It's rare for a studio to openly admit to aiming for a Game of the Year nomination with a traditional fighting game. But that's exactly what Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is doing with their next title. Virtua Fighter Project.
Producer Riichiro Yamada makes no secret of the fact that this reboot is intended to be far more than a modern iteration of the iconic series. He is certain that if... Virtua Fighter It returns not as a niche title, but as a game that reaches a wider target audience without diluting the DNA of the series.
That the studio behind Yakuza and Like a Dragon The takeover of the brand is already bringing a breath of fresh air. The developers not only have to face the legacy of one of the most influential 3D fighters, but also their own ambition to make the genre more accessible.
Accessible without sacrificing depth
Yamada describes The development process is approached almost surgically. Anything that presents an unnecessary barrier to entry for new players is reviewed and, if necessary, removed. At the same time, essential core mechanics are to remain untouched. This is ensured by series veteran Yosuke Takeda, who, as the combat director, knows exactly which elements can be tweaked and which form the foundation of the gameplay.
This approach seems plausible, because too many fighting games suffocate under their own complexity, while beginners get stuck in tutorials. RGG Studios follows a clear line here, a system that can be quickly understood but mastered in the long run. The promise of “easy to pick up“This makes it seem not like a marketing slogan, but like a genuine development goal.
New impetus through the Uprising mode
The new Uprising mode is particularly exciting, which, according to Yamada, “dynamic momentum shifts“This is intended to enable [something]. Details are scarce so far, but the mere existence of such a mode shows that the studio wants more than classic arcade structures. Whether it will be a story format, a kind of roguelite loop, or a competitive addition remains to be seen. Virtua Fighter It should feel more modern without losing its austerity.
The question remains whether this approach is sufficient for the GOTY ambitions they're aiming for. Ultimately, that will depend on the finishing touches, on whether RGG manages to appeal to both veterans and newcomers. But even now, you can sense the ambition that goes beyond a typical series comeback. Perhaps this very boldness is the reason why Virtua Fighter It might be relevant again today.
Well, that graphics definitely won't work.
The previous games were more grey and muddy than worthy of GotY.
I don't know what you're talking about. Virtua Fighter 5 looks colorful, and for a 20-year-old game, it can easily compete with Tekken 8, MK1, and SF6. What the Virtua Fighter series lacks is a story mode, and the roster is too small compared to other games. Maybe they'll make an adventure mode in Yakuza Still; that would be something.
Virtua Fighter was never developed by RGG.
They mainly made the Yakuza parts.
And they tend to be very muddy in color and often lack the finishing touches.
Yes, but the current remaster port is from them and their engine. I think it captures the original very well; you only notice the game is 20 years old in the animations. I think you're worrying unnecessarily. What's been shown so far looks better than SF6, Tekken 8, and MK1. At least a generation ahead. Some Yakuza games have an open world; if Virtua Fighter 6 only has to represent a small arena, then they'll certainly have enough power left over for nice textures.