Join Empire | Log In RSS | Twitter
The Empire office TV is switched off. Empire Magazine
Search   
Empire Magazine
Join Empire
Get our free weekly newsletter

 
HD Movies
Streamed instantly on Xbox 360
100 Sexiest Movie Stars
The sexiest men and women revealed

Reviews
STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED
5 Stars Classic
4 Stars Excellent
3 Stars Good
2 Stars Fair
1 Star Tragic

Packshot
Street Fighter IV

Game Details
Released
20 February 2009
Format
Xbox 360, PS3
Developer
Capcom


LATEST GAME REVIEWS
Assassin's Creed II
4 Star Empire Rating
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
4 Star Empire Rating
Saw
2 Star Empire Rating
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
5 Star Empire Rating
Dragon Age: Origins
5 Star Empire Rating



5 STAR REVIEWS
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
5 Star Empire Rating
Dragon Age: Origins
5 Star Empire Rating
Uncharted: Among Thieves
5 Star Empire Rating
Forza 3
5 Star Empire Rating
Beatles Rock Band
5 Star Empire Rating

Street Fighter IV

Street Fighter IV (2009)
Review
Game pedigrees don’t come much more distinguished than Street Fighter, the franchise that put 2D beat ‘em ups on the map and caused arcade coffers to swell throughout much of the early nineties. This latest update sees Ryu, Ken et al line up for yet another bout, this time with stylised, next-gen visuals thrown into the mix.

Those who baulked at the nerve-shredding test that was countering super attacks and pixel perfect parries in Street Fighter III will find IV far a far more welcoming affair. While veterans can still plough hours into mastering its nuances, even the greenest of gamers can jump straight in, throwing dragon punches and executing monster finishers with the best of them. Button mashing dominates fighting games, while convoluted special moves rule the rest - here it’s all about strategy. Go in with fireballs blazing but little else and a half decent opponent will leave you flat on your back. SF rewards feints and cunning - mastery of your opponent requiring more than simple skill with a gamepad.

In a world of bazillion hour RPGs and increasingly narrative-focused titles, something as superficial as two characters beating the snot out of each other may seem rather shallow. But, with gameplay that could easily take a lifetime to master and frenetic VS battles that never get tired, SFIV is guaranteed to be in your console long after those ‘deeper’ titles are left gathering dust.



Reviewer: Chris Pickering

Share this article on:
Post this story to Digg  Digg Post this story to Facebook  Facebook Post this story to Delicious  Delicious Post this story to Reddit  reddit Post this story to StumbleUpon  StumbleUpon

Write Your Review
To submit your own review and rating please login or register.

Advertisement

Your Reviews
Average user rating for Street Fighter IV
Empire Star Rating

RE: Street Fighter IV

Absolutely essential for Beat em up fans. I'm npot particularly good at the game but by Christ I just love playing it 10/10 Capcom... ... Read More

sephiroth7 About me
13:05, 14 October 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Street Fighter IV

Mine too ... Read More

Zool About me
23:47, 05 October 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Street Fighter IV
Empire User Rating

My game of the year. I think that says it all.  ... Read More

the anomaly About me
17:44, 23 September 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Street Fighter IV
Empire User Rating

ews by anyone yet? OK well, I think it's a fantastic game! I like the fact that after all of the many variations over the years, the original characters are all back here again. I'm not that keen on the new fighters though, the 'Silver-Surfer'-esque SETH is an awesome 'Final Boss'. ... Read More

Snake-Eyes About me
10:35, 20 September 2009 | Report This Post

SUBSCRIBE TO EMPIRE
Subscribe To Empire Magazine
Subscribe And Get 3 Free Blu-ray Movies!
Get your free Spider-Man 3, Terminator 3 And Starship Troopers 3 Blu-rays when you subscribe to Empire magazine!


CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
The 100 Sexiest Movie Stars Revealed
The 100 Sexiest Movie Stars Revealed
The votes are in and counted! We can now reveal the 50 sexiest men and women in Hollywood!

3-Part Steven Soderbergh Interview
The director on The Informant!, Liberace and Knockout

The Story Of Fight Club
On the 10th anniversary of the classic, the story of how it began...

A Serious Man: Michael Stuhlbarg
We interview the star of the new Coen brothers movie

Thor: The Who's Who
A guide to the cast of Kenneth Branagh's superhero epic, Thor

New Moon Video Interviews
We chat with Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner


Back | Print This Page | Email This Page | Back To Top

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
12 Issues For Only £25!
When you subscribe to Empire today
Subscribe Today »
Magazine Special Offers
Special offers on your favourite magazines
Latest Offers »
Three Free Blu-ray DVDs
When you subscribe to Empire today
Click here »
 
Movie News  |  Empire Blog  |  Movie Reviews  |  Future Films  |  Features  |  Video Interviews  |  Image Gallery  |  Competitions  |  Forum  |  Magazine  |  Resources
 
Mojo4music  |  Q4Music  |  Kerrang!  |  Aloud.com  |  Kiss
 
© Bauer Consumer Media | Terms And Conditions | Our Data Promise To You | Contact Us | Empire FAQ
Bauer Consumer Media. Company number 1176085 (England). Registered Office: 21 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2DY