A few months back I was one of the few people in the industry to truly love Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO on the Gamecube. While the wimpy d-pad on the Cube almost ruined a perfectly perfect game; there was just enough thrill to make it a keeper in my collection. When I had the chance to play the XBOX version, I was more than stoked. The XBOX's d-pad is much more user friendly; and geared for more "developed" hands. After countless hours of "Shoryukens" and "Hadokens" and smoking opponents online; I'm about to knight this game as "Best 2-D fighter out dere".
GoOoOovey!
For any gamer who has been involved with the scene for any amount of time; we've come to expect great things from Capcom. 2D fighters have always been their "bread and butter" and the onslaught of Street Fighter games seems to come at least once a year. Sure EO is a bit gimmicky, but I've concluded that this may be one of their finest releases to date. EO combines all of the qualities that have made SF a legacy; yet has also broken their stereotypical mold. For years, SF and 2D fighters have always been dedicated simply for the purists and hardcore fighter-types. What makes EO unique is the different "grooves" available.
These grooves range from defensive, to offensive as well as combo-focused. But what really makes this a winner is the fact that in EO mode; all of the characters special moves are one touch away. While most experienced gamers will never use this function; it's nice to see how younger gamers can finally get on the Street Fighter boat that left 15 years ago. Being a dad of three, it's a blast to finally be able to play a 2D fighter with my kids. Instead of using them as a punching bag, I now have a bit of competition. Instead of using the numerous charge moves and half-circles; my son can flick the analog stick and unleash a brutal Tiger Uppercut.
Even if this feature sounds like Capcom is selling out; let's try to give the younger generation a break. As much as I love 3D fighters like the DOA series and even Soul Calibur; nothing quite beats an all out fury of the 2D fighting glory... old school style.
The most evident problem within 2D games has always been the controls, and it's even more evident in the Gamecube version. 2D fighters were born in the arcades and used six buttons. Your left hand was planted on the controller and your right was spread out on the six attack buttons. So the translation from arcade to console has always become an anathema. While I'll never fully accept a console controller as the standard; in time it has improved. Luckily, the XBOX has the best controller on the market for a 2D fighter, and Capcom vs. SNK EO is no exception. Controls are fluid and natural. Noting beats the good ole' stand-alone, but within a few hours you'll be half-circling your butt off.
For the handful of Street Fighter purists out there, I think most will be pleasantly surprised at the overall fluidity of the combinations and transitions. I noticed little hesitation when transitioning from move to move. For example: going from a dragon punch to spin kick was darn near flawless. I personally think that the original (Cap vs. SNK) on the Dreamcast was one of the best 2D fighters to date; this gives it a really good run for the money... If you have played any of the SF's for any amount of time, you'll notice very little change in the way of options. Everything from survival to training is still here, with one added bonus. EO comes packed with its own "color editor", which is seems to be a trend now in post-64 bit games. You can change the color of your character just about anyway you want to. This ranges from skin color to shoe color. Its great fun, unique and just a nice bonus Capcom through into the mix. Kudos.
Advantage-XBOX
When it comes to ports, the XBOX is hands-down the winner. Aside from graphics and sound (which is about the same across the board), what propels the XB version into stardom; has to be the online play. It seems as though you console elitists are finally catching up to what us PC gamers have known for years... playing online is just more fun.
For me, it all started with Quake (capture the flag) and I've been hooked since. Even after the whole FPS dies out, with the use of emulators (said with tongue in cheek) and MAME; online play is like crack. I had a blast playing Double Dragon, Street Fighter and Bad Dudes with people across the world... But with the XBOX Live! network, Microsoft has taken it a step further and did it well. Not only can you simply play online; the network logs your play and registers your statistics for all the world to see. You have the choice of playing within your "local" area, or take your skills across the borders and challenge someone across the world. I've only dreamed about this, and it still gives me chills just thinking about it.
The network play is without a doubt, just a brilliant bundle of goodness that can't fully be explained unless you take a stab at it. Don't get discouraged though, for playing online does take a bit of getting used to. Before I even played the single player, I jumped into the online venue and was humiliated within ours; and desecrated the good netjak name. So, I went back into single player and sharpened my skills and went back to work. There are some nice filters, which helps you a great deal in finding the right game that matches your skill level.
Unleashing the full power of the Box?
Nah. This is your classic 2D fighter. The graphics are crisp, colorful and clean. The backgrounds contrast nicely with the characters, and seem to keep pace perfectly with the balanced gameplay. Unfortunately, many people judge a game simply by the back of the box. If you are buying CvS:EO in hopes of it complimenting your copy of DOA, you are in for a rude awakening.
The sound, however, is quite the rock-solid development. All of the classic "oompfs" and twisted Japanese sounds are all here... The soundtrack is perfectly meshed with the progression of the game. While many of the soundtracks are simply remixes of classics, I expected nothing less. The overall sound is basically cookie-cut Capcom, so take it for what it's worth.
66 Says:
Even with the plethora of characters, I still tend to stick with good 'ole Ryu. Why am I telling you this? Simply because Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO is just a re-mastered version of an original classic. While it doesn't fully take the place of my Dreamcast version, the online aspects of EO just make this a great game. Without hesitation, I'll conclude that this is one of the best fighters on the current market (3D or 2D).
Renting this is obligatory, and purchasing should easily be considered. The lasting appeal of EO is unmatched. Whether you want a quick pick-up game for a few minutes or an entire night battling it out with others across the wires; EO is just a darn good game.
