(PSN) Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
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Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Classic 2D fighting juiced-up!
For several years, Capcom has been re-introducing the Street Fighter series on different platforms with several suffixes: Hyper, Super, Turbo, Champion...
In 2008, just a few months before the release of Street Fighter IV, Capcom once again pushes the limits of a remake by revamping their classic fighter with a longer name: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. This time, it actually feels like a real re-imagined version of the classic game and ponders the question: why did Capcom waited so long?
Here’s our review for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
Gameplay
The game features the same good old modes: single-player Arcade, Training mode and offline multiplayer but added a much more balanced online multiplayer experience from the one found in the Street Fighter II XBLA release of 2006. Turbo also received some fine tuning in terms of controls and fighting mechanics.
For some curious reason, the A.I difficulty was ramped up, and it definitely brought a sense of frustration with the game as your opponents will unleash their special moves at a repetitive rate, regardless of the difficulty level (…so tired of Chun Li’s fireballs and Lightning Kicks...). In the world of 2D fighters, this nuisance is kind of expected when you play at higher difficulty levels, but it was not something we expected to run into on the easy levels. So yes we were surprised about this and so will you.
If you’re really deep into the franchise, players can visit the game’s Dip Switch option, which was implemented mostly to appeal the most picky and hardcore Street Fighter players. This system will allow you to disable or enable a list of options in order to suit your personal fighting preferences and decide how the game will act. For example, you can restrict your opponents’ throws or adjust the percentage of the characters’ attack accuracy. Obviously, no one will care about these options unless you’re living and breathing Street Fighter.
But, even if the game has been improved, there are a few issues. Among them, the D-pad of the Xbox 360 controller, unlike the Playstation 3 controller, would not respond very well, forcing you to use the analog stick. The game also gives you the option to change your control configurations, but the game resets to a random default setting for some dumb reason. Personally, I’ve always played Street Fighter with defaults controls so for me, this issue was minor but for some, this is an outrage. Hopefully Capcom will issue a fix soon.
The game features online play, but sadly during our review process, we did not find many people playing it. Was it because of a lack of the TrueSkill matchmaking? No one can really tell but it sure is a logical indication. Luckily, we did manage to play some rounds and from what we’ve been able to experience, the online portion responded well. A few lags have been experienced but we have definitely seen worse.
Graphics & Sounds
Visually, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is beautiful. The good old background stages have received a welcomed facelift thanks to Canadian-based comic book publisher UDON who was in charge of the whole artwork for the game. No framerate hangs, 1080p support...everything holds up. Whatever version you buy (either XBLA or PSN); you will be treated with the same visual quality.
In order to offer some novelty alongside the HD visuals, Capcom went to video game music tribute website OverClocked ReMix and ask them to remix the old Street Fighter music for the game. The final result is a treat to the ears and fans of the series will surely appreciate the new soundtrack as it matches the striking visual experience to add a bit of adrenaline during fights.
Value
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix costs 15$. Is it really worth it? Well, if you take it as "just another Street Fighter game", then the answer is no. But if you manage to go beyond the game title and see the additions and updates the team over at Backbone has done, you will be pleased with spending 15$ on this game, especially if you’re a hardcore fan of the series.
Conclusion
Even though we have had our share of Street Fighter remakes over the past 15 years, this revamped version remains the most interesting of all. If you haven’t bought a downloadable fighting game yet, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix might be the one to get but don’t expect a whole lot of changes besides improved visuals and a few balanced gameplay elements.
Pros
+ Overhauled graphics
+ Remixed music is nice
+ Re-balanced fighting mechanics
+ No lag during online gameplay
+ Dip Switch system for the hardcore as been added
Cons
- Frustrating overpowered A.I at times
- Not much people playing it online anymore
- No trueskill matchmaking
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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