Daddy's back and he's very angry.

Daddy's back, and he is very angry.

When the last "real" Street Fighter games came out over 10 years ago, it is safe to say that the characters had lost a) a large part of their appeal and 2) fan base they had in their heyday in the 90s. Street Fighter 3 3rd Strike not exactly make much of an impact, with Ken and the Ryo to join a bunch of misfits many people indifferent. It was beautiful, technical and an amazing animated fighter, but I simply can not find a cord with the masses. Had the fighting legend lost its way?

Following numerous attacks we can say with a resounding 'NO'. Street Fighter veterans will find the game knows - some would even say that it is too well known. The original cast of warriors is back: Ryun and Ken, Chun-Li and Blanka to Vega and Bison.

Their fighting style feels the same (at least with performance) meaning fans around the world will feel at home with reduced straight away, which makes the arcade stick add-on so much more crucial. Fortunately, there are some differences in place and each of these is a positive step in the right direction.

Newcomers who feel more confident in games like Soul Caliber 4 or Alive 4 Dead or need not be intimidated. Dragon-punching, spinning-bird kicking and performs the two-and three-hit combos are now much, much easier and less technical. For the first time in a 2D-based beat 'me up, your analog stick much more help than your D-pad. The timing to pull off special moves is more generous, which means that the barrier against more skilled opponents has been lowered.

It is no longer whether you can pull off moves, but rather whether you can use them useful or connect them to more complex combos. An example of this is the new focus attack. Corresponds to Tekken, you have the option to levy a heavy blow, while allowing you to absorb an attack. Exploiting the stun your opponent for a few seconds, leaving him vulnerable to any attack you want.

There is also a great match-leveler, so everyone takes a turn has to make a dramatic Britney Spears-like comeback. Lose enough health and your combo is enabled which allows you to perform a last second attack to bring yourself back into the match. Perhaps what makes Street Fighter 4, so unique is Capon takes 2D fighting template and making it relevant and exciting to gamers used for next-gem anesthesia. The animation in Street Fighter 4 is breathtaking to watch. Animations feel overweight, blows and kicks have a real influence, and each character is filled with personality.

When you take a hit, you can see the pain in their faces and their eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. Blanca looks unusually aggressive and less cartoon than before, while Chun-Li is more fluid and graceful than ever. Character is more balanced now. The time weaker characters Blanca, now has taken steps to address their weakness, which makes them much more worthy opponent than before.

Zingier, E Honda (360 if moves were hard to track for beginners) have also been strengthened, but they are naturally slower. The normal force versus velocity component is very obvious. With Capon balancing all characters and hones them to perfection, your choice of a character that you enjoy playing so much easier. If you choose Blanca in the past, your strategy has been to get as close to your opponent as possible. Should you fight someone like Dualism with his elastic arms and legs, it would have been over before you knew it. You can now select a character from the roster and be sure you have a chance against Ken-abusing scum.

New characters are: Abel, the Grapple, secret agent C. Viper, kung fu fighter Rufus, locator El Forte, Seth and Oaken boss, and a secret character. What strikes us is that these characters all mix so well with the old cast ... or rather, the old cast does not age. But what has changed is Capon’s vision of society. Guile was their take on Americans in the '80s - a strong, muscular and athletic soldier, while with Rufus they seem to suggest that Americans are all obese big-mouths, with streams of dialogue read by the end of each match (where other warriors finish it off with a little phrase.) It does add to the humor in the game however and essentially that the overall balance.

All these new characters and moves would be meaningless without human interaction. An offline versus mode is there for your one-on-one battle that you have had in the past, but it is the new online mode that will get you excited. First the bad news: only two players can go into the lobby at any given time. With that out the way the rest works very well. To find a stranger or a friend online but takes just seconds to connect, even if our dodgy Internet lines. Once you've fought your opponent you will be rewarded with Battle Points, used for anything other than bragging rights. The higher the score, the more fights have won. Battle Points may sound absurd, but you forget that it is our human nature to be competitive and as such you will cherish every point you earn online.

So we like it, and it is by no means an exaggeration to suggest that this is up there with the greatest fighters ever made. It is not just under-mashie like Soul Caliber, it does not require a huge 20-button command that Dead or Alive and instead focuses on what is important - simplicity, strategy and fun. Exactly what you need before you begin to master his aloof.