The Made2Game Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition DLC Review

Capcom have released their second ‘final’ version of Street Fighter IV as DLC for Super Street Fighter IV, but does Arcade Edition improve on Super in enough ways to warrant the upgrade?

When we look back at Super Street Fighter IV now, we realize just how big an upgrade it was. Ten characters with unique playing styles, a new replay channel, tweaked online progression, a new Ultra for every character to help players compliment their playing styles. It was an evolution. Sure, most the ‘new’ characters were upgraded from Street Fighter II and, yes, spectator lobbies should have been in Street Fighter IV from day one, but Super felt like the definitive destination wrought by Street Fighter IV’s success, a worthwhile upgrade for any player, and a perfect entry point for newcomers Now, over a year later, Capcom have released this third ‘major’ overhaul for Street Fighter IV but we must admit that unless you’re a massive fan of Hadouken’s, Focus Dash Cancels and 3-Frame advantages then this isn’t easy to recommend…

New Challengers

Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition’s upgrades come in three main areas; a handful of new characters, an expanded replay channel, and numerous balance changes to the existing cast. The four new characters are probably the most interesting addition for many players and they are Evil Ryu, with added, ghastly chest cavity. Oni, technically Evil Akuma and still a character design we find somewhat egregious, and Street Fighter III’s hip, young, extreme sport loving duo, Yun and Yang.

Evil Ryu is a fighter that takes inspiration from both Ryu and Akuma, stealing moves from both of them and trading vitality for increased damage output much like Akuma himself. Oni is a slightly different take on the ‘Shoto’, characters that play similarly to Ryu and Ken, mould. Looking like a Super Saiyan Gouken he fights with a mix of Akuma and Gouken’s abilities thanks to a mix of more typical Shoryuken’s and slow fireballs. However his air dash is a completely unique dynamic and makes him a character worth investigating. Yun and Yang are the martial arts brothers who first debuted in Street Fighter III and mark a new age for intense rush down techniques in Street Fighter IV. The two play similarly but Skateboard loving Yun is remarkably more useable. Yang’s key attacks are easily punished and his assaults effortlessly blocked, whereas Yun is a beast that has completely rocked the balance boat in his inclusion thanks to quicker moves and a formidable ‘custom combo’ Super technique.

All in all the characters aren’t as diverse as we would have hoped. Two more ‘shoto’ fighters will likely be forgotten about in a few weeks, while Yun and Yang are so similar that Yang feels surplus to Yun’s inclusion as he is clearly the superior fighter. We were also disappointed to find no new trials to help players learn about these new fighters, showing a tiny spot of laziness on Capcom’s part.

Fight Crud

The replay channel is a more noteworthy addition. The new system lets you watch ‘expert’ players immediately and also follow a handful of players so you are updated on their latest replays immediately, a brilliant inclusion for both fans and those wishing to improve their game. Balance tweaks on the other hand? Incidental improvements aimed purely at the truly hardcore. Super Street Fighter IV was an exquisite game and many of Arcade Edition’s tweaks will be un-noticeable to the untrained eye. While fans will see these changes as massive tectonic shifts, and some are genuinely interesting if you’re interested in that side of things, the majority of players will not notice nor care for most of them. Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition is the gaming equivalent of someone coming into your house, moving all your furniture around slightly and leaving a few new things on the coffee table. Unless you’re intimately involved with the location of your lamp then you simply won’t know if it’s been turned 10 degrees to the right.

Ultimately Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition is brilliant for die-hard fans, while the upcoming budget retail release will be the best point to jump in for those that have miraculously avoided Street Fighter to this day. But for 1200 Microsoft Points/£11.99, the four characters are far from unique enough, and the upgrades so incidental, that those who just play a little Street Fighter every now and then may as well stick with last year’s Super update and save the money for the summer’s Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition, which will effortlessly give them more punch per pound.

6/10

Words: James Bowden

Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Editionis out now on 360 Marketplace (1200 Points) and PSN ($9.99/£11.99).

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