I wrote about VF5. On Gamesradar this time!

http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps3/game/pr...;sectionId=1001

A few additional observations to add, since I had a text/content limitation for this piece:

- Yes, the game crashed. Constantly. Like, if you went to play it, you had about a 50% chance of it being down. I'm told the TGS version didn't have these problems. A few others "in the biz" speculated that the TGS version was probably running on development hardware rather than a retail/test system.

- Only Arcade Mode and Versus were available from the menu. The menu and graphical interface is very similar to that of VF4 Evo on PS2, only with a visual overhaul. Movies and images of gameplay play on the right side of the screen.

- All characters and backgrounds are in the game. Voices are the same as we've heard from arcade clips.

- FUCKING PADS FUCK FUCK FUCK my hand hurt like HELL after only a few rounds from being so cramped on the buttons.

Anyhow, it's a shame the game was so unstable in this form, mainly because a lot of other press people didn't get the chance to play it. I was challenged to a would-have-been-legendary duel against Shane and Luke from 1UP that never came to fruition simply because we were never together when the game was up and running. /versus/images/graemlins/frown.gif We'll have another opportunity, though. Someday soon...

 

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Zero-chan said:

I'm told the TGS version didn't have these problems. A few others "in the biz" speculated that the TGS version was probably running on development hardware rather than a retail/test system.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, just look at the pics and such.

They're all on retail systems (although...they probably installed the game on the HDD to speed up load times). From what I hear, the TGS version...

Arcade Perfect...

Anyways, what version did you play? E3 06?

 

[ QUOTE ]
Poppa said:

[ QUOTE ]
Zero-chan said:

I'm told the TGS version didn't have these problems. A few others "in the biz" speculated that the TGS version was probably running on development hardware rather than a retail/test system.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, just look at the pics and such.

They're all on retail systems (although...they probably installed the game on the HDD to speed up load times).

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's a super industry secret: SONY IS VERY GOOD AT FAKING THINGS RUNNING ON THEIR SYSTEMS!

I remember the first year they showed PSP games at E3... they were running off of development workstations connected to PSP hardware. Of course, these workstations were supposed to be hidden, but were pretty obvious to all but the most devout PS fanboys..

And you've still got the tards who think the E3 '05 PS3 Killzone demo footage wasn't pre-rendered. /versus/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

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Anyways, what version did you play? E3 06?

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you even read the article?

 

Hhmmm, the article is much more positive than your notes above...

They'll manage to iron out the crashing bit won't they?

And I'm not too surprised they weren't showing anything beyond arcade and vs mode.

Oh, and on the side, it is possible to play the game without a hitch on a pad. But then, I haven't had a stick in my hand in ten years, so my perspective differs ever so slightly... ^_^

What I'm wondering about lately is where the competition is hanging out (mainly staring at Tekken here).

 

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They'll manage to iron out the crashing bit won't they?

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The game isn't finished yet plus it's running on test units. Spring = 5 or so months until release. They've still much time left.

 

Why is this a problem every game in development crashes big frigging deal...

It's not a problem...

 

[ QUOTE ]
Zero-chan said:

Here's a super industry secret: SONY IS VERY GOOD AT FAKING THINGS RUNNING ON THEIR SYSTEMS!

I remember the first year they showed PSP games at E3... they were running off of development workstations connected to PSP hardware. Of course, these workstations were supposed to be hidden, but were pretty obvious to all but the most devout PS fanboys..

And you've still got the tards who think the E3 '05 PS3 Killzone demo footage wasn't pre-rendered. /versus/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't know about Sony doing that.

Lol, you serious about the killzone thing?

/versus/images/graemlins/lol.gif

I'm surprised so many people thought it wasn't pre-rendered when it was first shown.

[ QUOTE ]
Did you even read the article?

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, no, not really... /versus/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I just skimmed through it real quick this morning (I was in a rush). So sorry about that.

Here's some comments I have on the article:

The game even caught on with US PS2 gamers - going Greatest Hits last time around.

Didn't it go greatest hits because of some Sony policy...

Something like expansion packs of currently released games becomes a greatest hit right away when released...

Wasn't that the case with DMC3?

We're talking realistic skin, textured fabric, individually flowing strands of hair...

From the vids I've seen (on youtube and such), the characters look ...plastic-y (I'm talking about the skin here). I read in an interview with one of the producers that they wanted the plastic look to help players differentiate the characters from the backgrounds.

Do you agree with Sega's decision to go the more plastic route? Do you find it helps?

A domestic release of the specially-made PS3 Virtua Stick is also in consideration.

I REALLY hope this happens.

If you were to speculate, what would you assume the total price (game+stick) would come out to?

~the same as the Tekken 5 stick combo? Maybe less?

 

Too bad it was crashing but VF 5 is STILL awesome.

Next Time Sega shows it I hope they show those console modes gimme gimme gimme.

 

Hhhmmm, I meant the crashing bit more as an off-hand remark... As in "They'll fix that bit anyhow, won't they?" rhetorically...

the Greatest Hits release is probably not Sony policy, unless its just Sony of America you're talking about. But I don't think they're responsible for this, I can't imagine they were the publishers and its probably a decision made by the guys who distributed VF4 in the US. Then again, this is rather a moot point and I'm only guessing really.

note: The European VF4E came in a blue box with white sleeve for 50€... It soon dropped to 30€ because of not so storming sales, still making it about 1.8 times pricier than the American version. Not that I'm complaining, it was well worth the purchase of the PS2 itself...

 

Microtransactions in VF5? Man, I hope not.

 

One of your worst VF5 related articles EVAH