Fighting games have been near and dear to my heart since high school, as it was a genre of games that I picked up in my freshman and sophomore years. I still remember saving up my money from my meager kitchen job and buying a PlayStation 3, as well as a brand new copy of "Ultra Street Fighter IV." I knew I was late to the party with the game in its fourth iteration, I didn't care, because I finally got to play the game for myself! I didn't have to play "Street Fighter 2: Champion Edition" with a keyboard on Kongregate! It was the best!

Even today, while I don't have my PlayStation 3 anymore, I have its upgraded cousin, as well as a digital copy of USFIV. I enjoy playing it either by myself or with friends, and it definitely has the value of something that is great to play with a couple of other people.

The premise behind USFIV is simple, much like almost any other fighting game. You and your opponent both choose a character from the roster and fight using their attacks and other special moves. Each character has normal moves, which are standard punches and kicks using the buttons on the controller, as well as special moves, which require you to make an input on your controller as well as push a button. You also have super combos and ultra combos, two techniques that require a filled meter to execute, and both of them can turn the tide of battle.

The games modes are simple. Arcade mode has you fight six fighters, then your "rival," a character that opposes your character in the lore, and the final antagonist, Seth. Your rival battle can either be serious or comical, depending on the character. Ryu, the main character, will fight either his best friend Ken or his eternal rival and muay Thai champion, Sagat. The battle with Seth that takes place afterward is the final match unless you unlock a secret battle with a hidden boss. This is one of my favorite features of the game, as it rewards you for doing better in your fights leading up to the match with Seth.

Other modes include challenges, training, and online mode. These are self-explanatory. "Challenges" is a mode where every single character has challenges that you can complete in order to become more skilled in using the character. This game isn't easy, and while picking it up and starting isn't hard, mastering the core gameplay and mechanics of a character take time and dedication. Training mode is useful to practice combos and techniques, and online mode is where you go to duke it out with other people in real time. You earn points and prestige this way, and you gain real skill in using your character against others online. While I wouldn't call myself very good at USFIV, I still managed to do okay online. It's not for everyone, though!

The character roster is awesome. There are 44 playable characters and a majority of them are all different and interesting to play. While there are a few characters that have similar movesets like Ryu, Ken, Dan, and Sakura, they are all mechanically different and require different approaches to use and master. The variety and diversity of the characters still blows my mind. There's a sumo wrestler, a green jungle-man, a secret agent, a luchador who is also an aspiring chef, and a dictator with immense psychic power. I'm just scratching the surface, too! There's definitely a character for everyone in this game, I guarantee it!

Still, not everything about the game is perfect, though. If you don't like to play online, the game isn't for you. Also, while this isn't the game's fault, you need PS+, a paid online service to play online, and it's sixty dollars a year. Also, fighting games are not easy and not for everyone. They're pretty hard, and while USFIV looks colorful and entertaining, it's not an easy game. It's for those who want to try fighting games, and if you're turned off by the difficulty then the game isn't for you. While USFIV is probably the friendliest fighting game to newcomers, it will chew you up and spit you out if you don't respect it.

In the end, I love USFIV. It has its issues, but the gameplay and lasting appeal are incredible. For those who love fighting games or just want to try them out, I highly recommend this game.

Pros:

+ Great gameplay that's been balanced over almost a decade

+ Amazing roster of 44 characters

+ A variety of modes to practice with

+ Arcade mode is fun and different with every character

+ Online mode is great for battling other people in real time

+ A great game to play with friends and has incredible lasting appeal for its price

Cons:

- Online mode is a paid service

- The game is hard, and only for those who really want to play fighting games

Final Rating: 8/10