Virtua Fighter 5

Virtua Fighter 5
Cover of Virtua Fighter 5.
Developer(s)	Sega-AM2
Publisher(s)	Sega
Designer(s)	Noriyuki Shimoda (producer) Yoshihiro Tsuzuku (director)
Series	Virtua Fighter
Platform(s)	Arcade, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release	Arcade PlayStation 3 Ver.B Xbox 360 Ver.C
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer
Arcade system	Sega Lindbergh

Virtua Fighter 5 (バーチャファイター5, Bācha Faitā Faibu) is the latest game in Sega's Virtua Fighter series and direct sequel to Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. The original version was released on July 12, 2006 into Japanese arcades. A revised version (called "Version B") was ported on the PlayStation 3 on February 20, 2007 (despite the advertised date of February 23) and was a launch title for the console's European release on March 23, 2007. The Xbox 360 port of arcades' "Version C", was released in February 2007 in North America and October 2007 in Europe.

Gameplay

• Throw speed has been reduced, from 8 frames to 12 frames. In addition, "Instant", or 0-frame throws re-appear from Virtua Fighter 3 in guaranteed throw situations (such as during an evade).
• To encourage a more "moral" style of play, Sega introduce the Clash System: when initiated with the right timing, an attack can be canceled out with a throw, creating a clash and leaving both players at +0 frame advantage (neutral).
• Offensive Move: pressing Punch + Kick + Guard during an evade will initiate an angled forward dash. In addition, pressing Punch or Kick during OM will initiate an attack which can lead to side or back stagger or crumple, leading to a guaranteed combo opportunity.
• The Xbox 360 version introduced online support via Xbox Live, which allowed two players from around the world to battle over the internet. Developers have also suggested that the PS3 version could also be online-enabled in the form of a downloadable patch. This was later discounted by Sega's Jay Boor who told : "at this time SEGA has no plans to release a patch for the PS3 version of Virtua Fighter 5."
• Version C of Virtua Fighter 5 was used for the 360 version which fixed up some gameplay issues, while the PS3 version used version B.
• Different items are available in the Xbox 360 port of the game in Quest mode, as it is based upon Version C.
• On January 16, 2008 the Xbox 360 version received an update, which made improvements and changes to online play and quest mode.

Ranking system

The ranking system in Virtua Fighter 5 is different from Virtua Fighter 4. The following outlines the ranks obtainable:

• 10th Kyu to 1st Kyu
• 1st Dan to 10th Dan

After the Dan ranks, a character's title is dependent on winning percentage.

• If a character's winning percentage is less than 70 percent they will obtain the following ranks:

Master -> Defender -> Enforcer -> Sentinel -> Protector -> Guardian -> Paladin -> Liberator

• If a character's winning percentage is between 70 and 80 percent they will obtain the following ranks:

Master -> Hunter -> Raider -> Barbarian -> Assassin -> Slayer -> Berserker -> Destroyer

• If a character's winning percentage is above 80 percent they will obtain these ranks:

Master -> Warrior -> Veteran -> Gladiator -> Vindicator -> Avenger -> Vanquisher -> Conqueror

This implementation has led to some players' confusion as to what is the highest rank. Upon obtaining "Conqueror" players have not gone through the other two ranking trees, and so, believe that other ranks exist above them. A character's winning percentage can and does change over time. This can lead to crossing from one rank tree to another (i.e. an "Enforcer" can rank up to "Barbarian" and then up or down to "Vindicator" or "Protector"). The only time a rank tree is final is when a character obtains their 28th rank, "Liberator", "Destroyer", or "Conqueror". It is impossible to change ranks once a character obtains their final rank, the experience bar stops moving, even when fighting other 28th rank opponents. It also appears to be impossible to rank down from this level, locking a character into their final title.

Plot

All of the sought after invitations for the Fifth World Fighting Tournament have been sent and now the 17 best fighters in the world begin their final phases of preparation. They must learn from their prior mistakes and perfect every aspect of their mind, body, and soul - for there is no room for mistakes in this competition. Little do they know that J6, the organization funding the tournament, has sinister ulterior motives for the contest and the company's top secret Dural program is already well underway. In the organization's quest for world domination, the scientists at J6 are creating the ultimate fighting machine with human features. Their first model was defeated in the Fourth World Fighting Tournament, which drove them to kidnap Vanessa. She was able to escape with the help of an insider, but not before they captured her combat data and transferred it to the new advanced Dural model named V-Dural.

J6 is determined to find out who the inside traitor is that released Vanessa and more importantly, if V-Dural is indeed ready to defeat the world's best fighters. The Fifth World Fighting Tournament will reveal both - let it begin.

Characters

Returning characters

• Akira Yuki
• Pai Chan
• Lau Chan
• Wolf Hawkfield
• Jeffry McWild
• Kage-Maru
• Sarah Bryant
• Jacky Bryant
• Shun Di
• Lion Rafale
• Aoi Umenokoji
• Lei-Fei
• Vanessa Lewis
• Brad Burns
• Goh Hinogami
• Taka-Arashi (Virtua Fighter 5 R only)
• Dural

New characters

• El Blaze: Birthdate – March 20, 1967
• Eileen: Birthdate – December 16, 1992
• Jean Kujo (Virtua Fighter 5 R only): Birthdate – December 9, 1979

Versions

Xbox 360 version

The Xbox 360 port of Virtua Fighter 5, known as Virtua Fighter 5 Online in North America and Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arena in Japan, benefits from the additions and refinements that have been made to the Version C arcade revision, including online play and an online update ability.

PlayStation 3 version

The PlayStation 3 port is based around the older Version B revision. On January 16, 2008 Sega confirmed online feature will not be added to the PlayStation 3 version due to the Version B's technical limitations.

Virtua Fighter 5 R

On February 14, 2008, at the AOU Amusement Expo, Sega AM2 announced a revision to Virtua Fighter 5 known as Virtua Fighter 5 R. This new version was released for the Arcades on July 24, 2008 and features brand new stages as well as a new character named Jean Kujo, who practices Karate. The sumo wrestler Taka-Arashi also returns, making his first appearance since Virtua Fighter 3 and bringing the fighter count up to 20 (counting Dural). It is not known when or if the consoles will receive this new version. A form has been posted on the Virtua Fighter website that requests that the game be ported to the consoles.

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown

On February 18, 2010, Sega released a trailer for a second revision called "Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown." This update will debut at the 2010 AOU Expo, and will feature character costumes and new animations.

Reception

Reviews (Arcade, PS3 & 360 Versions)

Publication	Response
1UP	A+
Gamer.tm	9 out of 10
Game Informer	9 out of 10
IGN	9 out of 10
Eurogamer	9 out of 10
OXM	9 out of 10
Electronic Gaming Monthly	9.5, 10, 9.5 out of 10
Famitsu	34 out of 40
GameTrailers	88 out of 100
Official Xbox Magazine	9.0/10
IGN	8.8 out of 10
Gamespot	8.1 out of 10

The PlayStation 3 version debuted at #1 on the Japanese charts on February 20. The game received significant critical acclaim from most reviewers. In the 200th issue of Edge magazine (April 2009), Virtua Fighter 5 was voted #24 in their '100 Best Games to Play Today' feature. It was the second-highest ranked fighting game, after Street Fighter IV at #14.

External links

• North American website