Even though remakes are the current trend, Capcom manages to take it to the next level by releasing the Ultra version of their classic "Street Fighter IV" on the PlayStation 4, following the Standard, Arcade and Super editions.
Wait a minute, wasn't this already released? YES! The ultimate version of the fighting game was already released on last-gen consoles, and thanks to the new hardware, it's supposed to be truly ultra, primarily due to technical upgrades like 1080p resolution and a smooth 60fps. Is it really worth buying again?
Graphics, sound and atmosphere…
Overall, the PS4 version hardly differs from the PS3 version, which also serves as the basis for the port. The cel-shaded look has almost completely withstood the test of time and, together with the quite respectable animations and effects, holds up relatively well. However, the strange-looking borders around the fighters, as well as the flickering and jagged edges, are a drawback. A little more effort could have been put into these details, especially since the original isn't exactly new anymore. It's also problematic and somewhat baffling that many players seem to be experiencing significant bugs, lag, glitches, and a host of graphical issues. Such things shouldn't happen after several years of development. We ourselves, however, didn't encounter any of the described problems during our testing.
As far as sound and atmosphere are concerned, there's absolutely nothing to complain about. Street Fighter remains one of the best beat 'em ups, thanks in large part to its great atmosphere and dynamic fights. The accompanying sound design and music during fights and in the menus further enhance the experience.
Overall, there's really nothing to criticize about the graphics, atmosphere, and sound, which are on par with its predecessor. However, don't expect any major leaps forward just yet, as it's important to remember that this is still a port. Capcom will likely only truly impress us with "Street Fighter V." Nevertheless, they can still captivate players and ensure that even after hours of fighting, you won't want to hang up your gloves.
Gameplay, controls and multiplayer…
What sets the Street Fighter games apart are their challenging combos. Newcomers will undoubtedly spend the first while memorizing the combinations of punches and kicks to even have a fighting chance against seasoned veterans. This is arguably the biggest difference compared to other beat 'em ups, which sometimes feature easier combo attacks. With a little trick, it's even possible to connect the PS3 gamepad to the PS4, evoking a true arcade feel. Generally, the new and old versions are very similar in this respect; the game modes—Arcade, Challenge, Training, and Online—remain the same, and aside from a few new costumes, there's little else new. The only real differences are the five new characters and six new stages. These additions expand the roster to 44 characters, ensuring there's something for everyone.
Several balance updates and numerous customization options ensure that the battles adapt to the respective player type, allowing you to fully concentrate on fighting your opponent and not have to struggle with your controller.
A key component of the game is its multiplayer mode. New players can join online or offline at any time, regardless of whether they've specifically chosen this mode or prefer to try their luck in Arcade mode while searching for a match. The game's settings allow players to prioritize facing opponents of similar skill to avoid being completely wiped out. Various points earned per battle indicate a player's skill level, a helpful feature to ensure fairness for all players.
Thus, the gameplay, controls, and multiplayer ensure that players feel comfortable with the title and can spend many hours playing it. The battles remain challenging, but can be mastered thanks to the challenge mode, in which players learn the most important moves for each character.
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release: Available
Official website: www.streetfighter.com
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