Viva!: Return of the Hadouken
Grayson Hamilton
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Trinity Life
Whenever I get close to an automatic sliding door, I perform a Hadouken (1) so it opens for me.
Whenever I sneeze, I try to say Hadouken in hopes that one will actually fly forth from my nostrils.
Whenever I get a disappointing grade on an exam, I approach the teacher after class and Hadouken him or her into submission (Unfortunately, the usual result is a much, much lower grade).
There are very few words or actions that stand the test of time in the gaming world, but if there is ever a time to celebrate them, it would be now. This week saw the debut of "Street Fighter IV" (2), and let me reassure any doubters out there: If you enjoyed or even played "Street Fighter II" back in the day, you need to play this game.
Gone are the days of Alphas, Reduxs, Hyper Fighting and Tag-Team playing for Ryu and the gang. This iteration brings the art of fighting back to its roots: one-on-one, fists vs. feet and just three rounds to prove your stuff. Aside from the 12 fan favorites that no "Street Fighter" could be without, "SF4" also includes 13 others from video game lore, each of them toting a unique fighting style that takes true skill to master. Most notable among them, Gouken (3) will be recognized by the hardcore fans as Ryu and Ken's instructor and the only man in history who can throw Hadoukens with ONE F***ING HAND.
But as badass as old, wise, white-haired martial artists may be, it doesn't mean much if the game-play is anything less than solid, which I am happy to report is phenomenal. Capcom went out of their way to make sure that "SF4" was easy enough for newcomers to get into, but also deep enough that veterans of the series would still be challenged. After mastering a character's robust list of moves, players can start utilizing the Super and Ultra meters at the bottom of the screen. When filled, these meters can be used offensively to create absurdly incredible combos, or defensively to absorb incoming attacks and break your opponent's onslaught. After getting the hang of it, the possibilities of clinching that last round become endless.
It's been a long time since I've tangled with the likes of Sagat or Vega, but when it comes to "Street Fighter," any fan will agree it's just like riding a bike - once you learn, you'll never forget…I just wish the same can be said for the new "Street Fighter Movie" (4)…What has been seen cannot be unseen!!!
Whenever I sneeze, I try to say Hadouken in hopes that one will actually fly forth from my nostrils.
Whenever I get a disappointing grade on an exam, I approach the teacher after class and Hadouken him or her into submission (Unfortunately, the usual result is a much, much lower grade).
There are very few words or actions that stand the test of time in the gaming world, but if there is ever a time to celebrate them, it would be now. This week saw the debut of "Street Fighter IV" (2), and let me reassure any doubters out there: If you enjoyed or even played "Street Fighter II" back in the day, you need to play this game.
Gone are the days of Alphas, Reduxs, Hyper Fighting and Tag-Team playing for Ryu and the gang. This iteration brings the art of fighting back to its roots: one-on-one, fists vs. feet and just three rounds to prove your stuff. Aside from the 12 fan favorites that no "Street Fighter" could be without, "SF4" also includes 13 others from video game lore, each of them toting a unique fighting style that takes true skill to master. Most notable among them, Gouken (3) will be recognized by the hardcore fans as Ryu and Ken's instructor and the only man in history who can throw Hadoukens with ONE F***ING HAND.
But as badass as old, wise, white-haired martial artists may be, it doesn't mean much if the game-play is anything less than solid, which I am happy to report is phenomenal. Capcom went out of their way to make sure that "SF4" was easy enough for newcomers to get into, but also deep enough that veterans of the series would still be challenged. After mastering a character's robust list of moves, players can start utilizing the Super and Ultra meters at the bottom of the screen. When filled, these meters can be used offensively to create absurdly incredible combos, or defensively to absorb incoming attacks and break your opponent's onslaught. After getting the hang of it, the possibilities of clinching that last round become endless.
It's been a long time since I've tangled with the likes of Sagat or Vega, but when it comes to "Street Fighter," any fan will agree it's just like riding a bike - once you learn, you'll never forget…I just wish the same can be said for the new "Street Fighter Movie" (4)…What has been seen cannot be unseen!!!
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