Virtua Fighter 5

GameSpy

For gamers who've mocked their PS3-owning friends, it's time to suck up to them and hang out at their crib for this one. One taste of this, and it's going to feel like a long, long wait for the summertime release on Xbox 360.

Sydney Morning Herald

Fantastic animation, incredible art design and an intensely challenging fighting system ensure Virtua Fighter 5 is a game PS3 owners will be proud of for months to come.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Virtua Fighter 5 kicks everyone's ass up and down the block. Sure some fighting series like "Soul Calibur" and "Tekken" distract you with all kinds of extra modes and, uh, bowling, but VF5 rises above the pack thanks to the sheer depth of its gameplay. [Mar 2007, p.84]

1UP

It succeeds based on the merits of its infinitely replayable, highly finessed fighting engine. While "noobs" might be content to knit the same canned combos over and over, veterans will relish the ability to improvise, discover, and master new moves, combos, and strategies, day after day after day.

Play Magazine

I think Virtua Fighter 5 was the game that the AM2 development team was dreaming of when they created Virtua Fighter. [Mar 2007, p.48]

PSX Extreme

While it may not offer the amount of extras that Tekken does, it does offer the most well thought out fighting mechanics a fighting game could have, and that's more important than having a bunch of mini-games.

Computer and Video Games

As an intelligent and masterful 3D beat 'em up experience, this is as pure as it gets. [JPN Import]

GameTrailers

If you enjoy really digging into a fighting system and mastering its intricacies you'll be astounded at the depth on display here. The lack of online play is a huge disappointment and it's definitely light on the modes, but Virtua Fighter 5 is still the gold standard that other fighting games will be trying to top for years to come.

GamePro

"Virtua Fighter 4" was easily the best in the series, and also one of the best hardcore fighting games ever released. While it doesn't represent as huge a step up as say, "VF4" did over "VF3," it can still claim the crown as the best Virtua Fighter to date. It's a rousing success on all fronts.

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

Virtua Fighter 5 is a rock solid entry into the series, and a must-buy for your PS3. [Mar 2007, p.64]

ZTGameDomain

The lack of any online component is a heartbreaker, but one that can be overlooked if you truly enjoy the deep combat to be found within. The Quest Mode will keep you enthralled for hours on end, but not being able to put your custom fighter up against your buddies via memory card will hurt this game’s longevity.

GamingTrend

While some fighters try to blow you away with the number of characters or some other new gimmick, VF5 brings a high caliber fighter with more substance than most other games in the genre.

GamerNode

While the barebones gameplay options and lack of flash may make VF5 seem like a stripped title, that couldn't be further from the truth. While we don't get beautiful cinematics, dozens of characters or a bunch of gimmicky modes to keep us busy, we do get the solidest fighter we've had in a very long time, and what may be the best single player mode in any fighter to date.

PSM Magazine

Sure, the game is lacking online play, but when a game is as masterful as VF5 is, we can survive without it. [Apr 2007, p.68]

Playstation Official Magazine UK

All talk of complexity aside, VF is still brilliant. The new characters are excellent, the fighting's just different enough to force long-time players to tweak their styles and the new moves are a definite improvement. [Apr 2007, p.80]

PALGN

Despite AI-related complaints and the lack of an online mode, it’s with great ease that Virtua Fighter 5 can be declared the greatest 3D fighting game ever created. Its depth is unparalleled, and the diversity of its fighting styles overwhelming (in a good way).

Eurogamer

To complain that Virtua Fighter 5 isn't accessible enough would be like complaining that a black and white film isn't colourful enough, or that a vegetable dish isn't meaty enough. VF5 sets out to create the world's best beat 'em up for beat 'em up aficionados, and it succeeds.

DarkStation

From the moment I picked up this game I can honestly say I was just floored by how amazing the gameplay really was.

GameZone

The closest Sega has come to creating the perfect Virtua Fighter sequel. Virtua Fighter 5’s fast-paced, in-your-face combat harkens back to the original.

Games Master UK

The lack of a difference from "VF4" and the absence of online play is a disappointment. Because of this and the sober approach to fighting it's hard to warm up to VF5, but that seems to be the price Sega pay for making this the purest fighting game around. [Mar 2007, p.72]

GameBrink

Virtua Fighter 5 is downright incredible. Its a near perfect port from the Arcades and features some of the most engrossing gameplay and visuals ever to grace a home console. [JPN Import]

IGN

It offers one of the most intuitive and robust fighting systems ever assembled and the customization options and quest mode are great fun. Granted, its AI isn't very good, it has a couple of interface issues and the lack of online is a major negative, but the mechanics here are so amazing, that it doesn't hurt the overall package as much as it would in other games.

PGNx Media

It’s still quite tough on beginners, though, if you’re willing to give it a chance this is PS3’s first (time limited) exclusive third-party killer app.

