Tops 5 PC Fighting Games
With the upcoming release of Street Fighter V to PS4 and PC, looking to revitalize the genre in the same way it's predecessor did in 2008. We look back on the fighters that have defined the PC.
No.5 King of Fighters 13
It's difficult to have a top fighting game list without including a game developed by the masters at SNK. Devloping games for their NEO GEO system for over 14 years has enabled SNK to create a swathe of 2d classic's including Samurai Showdown, Fatal Fury, Garou and of course the afformentioned King of Fighters series which started way back in 1994. King of Fighters 13 was initially released back in 2010 and ported to PC on Steam in 2013 and included the additional console DLC characters to bring the roster up to a whopping thirty six up from 22 found in King of Fighter 12. It's a more balanced game aswell removing the easily exploitable Critical counters, guard attack and clash systems and replacing them with an EX system (similar to Street fighters EX system) which allows for a more powerful version of a special and the drive cancel system which allows the chaining of cancelled moves. This led to a game that was easier for beginners to get into but had a higher skill ceiling for people willing to put the effort in. But the improvements over the console version don't end there. Improved resolutions enhance the already excellent character and stage design and the netcode has been overhauled resulting in far lower lag and disconnects resulting in what is arguably the best way to play King of Fighters 13.
No.4 BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend
BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend is the follow up to calamity trigger and the 2nd in the franchise. Unfortuantly for PC users were a bit behind on the release schedule as Chrono Phantasma was released back on console in 2013 & 2014 and the fourth game in the series Blazblue Central fiction realeased late 2015 in Japanese arcades. Developed by Arc Systems works (famous for their earlier work on the Guilty Gear series) Blazblue is a 2d fighting game with an extensive story mode that puts most other fighting games to shame (and even some RPG'S) and if story mode isn't your fancy then there are 9 other modes to test your skills in. The 2d art is gorgeous, if a little jaggy when viewed on higher resolution monitors but hopefully the sequel fixes this minor issue. Featuring a sunning soundtrack that fits the action perfectly and 19 unique and varied characters this a fighting game that will keep you busy for a while.
No.3 Ultra Street Fighter 4
Continuing the tradition of it's forebears by releasing the base game and then reiterating on it by issuing updates with new characters, stages, modes and balance tweaks. Ultra Street fighter was the fourth version of the game that initally launched back in 2009 with Ultra not arriving until 2014. Street fighter 4 was the first in the mainline series to introduce fully 3d characters fighting in 2.5d. The fighting fanbase were torn with the decision to move to 3d characters and the possible impact this would have on the precise fighting engine. Although graphics are by in no way the most important aspect of a fighting game I personally never enjoyed the art style in 4, the characters never quite looked right and the backgrounds were dull. It's not all bad though and with 44 characters (the largest in a street fighter game to date) there is a character to suit everyone just don't pick one of the duds like Dan or Hakan. Street fighter 4 simplifies the mechanics of 3 with no parries and introdues the Focus Attack; a powerful counter attack with 3 levels of power which can often change the momentum of the fight when followed up with a Super.
No.2 GUILTY GEAR Xrd -SIGN
The first thing that strikes you about Guilty Gear Xrd is how beautiful the game looks, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were watching a 2d anime. But these are no 2d sprites, as revealed when pulling off certain moves they're fully 3d characters. The first time I saw this my mind was blown! each of the 17 characters are highly detailed and animated and all play uniquely. Some may scoff at such a small roster but personally I'd rather a smaller more varied roster than a large one with doubles and duds. Although a fighting game is not just about the looks and the Guilty Gear series is renowed for its superb fighting system which carries over here. Arguably more difficult for beginners to pick up compared with the likes of tekken or dead or alive so it's nice to see Arc Systems add an in depth tutorial mode and mission mode, the latter is useful for all players to learn the mechanics by completing set targets eg landing a set attack or avoid all attacks. Their are challenges for all characters and offer a fair amount of challenge towards the end. Guilty Gear Xrd was a late launch for PC in December 2015 after arriving on PS4 and arcades in 2014 and with the updated version Revelator already in arcades in Japan and set to launch sometime mid 2016 (at least on console) fighting fans may wonder whether its worth holding out for Revelator. Personally for the bargain price of £24 it's defenitley worth picking up Guilty Gear Xrd now as who knows exactly when the follow up will launch for PC.
No.1 Street Fighter 5
When you spend more time playing a game that's still in beta than most fully released games you know it's something special, Street Fighter 5 is that game. Street fighter 5 looks how I imagined 4 would look before launch. Highly detailed characters, gorgeous effects and a much improved animation system that looks even better in motion all add to the visuals. Focus attacks are gone (no more FADC's ) and the skill barrier has been lowered with the 1 frame links requiring Daigo like reflexes in 4 replaced with more human friendly 3 frame links. The lower skill entry for beginners however doesn't mean the game is simpler, new to Street Fighter 5 is the V-system which replaces the super and ultra meters from 4. These vary between characters and offer things such as reversals or one off parries. This shift of focus between the super fast reflexes required in 4 and the options offered in 5 thanks to the V-system make the game play closer to 3 than 4 did and matches feel more back and forth as a result. Time will tell whether Street fighter 5 has the lasting appeal of its forebears however with 6 new characters being introduced monthly from launch and then following seasons introducing more characters I wouldn't bet against it.