The time has finally arrived; a true
Capcom fighting game has finally hit the GameCube. Capcom vs SNK 2 EO is a
combination of many years worth of fighting games, it is 2D gaming at its high
life. The game combines over forty-four different characters from Capcom and SNK
fighting universes and pits them against each other. With new fighting styles,
and a new "groove system" will this game be worth your time, or is it better to
wait for something else?
The Street Fighter series, has been around for a long time, had myriad of
updates, and improves upon each new game. Capcom has mastered the formula for 2D
fighting games, and it really shows. This new version combines the best of two
fighting games, SNK characters and Capcom characters in one area, for an all out
2D slugfest. This game is a 2D fighters dream with all the combos, supers, and
myriads of other things, these games are well known for. This game would be the
perfect game if it were not for one little problem, the GameCube controller.
When developing the GameCube controller, it is a wonder that the executives at
Nintendo did not realize that they created a monstrosity that is absolutely
horrible for playing fighting games! The D-pad is too small to do any real moves
with it. The buttons are really intrusive and hard to hit when you are in a
bind. The analog pad is not good enough to do the precise moves with. The other
hard buttons to hit are the top left and right shoulder pads. They are near to
impossible to use when in a tight situation. After playing for a while, gamers
will get accustom to it, but it still is not the same compared to other
controllers on the market.
To compensate for the poor controller design Capcom put a new fighting style to
be used with the controller called the GC-ism. This is a control scene for
players who do not know how to play fighting games. Players use the C stick to
make all the special moves, which makes the game extremely cheap. This simple
move totally over compensates for everything wrong with the controller, and
makes the game almost seem pointless.
The grove style brings a whole new level of gameplay, and greatly affects each
player’s styles. The different groves are: C, A, N, P, S, and K grooves. The
C-groove is super combo level gauge system. The characters gauge will build up
as players attack, and depending on the how high the levels are, the more super
combo’s players will perform. A-groove is the custom combo gauge system; it
builds up as players attack. Players can use a level 1 super combo by only
having 50% of the gauge full. With this system, players can perform custom
combos they made with ease. N-groove is the advanced power gauge system. When
the gauge is full, players can use one super special move. Once it is all the
way powered up, they can perform a MAX super move. The P-groove mode is the
super combo system; when the gauge is full, players can perform a level 3 super
move. S-groove is the groove gauge system. Holding the HP and HK buttons will
charge the groove gage. When it is maxed out, players can use many different
super moves. Finally the K-groove is the rage system. The gauge will fill up as
players attack or just defend the game. When it is maxed out, players can
perform a MAX super move.
The games graphics are extremely dated. But while playing the game I had to
remember that this game has been around since the early nineties. It has the
classic animation from Ryu’s mighty " Hadouken" to Ken’s "Shoryuken" and it
brings back loads of memories of playing these games with my friends, when I was
younger. The backgrounds used are very well integrated to bring back the
nostalgic feelings of these early fighters. With all the action going on in the
backgrounds, the characters movements, and all of the special effects going on,
the game does not show any slow down. This is a big plus for this type of game,
because timing is everything.
The game modes are Arcade, Survival, Training, Verses, Reply, and Color Edit
mode. Arcade is where one to two player fighting more. Fight against CPU players
to advance in the game story. Survival mode is a one-player mode, where players
fight hordes of enemies, seeing how long they can last. Training mode lets
players become familiar with the game, and practice super moves and create their
own combos. Verses mode is what the game is all about. It is where you and a
friend will fight it out to see who the best is! Reply mode will let players
watch replies of previous fights. Color Edit mode will let players modify
different characters colors, to their own preferences.
Capcom vs SNK 2 EO is rated T for Teen. It requires 9 Blocks on your memory card
and two players can play simultaneously.
Gameplay: 6.5
The GameCube controller is NOT a good controller to use for fighting games!
It has a horrible layout, and the D-pad is extremely too small to be practical.
The game offers a lot of extras, player modes, and many other things that will
keep players coming back for more if they can get around the controller issue.
Graphics: 7.0
The game is extremely dated in comparison to other fighters out on the
market. It is this factor that makes the game unique though, because Capcom
makes the best 2D fighting games around. There is not slow down either, which
makes it really nice in those extremely harsh situations.
Sound: 6.5
The sound used is just what one would expect in an arcade. It is over
exaggerated and it really fits with the whole game. When players make a
connection in the combos, the sound will get louder and more intense. It is used
really well, but it is a little out dated.
Difficulty: Easy
The computer AI is a little easy, but the GameCube controller is just not
made for fighting games. With that GC-ism controller scheme, it makes the game
entirely too easy, and takes the fun out of it.
Concept: 6.5
The game concept is a little old, and has that been there done that feeling
about it. It is always nice to have an old school fighting game in any gamers
collection though.
Multiplayer: 7.5
The game is more of a two player game
than anything else. It is a great multiplayer game that gamers will be playing
for sometime. Nothing is better than playing a fighting game with your friends!
Overall: 6.6
The game would have been extremely more enjoyable if it was not for the
GameCube controller. The controller will prove to be very frustrating and the
other configuration really cheapens the game! It is such a shame that the
controller really hampers a great game. I suggest this game only if you are a
hardcore 2D fighting gamer and you must own it for your gaming collection.
