With Street Fighter IV first releasing on consoles all the way back in 2009, then its Ultra version last year, we are now beginning to welcome the newest addition to the Street Fighter franchise – Street Fighter V. With a release window for March 2016, the hype is building up as more and more information is being announced and revealed. There are some big changes coming to Street Fighter V that you probably want to know about, and we don’t want you to miss out. Here are six things you shouldn’t just know about, but actual reasons you should be hyped for Street Fighter V.
Returning Characters, Redesigned Characters, and New Characters
Aside from the obvious characters like Ryu and Chun-Li, characters that have been absent since the Alpha series like Charlie Nash and Birdie, the quite largely redesigned Ken, and entirely brand new character Necalli, have been revealed to be in Street Fighter V’s character roster. Sixteen characters are confirmed to be available at launch with four of them being completely brand new to the Street Fighter universe. It doesn’t end there. More characters will be released post-launch, which you can obtain/unlock completely free of charge – but more on this later. It’s always great to see a loved franchise expand and evolve throughout the years with each new character or revamp of an existing one becoming a new possible fan favourite. It’s definitely exciting stuff.
V-System, the New Battle System
With every fighting game comes a unique battle system. Street Fighter V, without a doubt, will bring something unique in this department, especially with their announcement of the new Variable System. Three core variable mechanics make up the V-System that revolves around the new V-Gauge that fills up as your character takes damage, as opposed to the Ex Gauge that fills up as you deal damage to your opponent. Here’s a little breakdown of the three variable mechanics within the V-System:
- V-Skill: While not using the V-Gauge to execute, V-Skills instead only rely on the medium punch and medium kick buttons as hitting them together allows it to be executed. V-Skills are unique to each character, and since they do not use the V-Gauge, can be used at any given time to fill up the V-Gauge.
- V-Reversals: On the other hand, V-Reversals do require the use of the V-Gauge to be executed as they require one stock of the V-Gauge to be used. It’s just like Alpha Counters from the Alpha series that allow you to counter your opponent while blocking. However, V-Reversals are unique to each character this time around as some push back, knock down, or even switch sides with opponents.
- V-Trigger: Like V-Reversals, V-Triggers also do require the use of the V-Gauge to be executed. Very similar to Ultras in Street Fighter IV, your V-Gauge must be full to perform and is done so by hitting the heavy punch and heavy kick buttons.
Cross Play Between PS4 and PC
Consoles and PCs being spoken together in the same sentence without some sort of sass involved? We rarely get that. It was way back to Portal 2 on the PS3 where I truly experienced a console and PC hold hands and sing kumbaya. While I wouldn’t say it was very stable, it was quite a plausible experience. Now, we get to see a PS4 and PC hold hands and sing kumbaya – well, that’s how I picture it at least. Maybe I’m being too optimistic? Nonetheless, connecting more players together, especially on different platforms, invites for a more diverse and dynamic community. Not to mention, more people to be able to duke it out with!
The Initial Release Disc Is the Only Disc You’ll Ever Need to Buy
This is one very big reason – if not the biggest reason – that makes me thankful for the release and marketing direction of Street Fighter V. Even if Capcom does decide to release a Super, Arcade Edition, or Ultra version of the game (I’m praying they don’t, however), at least my sanity can be calmed knowing I do not need to purchase them to unlock extra content. As a matter of fact, characters and other unlockable content can be obtained free of charge, which brings us to the next reason as to why you should be hyped for Street Fighter V.
Two Forms of Currency to Unlock Content With
It’s been revealed that there will be two types of currency to obtain extra content with post-launch:
- Fight Money: Basic currency obtained in-game that allows you to purchase content like new characters free of charge. The more you play, the more fight money you accumulate.
- Zenny: Premium currency that is obtained by spending real money. By spending real money, you can obtain new post-launch content immediately as playing through the game does not affect this currency.
Whether you want to obtain all the new post-launch content with Street Fighter V’s in-game fight money, your real money converted into Zenny, or even a mix of the two, it will be possible. So for you people out there with funds only available for the game itself, or now have a new found refusal to pay for the post-launch content with real money since you can get it for free, this is for you!
The Stunning Visuals
Have you seen the screenshots or gameplay for Street Fighter V? I hope you have, because the visuals for the game look pretty amazing. It’s also been improving and looking better since we were first exposed to the game. The character detail, lighting, shadowing, and overall presentation of the game look flawless so far. I only hope it’ll stay that way or look even better on launch day.