Virtua Fighter 5

Infobox VG
title = Virtua Fighter 5


developer = Sega-AM2
publisher = Sega
series="Virtua Fighter"
designer = Noriyuki Shimoda (producer)
Yoshihiro Tsuzuku (director)
release = Arcade Ver.A
PlayStation 3 Ver.B
Xbox 360 Ver.C

media = Blu-ray Disc, DVD-ROM
genre = Fighting
modes = Up to 2 players simultaneously, 2 Players over Xbox Live
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Tcite press release|title=Sega unveils ship date for Virtua Fighter 5|publisher=Sega Corporation|date=December 18, 2006|url=http://www.sega.com/corporate/corporate.php?item=pr_20061218a|accessdate=2006-12-22]
platforms = Arcade, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
arcade system = Sega Lindbergh
display = Horizontally oriented
resolution = 720p {1080p] (HDTV)
480p/576p (EDTV)
480i/576i (SDTV)
input = 8-way joystick, 3 buttons

"Virtua Fighter 5" is the latest game in Sega's "Virtua Fighter" series and direct sequel to "". The original version was released on July 12, 2006 into Japanese arcades. A revised version (called "Version B") was ported on the PlayStation 3 on February 20, 2007 (despite the advertised date of February 23) and was a launch title for the console's European release in March.

Live Arena

The Xbox 360 port of arcades' Version C, was released in October 2007 in North America and Europe. "Live Arena" was added to the titled with the Japanese version released on December 6, 2007 [ [http://tgs.gamespot.com/story.html?sid=6179174&pid=937423&tag=top_stories%3bstory%3b5 TGS 2007 - TGS '07: Virtua Fighter 5 Hands-On - Xbox 360 News at GameSpot ] ] This port has benefited from the additions and refinements that have been made to the "Version C" arcade revision, while the PlayStation 3 port is based around the offline older "Version B." revision.cite press release|title=Told You So:Virtua Fighter 5 for Xbox 360|publisher=Kikizo|date=December 21, 2006|url=http://games.kikizo.com/news/200612/075.asp|accessdate=2007-01-16] The Xbox 360 version includes online play and online update ability [ [http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/07/06/360-virtua-fighter-5-has-online-play/ 360 Virtua Fighter 5 has online play! - Xbox 360 Fanboy ] ] . On January 16, 2008 Sega confirmed online feature will never be added to the PlayStation 3 version due to the Version B's technical limitations [ [http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3165460 VF5 360 Patched, Your FAQs Answered] ] .

Characters

Returning Characters

* Akira Yuki
* Pai Chan
* Lau Chan
* Wolf Hawkfield
* Jeffry McWild
* Kage-Maru
* Sarah Bryant
* Jacky Bryant
* Shun Di
* Lion Rafale
* Aoi Umenokouji
* Lei-Fei
* Vanessa Lewis
* Brad Burns
* Goh Hinogami
* Taka-Arashi (Virtua Fighter 5 R only)
* Dural

New Characters

* El Blaze
* Eileen
* Jean Kujo (Virtua Fighter 5 R only)

Changes from "Virtua Fighter 4"

New characters

Two new characters are featured in "Virtua Fighter 5". The first character, Eileen, is a young girl who uses Monkey Kung Fu and enters the tournament to face her idol, Pai, whom she saw at a martial arts demonstration prior to the fifth tournament. The second character is El Blaze, a lucha libre wrestler who wishes to defeat Wolf Hawkfield.

