Street Fighter EX2+
- May 23, 2000 00:00 AM PST
The Street Fighter family gets one game larger as Capcom and Arika deliver Street Fighter EX2+, a game which tosses new wrinkles into the series, but ends up a novelty for fair-weather fans and SF series newbies.
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Guile vs. Pullum Purna?
Street Fighter EX+ Alpha brought the SF series into the realm of 3D, and now EX2+ brings the World Warriors back into your living room in their full polygonal glory. Complete with old favorites (such as Ryu, Ken, Chun Li and Blanka) and EX series regulars (like Doctrine Dark, Nanase, and Skullomania), EX2+ promises an all-new fighting experience. Armed with Guard Breaks, Super Combos, Excels, and Meteo Combos, you'll have to fight your way to the top against some of the wildest fighters the gaming world has ever seen. What could go wrong?
Well, putting aside the PlayStation's limits for a moment, the problems with EX2 are the same as those that plagued EX+Alpha - namely, an almost total lack of personality. The unfamiliar characters lack the flair of the true World Warriors like Vega and M. Bison, and they make the game's overall mood inconsistent. Compared to other SF games, EX2+ seems shallow and gimmicky, and much less like the hardcore rumble the other games offer.
"Explosion."
EX2+ manages to present itself fairly well in the waning days of the PlayStation, but there are a handful of faults that threaten to bring down the ship. The character models look muddy and simple, and the backgrounds are way too flat to be interesting. EX2+'s sound comes across as muffled, and certain annoying sound bites repeat too often. Outside of these complaints, though, the game works on enough levels to avoid the Playstation dregs, with neat camera movements and solid special effects.
Control is arguably the most important thing in fighting games, and EX2+ is adequate in that regard, even if it doesn't deliver the level of sophistication you'd normally expect from a Street Fighter game. The slightly sluggish response time will frustrate hardcore fighters, as will the lack of advanced fighting techniques such as those in the Alpha series. EX2+ controls easily enough for the casual SF fan to play well, but more seasoned veterans will want to give this one a miss.
Street Fighter Almost 2+
For those new to Street Fighter, or those who want to see their favorites in 3D, SFEX2+ is a decent game that will keep you busy for a few days. For hardcore fans, this will not quench your thirst for advanced combos or techniques. A decent novelty, but there are better fighters out there.