Pelit (Finland)

A very good beat 'em up that nonetheless feels more like evolution than revolution. The lack of internet play is a definite minus. [Mar 2007]

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Virtua Fighter 5 is, quite simply, about the art of fighting. Not destructible environments, super power moves or jiggling breasts, but technique, speed and strategy. As such, this is a game you have to be willing to work at to enjoy, and certainly won’t enjoy if you don’t.

PSM3 Magazine UK

Best scrapper ever? Perhaps, but VF5 is such an acquired taste. Great, but not one for all. [Mar 2007, p.64]

Cheat Code Central

All of the aspects of the game seem to have been developed with care, including the most important: graphics, music, and gameplay.

Gaming Target

Virtua Fighter 5 may not go down as the most charismatic fighting game around, but it gets it done in the gameplay department, which is what matters most anyway.

Play UK

Despite the obvious quality of the piece, it's something many of us simply can't get the most out of, and without a good deal of effort, it's something of a chore. It's time for the dreaded, "one for the fans." [Issue #150, p.60]

Worth Playing

Virtua Fighter 5 is a deep, beautiful fighter, but the depth of gameplay is undercut by a shallow offering of modes and a complete lack of online support. The Virtua faithful will likely swoon over the expanded roster and move sets, but the casual crowd may be disappointed with what is largely an incremental upgrade rather than a full-blown evolution of the franchise.

Gaming Age

Fighting enthusiasts will love the new characters and moves, along with the finely balanced Vs. play. Newbies to the series or genre, will appreciate the eye-pleasing high-def visuals at first and then most likely be sucked in by the deep gameplay and the enjoyable Quest Mode.

MEGamers

The game features a very deep gameplay system that you and your friends will truly enjoy. The AI lacks intelligence here though, limiting the single player experience.

GameSpot

Though the mode selection hasn't evolved much over that of Virtua Fighter 4, this fifth installment builds upon its predecessor's fighting system and is a better overall fighting game...A great fighting game that's specifically geared toward players who have experience with the series.

GameDaily

Even without PlayStation Network support, Virtua Fighter 5 deserves a place in every fighting fan's library. Not only does it provide hours of fun, but also the presentation finally gives PS3 owners something to "ooh" and "ahh" about.

games(TM)

Online mode or not, Virtua Fighter 5 is still the pinnacle of 3D videogame fighting. The engine is flawless, demonstrating the difference each combat style can have on a bout, and allowing for a level of mastery absent in its competition. [Mar 2007, p.100]

Game Informer

While I would love to give this a higher score, its lack of online play and dearth of innovation hurts its entertainment value. Fans will enjoy it, but there isn't much else here. [Mar 2007, p.100]

AtomicGamer

Virtua Fighter 5's greatest strength is the depth of its incredible fighting. Unfortunately, the lack of online features and not-that-impressive graphics make this one only really worth it if you've already got a PS3 and love fighting games.

Edge Magazine

Even in this compromised form, Virtua Fighter 5’s depth and beauty are unrivalled, and it can finally take its rightful place as the only game in town. [Apr 2007, p.76]

Yahoo! Games

It's just a shame that Sega chose to conform to the fighting game mold rather than breaking it with something totally extraordinary, because that's what it's going to take if we're ever going to see this genre back at the top of the video-game food chain.

Gamestyle

As a fighting experience Virtua Fighter 5 is unsurpassed, where the series goes from this point is open to debate. It is crying out for some form of online functionality or a decently implemented career mode. However while that fighting system is still in place it will remain a worthwhile, challenging and prolonged experience.

AceGamez

Virtua Fighter 5 is exceptional. It's just a shame that with a few extra modes (Sega, please get an online mode running for the 360 version!) this could have been a masterpiece of pure gaming gold.

VideoGamer

It's just a massive disappointment that this PS3 port is so bare bones.

GameShark

A gorgeous graphical update and two new characters are more than enough to satiate the appetites of ardent followers; however, there really isn’t much here that significantly sets this fifth installment apart from previous efforts. This, along with the glaring lack of online features, makes Virtua Fighter 5 limited in its appeal.

Detroit Free Press

VF5 makes a faulty attempt at simulating the online experience with its Quest mode. You can roam through a virtual city of sorts making stops at arcades and competing against virtual players complete with virtual gamer tags and even minor virtual trash talk. It's a virtual waste of time.

Game Almighty

Though it is more approachable than previous versions, Virtua Fighter 5 still takes a lot of work before it becomes fun, and sixty dollars aside, it may be too big an investment for most casual gamers.

Pure Magazine UK

Looks nice but doesn't really bring anything new to the party to make it essential. [Mar 2007, p.57]

Game Revolution

It overwhelmingly asks the question: “Why fight?” It can’t be for the rewards, which are boring. It can’t be for the story, which is non-existent. And it really can’t be for pride, since without any online multiplayer, you are confined to fighting only people who probably have never played before and who might not enjoy coming over to your apartment solely to get their ass kicked.