Overall the experience is quite nice. Just a few things of note since the release of the game:
Post round movement
I loved the ability to extend a combo or land that one final blow after the round ended in 3S. They removed this from SFIV due to something with the way the game was programmed. We have not been given a legitimate reason(to my knowledge) as to why this doesn’t exist in SFV.
Offline game modes being tied to online
Every time the server has a hiccup it kicks me out of whatever I’m doing…whether it be training mode, survival or versus the game boots me back to the main menu. My friend and I were dumbfounded when we were playing versus mode and got kicked out of our intense match more than once! This is just bad design and should be changed. Versus mode should remain offline!
Frame rate
Frame rate is inconsistent on both PC and PS4 versions of the game. Some stages are particularly bad and it’s clear the game has not been optimized correctly. This is of paramount concern and needs to addressed immediately. With no arcade version of the game, the PC/PS4 versions serve as the definitive versions of the game. If Capcom really wants to push the whole E-Sports agenda then they need correct these problems ASAP.
No arcade mode
No final boss? No bonus stages? Criminal. 'Nuff said!
Colour unlock tied to Survival mode
Bullshit grindfest to make-up for lack of legit unlocks and game modes. Change this Capcom!
Clipping and graphical inconsistencies
Damn near everything clips in this game, so much so it’s distracting as hell. Not too mention some of the low-res sprites in the backgrounds need some definite TLC. The Shadaloo Base might be the worst stage, as perspective is totally fucked and the figures in the front are scaled incorrectly when compared to the fighters. Capcom set the bar with SFA, VS, and SF3 stages, now they seem intent on lowering it. Not too mention some character textures are better than others, some consistency would be nice.
Removal of close(proximity) normals
I’m a little perplexed as to why close normals were never included for the release of SFV. When did this become an element of concern? In my entire history following SF, I’ve never heard anyone complain about the addition of close normals or complain about getting a close normal by accident (which to my knowledge was pretty rare and never overlapped as long as you understood normal ranges and basic footsies). As a result many of our standard normals feel stubby and the command variations don’t add much to the variety. I can live with out them but I would like like to see them return at some point as it feels like a huge step back from SFIII and even SFIV in that regard. More normal options allows for more diversity in the long run and I hope they return.
More options…
Things such as day/night versions of the stages and music selection would be nice. If this game is not a glorified port of a pre-existing arcade version then stop treating it as such, give players options!
