One for the Gamers: Tekken Takes the Crown

It's been a long time since I've had a good debate to resolve, but I finally got to solve one recently. In the gaming world for a while, there was a debate as to which 3D fighter was better: Tekken 5 or Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution. Well, I finally got to play both games the other day, and I must admit I've wrestled with the resolution for some time now. But as I was driving today I was finally able to solve the debate. Here is my reasoning (and yes, I'm making a big deal about video games; and you're still gonna sit here and read this, isn't it amazing? lol)

In order to resolve the debate, I realized that I would hafta introduce a third game to create a "full spectrum", as between the two games one important element is not prevalent enough to make the overall case for either. The missing game is Dead or Alive 4, and the missing element is graphics. SO, now the debate becomes which is the best game out of Tekken 5, Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution, and Dead or Alive 4.

It's really very simple to break this down. I'm going to word-associate each game to give a clear picture: Virtua Fighter=combat; Dead or Alive=graphics; Tekken=balance. If you were to ask me which game has the best fighting of the three, I would answer with Virtua Fighter. Virtua Fighter has over-the-top, yet realistic martial arts action. The moves are, though difficult to pull off and a lot to remember, very smooth, very effective, and very entertaining to watch with fairly realistic lag time. One thing I particularly like about Virtua Fighter is that the moves don't instantly knock the characters down or create many juggling opportunities, making it very close to realtime fighting.

Tekken's fighting system is a lot less exciting, though it's solid with very logical control, and when two fighters who truly know the game mix it up, it's VERY entertaining. The timing is also excellent; Tekken's fighting system majors in all the minors, but doesn't quite major in all the majors like Virtua fighter. The most unrealistic element of Tekken's fighting is the juggle-ability of characters.

Dead or Alive's fighting system makes for beautiful animation, but THAT'S IT. The lag time is unrealistic; the strikes land as if the characters are made of paper. And many of the moves are unrealistically powerful. Why? To make it easier to knock characters off of balconies and through windows. It's strictly a thrill ride, fabricated to be eye-candy. And on that note...

Dead or Alive has the most awesomest (<---made that up) graphics of all three easily. I'm not a fan of the game, but I play it just to see the endings and the collapseable stages. Not to mention the female eye-candy and all. And even though the moves look fake, they're entertaining to watch.

Tekken has smooth graphics, but they're not nearly as over-the-top as Dead or Alive. However, if you pay attention the graphics are stunningly detailed, instead of the bright colors and clear, blunt objects that give Dead or Alive an almost cartoony feel. The stages are drab, but very detailed and well rendered; the characters look great, but not very catchy.

Virtua Fighter is a disappointment graphically. Though it has its good points, the artists did a bad job at rendering the characters; the faces on some look almost tacked onto the heads. The stages look like they were made for the earlier Sega Saturn. Yet, the lack of graphics is almost admirable for a Sega fan who misses the original Virtua Fighter games.

So you notice, in beauty and fighting, VF and DOA each sit at extremities, being great in one area and poor in the other. But Tekken sits at just above average in both areas. Kinda reminds me of a particular Street Fighter of whom I'm very fond...

So this is my judgment on the great debate. The nominees are: Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution, Tekken 5, and Dead or Alive 4.

Best Combat in a 3-D Fighting Game - Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution
If you're looking for a fight, this game can keep you up all night. And it'll take you quite some time to master allll those moves.

Best Graphics in a 3-D Fighting Game - Dead or Alive 4
If it's eye candy you want, you'll suffer a weak, exaggerated fighting system just to see the stages collapse and the movies you can unlock as you beat the game. Not to mention... the women.

Best 3-D Fighting Game Overall - Tekken 5
The name of the game is balance. Tekken does not have the best combat, but it does have above average combat and great control. It doesn't have the most catchy graphics, but it has smooth, detailed renders and solid animation. It will not overwhelm you either way, but it will more than satisfy you in both beauty and fighting. Thus, Tekken is the best 3-D fighter because it is the most complete 3-D fighter.

Sometimes it pays to be reasonable instead of over the top. Balance wins the day.

Jesus PeaceB-J