Virtua Fighter 4
 

 
REVIEW:  Virtua Fighter 4 brings the series back to it's arcade 3D fighting game roots, ditching the realistic multi-tiered backgrounds from VF3 and re-introducing square shaped rings from the likes of the original VF and VF2. It was cool to see Sega trying something new and innovative with VF3's wide open stages, but the core gameplay mechanics suffered in return. In addition, certain stages in VF4 now feature walls, opening up all new strategy to the tried-and-true 3D gameplay. 


All characters from the prequel make the return... with the exception of the Sumo wrestler Taka-Arashi. Balancing the huge Sumo in gameplay (and combos) proved to be challenging in VF3, so Sega ditched the character entirely (until finally bringing him back in future installments). In Virtua Fighter tradition, two new characters join the roster of martial artists. The newcomers, Lei Fei (a Shaolin monk with a dynamic and flowing fighting style) and Vanessa (a badass Vale Tudo chick who's a little rough around the edges), bring a new vibrancy to the classic roster with their badass martial arts styles.

 

 

Also staying true to the series' traditions... the upgraded graphics are nothing short of amazing. Character models are superbly detailed and show off some of the best clothing details & effects to date. Character faces are also some of the most detailed we've seen in a fighting game, as each character has a variety of facial animations as they speak. The VF series was always ahead of the game in the facial animations department, so it's awesome to see this new step in the evolution of Sega's 3D engine.
 
 
The vivid, smooth animations of the fighters are highlighted by VF4's refined and impressively-detailed stage designs. Several stages also have unique graphical effects that interact with the fighters, such as snow on the ground, rain puddles, and breaking tiles on the ground. The arcade version knocked the visuals out of the park, but the PS2 version's slightly-downgraded effects are still impressive. Certain stage textures are at a notably lower resolution than others... but overall VF4 is a very pretty game on console.

 

 

The gameplay of Virtua Fighter 4 is as deep and as solid as you'd expect from the series... like in any quality 3D fighting game, button mashing won't do you any good (in the long run) here. Learning a character's full moveset and developing combos as you go is a must-have experience as a fighting game player, if you ask me. The cast of VF4 build upon their huge movesets, offering the most dynamic and interesting selection of attacks and throws to date. Learning the match-ups and what each character can do is imperative to fully enjoying and experiencing everything VF4 has to offer.


Each character feels unique and combos are minimal, leaving the game feeling "slow" at certain times. There are some odd (and cheap-ish) "ground juggles" that can be executed to potentially ruin the experience for casuals... but at mid or high-level, VF4's gameplay is beautiful to watch and rewarding to learn. If you ask me, learning multiple characters is key. The sidestepping game and wall game is solid... with interesting combo opportunities and strategies to discover once you dive in. The side-stepping mechanics feel solid, with 3D movement feeling only slightly sluggish when compared to some other 3D fighters out there. In any case, you still know you're playing a "quality" 3D fighting game when you're playing VF. 

 

 

The home port of VF4 on PS2 debuts the all new Kumite mode where players fight one computer controlled opponent after another. Though winning ranked matches, players can advance through the ranks and can also collect a wide variety of customizable items such as clothing colors and attire to change the look of your fighters! Awesome!

 

Page Updated: April 20th, 2025 Developer(s): Sega-AM2 Publisher(s): Sega Designer(s): Yu Suzuki Platform(s): Arcade, PlayStation 2 Release Date(s): 2001                                   Arcade Jan. 31st, 2002               PS2 Mar. 17th, 2002             PS2 May 10th, 2002              PS2 Characters:  Akira Yuki, Sarah Bryant, Jacky Bryant, Kage, Lau Chan, Jeffry McWild, Wolf Hawkfield, Pai Chan, Shun, Lion Rafale, Aoi Umenokouji, Vanessa Lewis, Lei-Fei, Dural Featured Video: Related Games: Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution, 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 Showdown, Fighting Vipers, Fighting Vipers 2, Fighters Megamix, Last Bronx, TEKKEN 4, TEKKEN 5     Gameplay Engine  9.5 / 10 Story / Theme  6.5 / 10 Overall Graphics  10 / 10 Animation  9.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  7.5 / 10 Innovation  8.0 / 10 Art Direction  8.0 / 10 Customization  9.5 / 10 Options / Extras  9.5 / 10 Intro / Presentation  6.5 / 10 Replayability / Fun  8.5 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  8.5 / 10 Characters  8.0 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  9.0 / 10  Review based on PS2 version       Final Words: Virtua Fighter 4 was easily the best and most polished installment in the series to date. For those who got to play it at arcades (rare in the U.S.), VF4 was a captivating 3D fighting game. The eventual PS2 version was a great port and definitely a fighting game worth playing. Nearly a year after VF4, Sega released VF4: Evolution which built upon VF4's foundation, added new characters, moves, and stages... and was an incredible sequel. VF4's Kumite mode, ranks, and customizations options were very innovative for the time - later to be used and evolved in other 3D fighting games such as TEKKEN 5. ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen    Click Here for all Box Art / Arcade Flyers / etc.     Click Here for all Stages / Backgrounds! Click Here for all Screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES