Street Fighter V

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Street Fighter V vary significantly. Some positive aspects highlighted include Forbes' mention of the story being in line with the series' history, featuring both light-hearted and darker elements. Additionally, God is a Geek appreciates how the story mode serves as a prologue to the cinematic story expansion, providing a quick introduction to the characters. Moreover, High-Def Digest notes that while the character story mode may lack depth, Survival mode offers more challenge and content. On the negative side, several critics express disappointment with the story mode of Street Fighter V. Attack of the Fanboy, Digitally Downloaded, and Softpedia criticize the lack of depth and variety in the story mode, with Digitally Downloaded specifically mentioning extremely short backstories that lack challenge and variety. PlayStation Universe and Post Arcade (National Post) highlight issues with cringy writing, bad voice acting, incomprehensible plot, nonsensical editing, and idiotic dialogue in the story mode. The limited single-player options and lackluster nature of the story mode are also criticized by LevelUp and Brash Games, respectively. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Story of Street Fighter V falls short of expectations. While some appreciate certain elements like the mix of light-hearted and darker elements in the story and its role as a prologue to future expansions, the majority of critics find the story mode lacking in depth, substance, and overall satisfaction. The brevity of the character stories, lack of challenge, poor voice acting, and nonsensical plotlines contribute to a general feeling of disappointment among reviewers. Despite the potential for improvement with future updates, the current state of the story mode leaves much to be desired for solo players, as highlighted by GamingTrend's mention of it being a shallow substitute for arcade mode.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Street Fighter V, highlighting its positive aspects. Many critics commended the introduction of new mechanics such as V-Skills, V-Triggers, and V-Reversals, which added depth and variety to the combat system. Worth Playing noted that the game introduces new mechanics and tweaks to make it more inviting for new players while still allowing veterans to excel, emphasizing the variety of meter systems to enhance gameplay. GameSpot also mentioned that the new mechanics added depth and variety to each character's fighting style, making battles engaging and strategic. Additionally, GameWatcher described the gameplay mechanics as one of the best in the genre, possibly the best in the series, praising its tight and balanced 2D-plane gameplay with new techniques like V-Skills and V-Reversals. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain negatives regarding the gameplay of Street Fighter V. Slant Magazine criticized the V-Trigger mechanic for potentially making the game less about countering offense with defense, altering the core dynamics of gameplay. GameStar highlighted the lack of single-player content, such as the absence of an Arcade mode and limited Story mode, which could potentially impact the overall experience for players seeking a more robust solo gameplay experience. These criticisms suggest that while the gameplay mechanics were generally well-received, there were some aspects that could be improved or might not appeal to all players. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Street Fighter V. Critics such as GameCrate and The Games Machine praised the solid mechanics and well-balanced learning curve, making the game accessible for both newcomers and experienced players. Additionally, GamingTrend referred to Street Fighter V as a masterclass in fighting mechanics, highlighting the depth and balance present in the gameplay. The introduction of new elements like V-Skills, V-Triggers, and V-Reversals was widely appreciated for adding complexity and strategic depth to the combat system. Despite some minor criticisms, the general sentiment is that Street Fighter V offers a highly refined and addictive gameplay experience that caters to a wide range of players, from casual enthusiasts to professional fighters.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Street Fighter V are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the stunning visuals, detailed character designs, and vibrant colors present in the game. Attack of the Fanboy commended the meticulously detailed character designs and seamless graphics on Unreal Engine 4, while GameStar highlighted the mix of old favorites and new character additions with diverse move sets catering to different playstyles. The visuals were also lauded for their crispness, modern look, and improved aesthetics, as mentioned by Digital Chumps and Digitally Downloaded. The use of Unreal Engine 4 was particularly noted for enhancing the overall visual experience, with Worth Playing mentioning improved particle effects due to the engine upgrade. On the flip side, some critics did point out certain drawbacks in the Graphics and Visual Design of Street Fighter V. Slant Magazine criticized the game for lacking the humor and exaggerated qualities of its predecessor, while The Games Machine mentioned that some backgrounds lacked charisma. Additionally, Forbes highlighted a stylistic shift between in-game art and story cutscenes that was deemed jarring, and Arcade Sushi pointed out a glitch with breast physics that detracted from the overall visual experience. These criticisms indicate that while the game excels in many visual aspects, there are still areas where improvements could be made to enhance the overall presentation. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Street Fighter V delivers a visually appealing experience with stunning animations, detailed character designs, and smooth movements. The game's transition to Unreal Engine 4 was widely praised for elevating the graphics to a new level of detail and realism, as noted by God is a Geek and Wccftech. Despite some minor issues like background charisma and stylistic inconsistencies, the majority of critics appreciated the visual improvements from its predecessor and the overall aesthetic appeal of the game. The attention to detail in character animations, vibrant colors, and diverse character designs were highlighted as key strengths, making Street Fighter V a visually impressive title that sets a new standard for the series in terms of graphics and visual design.

The Sound Design and Music of Street Fighter V received a mix of positive feedback from critics. Reviewers like Softpedia, Worth Playing, Arcade Sushi, COGconnected, Impulsegamer, and Wccftech praised the game's music, highlighting the blend of classic Street Fighter tunes with new compositions. Softpedia appreciated the soundtrack's balance between old and new, while Arcade Sushi commended the powerful rhythms and stirring new pieces. COGconnected specifically mentioned the incredible music that enhances the overall experience, incorporating classical scores with electronic and dubstep elements. Impulsegamer also noted the catchiness of the music and the appropriate combat sounds. On the other hand, some critics expressed negative opinions about the Sound Design and Music of Street Fighter V. CGMagazine criticized the poor voice acting and overall lackluster sound design. Gamers' Temple mentioned that character voices were a mixed bag, with some being mediocre or appalling, impacting the immersion in the game negatively. PlayStation Universe highlighted the abyssal voice acting that negatively affected the overall experience. High-Def Digest pointed out that while the music and fighting sounds were top-notch, the voice acting could be grating. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards the positive side regarding the Sound Design and Music of Street Fighter V. The game's soundtrack, as praised by critics like Worth Playing and Wccftech, successfully blends classic and new tracks to enhance the gameplay experience. Additionally, the sound design, as noted by reviewers such as The Daily Dot and GamingTrend, adds depth to the game's immersive world. While there were criticisms about the voice acting from some critics, the majority of reviewers appreciated the effort put into the music and sound effects, ultimately contributing positively to the overall reception of Street Fighter V's audio elements.

The opinions on the voice acting in Street Fighter V are quite varied among the critics. Softpedia and Post Arcade praise the voice acting, with Softpedia commending it for respecting established characters and delivering good performances for new protagonists. Post Arcade notes that characters are fully voice acted, indicating a positive aspect of the game. Additionally, Arcade Sushi appreciates the returning voice cast from Street Fighter IV, highlighting a sense of continuity that enhances the overall experience for players. On the other hand, several critics express negative views on the voice acting in Street Fighter V. Digital Chumps mentions subpar voice acting in the story mode vignettes, indicating a lack of quality in the performances. CGMagazine criticizes the voice acting as poor, while High-Def Digest finds it annoying, particularly in character intros. PlayStation Universe goes as far as describing the voice acting as ranging from abyss to excruciatingly bad, significantly impacting the overall experience of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the voice acting in Street Fighter V. While some reviewers like Softpedia and Post Arcade find the voice acting to be pretty good and fully voice acted, respectively, others such as CGMagazine, High-Def Digest, and PlayStation Universe are more critical, pointing out flaws in the performances that detract from the game's enjoyment. The varying opinions suggest that the quality of the voice acting in Street Fighter V may be subjective and dependent on individual preferences.

In terms of positives for the PC version of Street Fighter V, several critics highlighted smooth performance and stable frame rates. Game Debate praised the game for its smooth performance, stable frame rate, and minimal loading times. PC Gamer described the PC port as fine, indicating a satisfactory gaming experience on this platform. Additionally, The Daily Dot mentioned that the online play has been vastly improved with rollback netcode and stat tracking features, enhancing the overall multiplayer experience for PC players. On the flip side, the PC version of Street Fighter V faced several technical issues according to critics. Digital Chumps mentioned issues with online connectivity and the need to be connected to earn in-game currency, impacting the technical performance. Digitally Downloaded described the online aspect as finicky with server issues, disconnections, and inaccurate win/loss records. GameStar highlighted extreme server and connection issues at release, affecting the overall experience for PC players. These issues were further emphasized by Worth Playing, which noted problematic server issues at launch and a lack of variable control methods on PC. Overall, the consensus among critics for Street Fighter V's technical performance across all platforms leans towards a mixed reception. While some critics like GameSpot and Forbes acknowledged stability improvements in online multiplayer post-launch, occasional hiccups and connectivity issues were still reported. On the other hand, critics such as The Jimquisition and IBTimes UK pointed out significant problems like server crashes, missing features, and broken modes, impacting the game's overall performance and player experience. The varying opinions on technical performance indicate that while improvements have been made over time, there are still lingering issues that detract from the game's potential enjoyment, particularly in the online multiplayer aspect.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the potential replay value of Street Fighter V. Critics like God is a Geek and Metro GameCentral praised the diverse characters, online play options, and ongoing updates that promise to enhance the game's longevity. The ability to unlock content through gameplay, such as new characters and color variations, was also noted as a positive aspect by Wccftech. The engaging gameplay and competitive nature of the game were highlighted by GameSpot and Push Square as factors that contribute to its replayability. Additionally, the focus on mastering characters and the community spirit emphasized by Metro GameCentral were seen as strengths that could keep players invested in the long run. On the negative side, the lack of single-player content and modes was a common criticism among many reviewers. NZGamer, IGN Denmark, and Shacknews all pointed out the limited number of modes available at launch, with Survival mode being described as dull and frustrating. The absence of features like Challenge mode, Arcade mode, and proper Story mode was highlighted by critics like Yahoo! and Digital Spy as drawbacks that could impact the replay value for solo players. The incomplete state of the game, inconsistent servers, and potential grinding for DLC characters were also mentioned as factors that may deter some players, as noted by PlayStation Universe and Game Informer. Overall, the consensus among critics is that while Street Fighter V offers potential for replay value through its diverse characters, online play options, and ongoing updates, the lack of single-player content and modes at launch hinders its overall appeal. Critics like Gaming Nexus, Slant Magazine, and Game Over Online criticized the game for its incomplete state and lack of features that provide a full game experience. However, the promise of free updates and additional content in the future, as mentioned by Impulsegamer and COGconnected, leaves room for improvement and potential for increased replay value over time. Despite its current shortcomings, the engaging gameplay, competitive nature, and community-focused aspects of Street Fighter V have the potential to keep players invested in the long term, especially for those who enjoy online play and mastering the game's diverse roster of characters.