Street Fighter fans have been waiting for a new iteration in the series for quite sometime, and with a little apprehension regarding how Capcom would handle their esteemed franchise in 3D, after less than memorable sequels to the spite-based Street Fighter II. Anyone that falls into the aforementioned category can let out a sigh of relief, because Capcom handled the franchise marvelously, producing one of the most enjoyable fighters in ages, recapturing the glory and nostalgia that is Street Fighter II while adding enough new content and visual flair to give the game a fresh and modernized feel.

Part of the beauty of Street Fighter IV is the balance it strikes between pick-up-and-play gameplay and being a fighter with incredible depth. The game makes sure it’s easy for the average fighter fan to pick up Ryu, start throwing some old school hadokens, and hold is own. At the same time, new mechanics such as Focus Attacks, Super Combos, and Ultra Combos add to the depth and strategy that the hardcore fans crave in their fighters. Focus Attacks, which are executed with the Medium Punch and Medium Kick held simultaneously, are powerful attacks that can knock enemies down. Super and Ultra Combos are executed when their respective meters fill up, giving you the opportunity to execute one of these very powerful moves. Whether you’re building up your special meter to perform Ex versions of your special moves and focus canceling, or merely kicking in some faces and tossing some hadokens, Street Fighter IV’s gameplay delivers frantic, tense, and even epic 1-on-1 combat.

For the inexperienced fighter fans that want to master Street Fighter IV, Capcom delivers all the tools necessary to do so. There is an extensive Training mode, as well as a bevy of Challenge modes. The Challenge modes contain a few different options, including a Time Attack mode, Survival mode, and Trial mode. Time Attack and Survival give you a time limit for dispatching your foes and a number of foes to be dispatched, respectively, while the Trial mode gives you commands and combos to execute – which can get incredibly complex. Along with these new additions, there are several new characters introduced, while the expected cast has all returned. The new characters mesh well with the universe, while the returning cast all handle exactly as they should.

While these fresh elements all add extensive replay value, there are also a ridiculous amount of unlockables, whether they come in the form of new taunts and colors or titles and icons for online play. Online play is another element that adds to the game’s replay value, attempting to bring the smash-mouth, quarter pumping feel of the arcades into your living room. Online connections, as a whole, have seemed relatively strong, though the hardcore players may be a little weary as to whether or not they and their opponents are experiencing the exact same fight – for which the solution is local multiplayer, which is perhaps even more visceral, with your opponent sitting directly beside you. Thankfully, online play also features a “Same Skill” search criteria, so the inexperienced users won’t continuously be destroyed by some of the absurd talent online, while subsequently building their own skill by fighting players that are close to their equal.

The Arcade mode also presents interesting 2D anime cutscenes at the start and conclusion of each run through, in an effort to touch on various story elements. However, they’re incredibly short and surprisingly light on plot elements while referencing plot elements the gamer is expected to know. They don’t add all that much to the game, but may leave some players scratching their heads.

Fortunately, the gameplay itself uses very stylized 3D models, but on a 2D plane. The visuals are gorgeous and the animations are even more impressive, with a remarkable fluidity to them. The art style gives the game an incredibly unique, as well as visually appealing aesthetic feel. The camera also sweeps in at impressive angles, temporarily pausing the action at the execution of Ultra moves. The angle itself adds to the impressive feel of the game, but even better – and incredibly memorable – are the facial expressions of the frightened and surprised chumps about to receive the Ultra move. The art design gives the game its own distinct, memorable style, and looks absolutely beautiful in motion.

Street Fighter IV is a great achievement as well as a great game. It caters to the casual and hardcore fans, has a distinct style, blends nostalgia with new mechanics, and has loads of replayability. If you like Street Fighter IV – which you probably will, unless you dislike the genre in general – you’re going to be hard pressed to find a reason to stop playing it. There were a lot of high expectations tied to Street Fighter IV, and Capcom responded to any and all apprehension with a resounding, powerful “HADOKEN”!