Gameplay

*Throw speed has been reduced, from 8 frames to 12 frames. In addition, "Instant", or 0-frame throws re-appear from "Virtua Fighter 3" in guaranteed throw situations "(such as during an evade)".
*To encourage a more "moral" style of play, Sega introduce the Clash System: when initiated with the right timing, an attack can be canceled out with a throw, creating a clash and leaving both players at +0 frame advantage "(neutral)".
*Offensive Move: pressing "Punch + Kick + Guard" during an evade will initiate an angled forward dash. In addition, pressing "Punch" or "Kick" during OM will initiate an attack which can lead to side or back stagger or crumple, leading to a guaranteed combo opportunity.
*The Xbox 360 version introduced online support via Xbox Live, which allowed two players from around the world to battle it out over the internet. Developers have also suggested that the PS3 version could also be online-enabled in the form of a downloadable patch. [ [http://www.totalvideogames.com/news/AM2_Virtua_Fighter_5_PS3_Could_Be_Updated_For_Online_12050_5874_0.htm TVG: AM2: Virtua Fighter 5 PS3 Could Be Updated For Online News ] ] This was later discounted by Sega's Jay Boor who told : "at this time SEGA has no plans to release a patch for the PS3 version of Virtua Fighter 5."
*Version C of Virtua Fighter 5 was used for the 360 version which fixed up some gameplay issues, while the PS3 version used version B.
* Different items are available in the Xbox 360 port of the game in Quest mode, as it is based upon Version C.
*On January 16, 2008 the Xbox 360 version received an update, which made improvements and changes to online play and quest mode. [ [http://www.xboxic.com/news/4229 Xboxic » Virtua Fighter 5 gets a mega patch ] ]

Ranking system

The ranking system in "Virtua Fighter 5" is different from "Virtua Fighter 4". The following outlines the ranks obtainable:

*10th Kyu to 1st Kyu
*1st Dan to 10th Dan

After the Dan ranks, a character's title is dependent on winning percentage.

*If a character's winning percentage is less than 70 percent they will obtain the following ranks::Master -> Defender -> Enforcer -> Sentinel -> Protector -> Guardian -> Paladin -> Liberator

*If a character's winning percentage is between 70 and 80 percent they will obtain the following ranks::Master -> Hunter -> Raider -> Barbarian -> Assassin -> Slayer -> Berserker -> Destroyer

*If a character's winning percentage is above 80 percent they will obtain these ranks::Master -> Warrior -> Veteran -> Gladiator -> Vindicator -> Avenger -> Vanquisher -> Conqueror

This implementation has led to some players' confusion as to what is the highest rank. Upon obtaining "Conqueror" players have not gone through the other two ranking trees, and so, believe that other ranks exist above them. A character's winning percentage can and does change over time. This can lead to crossing from one rank tree to another (i.e. an "Enforcer" can rank up to "Barbarian" and then up or down to "Vindicator" or "Protector"). The only time a rank tree is final is when a character obtains their 28th rank, "Liberator", "Destroyer", or "Conqueror". It is impossible to change ranks once a character obtains their final rank, the experience bar stops moving, even when fighting other 28th rank opponents. It also appears to be impossible to rank down from this level, locking a character into their final title.

Plot

All of the sought after invitations for the Fifth World Fighting Tournament have been sent and now the 17 best fighters in the world begin their final phases of preparation. They must learn from their prior mistakes and perfect every aspect of their mind, body, and soul - for there is no room for mistakes in this competition. Little do they know that J6, the organization funding the tournament, has sinister ulterior motives for the contest and the company's top secret Dural program is already well underway. In the organization's quest for world domination, the scientists at J6 are creating the ultimate fighting machine with human features. Their first model was defeated in the Fourth World Fighting Tournament, which drove them to kidnap Vanessa. She was able to escape with the help of an insider, but not before they captured her combat data and transferred it to the new advanced Dural model named V-Dural.

J6 is determined to find out who the inside traitor is that released Vanessa and more importantly, if V-Dural is indeed ready to defeat the world's best fighters.The Fifth World Fighting Tournament will reveal both - let it begin.

Virtua Fighter 5 R

On February 14, 2008, at the AOU Amusement Expo, Sega AM2 announced a revision to "Virtua Fighter 5" known as "Virtua Fighter 5 R". This new version was released for the Arcades on July 24, 2008 and features brand new stages as well as a new character named Jean Kujo [ [http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=QZT8Y1T3Obw&feature=related Youtube match between Jean and Wolf] ] , who practices Karate. The sumo wrestler Taka-Arashi also returns, making his first appearance since "Virtua Fighter 3" and bringing the fighter count up to 20 (counting Dural). It is not known when or if the consoles will receive this new version.

Reception

The game debuted at #1 on the Japanese charts on February 20.Fact|date=February 2007 The game received much critical acclaim from most reviewers.

References

External links

* [http://www.sega.com/gamesite/vf5/index.html North American website]