The gameplay is just as solid as the original VF4, and even feels a little smoother with this update. The 3D gameplay is of the most technical in any fighting game, but still noticeably slower than the likes of Soul Calibur or Tekken. VF4: Evo definitely isn't sluggish in terms of gameplay, but definitely has a unique pacing to it. Needless to say, after playing a more frantically paced fighting game, VF4 will definitely seem "tame". It's not really a bad thing, though, because once you're warmed up to it, it feels very natural.


The new characters introduced in VF4: Evolution are no doubt the "coolest" characters  the series has seen. To back up their convincing personalities, Goh and Brad have awesome fighting styles and huge movesets. Most returning characters were given some badass new moves as well. As expected, the animation in VF4: Evo is top notch, although there are some awkward movements. For one, there are quite a few throws that should have more convincing "ouch factor"... Some of the older animations from previous installments still plague VF4, and probably should've been taken out of the game by now. 

 

 

VF4: Evolution's mechanics and the overall control of your character feels responsive for the most part, but in my opinion, when compared to the latest TEKKEN or Soul Calibur entries, "the feeling of lag" (offline) is more apparent in Virtua Fighter... and makes the game feel slower. On that note, certain advanced techniques like buffering and air combos require a bit of delay - and alas, have rather "unusual" timing. In short, it's noticeable if you play a lot of 3D fighting games.


The juggles in VF4: Evo are also pretty ridiculous... perhaps even more so than the likes of TEKKEN 5, in my opinion. There are tons of "ground juggling" possibilities - as some characters can literally "sweep the floor" with their opponents. That means you can start a combo near the middle of the ring, and kick your opponent across the ground until you get a Ring Out. Even so, there are definitely some fun combos to learn, along with some very cheap ways to abuse the CPU AI (and human opponents) when things get tough (and trust me, the CPU get toughs in the higher ranks). As with any quality fighting game, VF4: Evolution's combo system separates the noobs from the pros... but still, the game manages to be fun for both casual and expert players alike. 

 

 
The home version of VF4: Evolution features an entertaining Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary mode, which combines elements from the original Virtua Fighter with Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. All VF4: Evo characters are selectable in this mode with their full movelists, but now have the ability to jump much higher than normal (like in Virtua Fighter 1). In this mode, the fighting is also limited to a 2D plane (unless you're thrown). The best part about 10th Anniversary mode is that character models are rendered in the old & now laughable "blocky polygon" style, yet their personalities seem to shine even more for some reason. Only Arcade and VS mode are available in 10th Anniversary mode, but it's a huge fan service for those who've been playing Virtua Fighter since the beginning, adding quality nostalgia and personality to the package. Yeah, I'd even say the PS2 version is a must own for this mode alone! 
 

Page Updated: June 20th, 2024 Developer(s): Sega-AM2 Publisher(s): Sega Platform(s): Arcade, PlayStation 2 Release Date(s): Q3 2002                          Arcade Mar. 13th, 2003          PS2 June 30th, 2003          PS2 Aug. 13th, 2003          PS2 Characters:  Goh Hinogami, Brad Burns, Akira Yuki, Pai Chan, Jacky Bryant, Kage, Lau Chan, Jeffry McWild, Sarah Bryant, Wolf Hawkfield, Shun Di, Lion Rafale, Aoi Umenokouji, Vanessa Lewis, Lei-Fei, Dural Featured Video: Related Games: Virtua Fighter 4, Virtua Fighter, Virtua Fighter Remix, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Fighter Kids, Virtua Fighter 3, Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Fighter 5 R, Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, VF5: Ultimate Shodown, Fighting Vipers, Fighting Vipers 2, Fighters Megamix, Last Bronx, Dead or Alive 2, DOA2: Hardcore, Dead or Alive 3, TEKKEN Tag Tournament, TEKKEN 4, TEKKEN 5, TEKKEN 5: DR    Gameplay Engine  9.5 / 10 Story / Theme  6.0 / 10 Overall Graphics  10 / 10 Animation  9.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  8.0 / 10 Innovation  7.5 / 10 Art Direction  8.0 / 10 Customization  9.5 / 10 Options / Extras  9.5 / 10 Intro / Presentation  6.5 / 10 Replayability / Fun  9.0 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  8.5 / 10 Characters  8.5 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  9.1 / 10  Review based on PS2 version       Final Words: Even in the year 2003, a significant update to a "high-quality" 3D fighting game was a very exciting thing... especially for someone like me who loves 3D fighting games and often prefers their gameplay style to many 2D titles these days. That said, don't you dare call VF4: Evolution a "rehash"... some great fighting games simply need a sequel or two to come intro true form. VF4 deserved this update! While VF4: Evolution might've missed some arcade scenes, the PS2 release was excellent and one of the best 3D fighters of the time period. I wasn't wrong to be excited for the PS2 release (picked it up on day one)... because friends and I ended up putting 100's of single-player and multi-player hours into this game. Unlocking new customizations was particularly fun and rewarding to me at the time, especially when its time to show them off to your friends the next day and kick their asses stylishly. In short, VF4: Evolution made me dust off my PS2 and start playing a different 3D fighting game much longer than I expected. As a player who still preferred the TEKKEN series in terms of feel and gameplay at the time (TEKKEN 4 and TEKKEN Tag Tournament)... I was able to easily jump in thanks to my previous 3D fighting game experience and quickly find my groove and favorite characters in Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. As a series, Virtua Fighter's attractiveness nicely evolved in VF4: Evolution, in part thanks to charismatic and hard-hitting new fighters, Goh Hinagami and Brad Burns. Two characters I learned in this game (and in the future sequels as well). VF4: Evolution's roster, diverse movesets, excellent customization mode, fast gameplay, and ouch factor... made this game worth playing for a long time. What characters lack in personality they make up for in deep movesets and quality martial arts animation. This what a quality 3D fighting game is all about!  ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen                         Click Here for all Posters / Box Art / etc. Click Here for all Screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES