Crossing?
Shopkeeper: King's Crossing?
Yes, King's Crossing.
Shopkeeper: King's Crossing is near the fountain in the park.
I see. Where is the fountain in the park?
Shopkeeper: The fountain in the park is near the crazy Rastafarian man.
I see. Where is the crazy Rastafarian man?
Shopkeeper: The crazy Rastafarian man is near Wan Chai.
(repeat until you quietly put the game back in its case and forget you even own it)
Posted by: Evilninja at August 15, 2003 11:22 PM
Oh come on now Mike. I love Shenmue.. I am one of the only person in the world who does.
Posted by: Jake at August 16, 2003 1:07 AM
I love Shenmue too, but not Shenmue 2. I don't know exactly why, but it just didn't catch my interest the way the first one did. Maybe it had something to do with the number of times the words "Wan Chai" got repeated.
Posted by: Evilninja at August 16, 2003 4:14 PM
I actually own the Dreamcask UK version of Shenmue 2 So I had it over a year and a half before the dope ass Xbox US version in english. The game seems alot better in japanese even if it takes place in Hong Kong.
Posted by: Jake at August 16, 2003 4:16 PM
