Street Fighter V joins the Games Lacking Content Club

28 February 2016

Last week saw the release of Street Fighter V. An eagerly anticipated fighting game for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a beat-em-up on a 2D plane. I generally don't fall into either category however the game has reignited the debate on what content should be shipped with a full priced retail title. Previously this has largely focused on first person shooters lacking content, but this shows an expanding trend with the fighting genre well and truly joining the party.

Every fighting game that comes to mind has launched with at least a story mode and arcade mode - both being modes where you play against computer controlled opponents. The story mode is usually a short and sweet affair but introduces the characters and contains cool cutscenes. An arcade mode nearly always contains increasingly difficult challenges to raise your skills further, and potentially prepare yourself for competitive online play. This was exactly the case with Injustice: Gods Among Us, the DC Comics based fighting game, which I surprisingly thoroughly enjoyed.

Therefore it seems completely bizarre that Street Fighter V has launched without any proper story mode or arcade mode. There is a brief story prologue for each character and a survival mode, but the clear focus of the game is online multiplayer. This becomes a major drawback for anyone only looking to play single player matches. Developer Capcom have said that challenges are coming via an update in March, but this strongly prompts the question, is the game really worth the typical £50 price point at launch? No matter how good the online multiplayer is (which apparently is very good), shouldn't the price be lowered as so much fundamental content gamers have come to expect is missing?

If a game is multiplayer only, with updates adding content, one could argue why the subscription model isn't being used i.e. a free game to jump in with ongoing monthly payments. Street Fighter V is not the best example to adopt this approach but it's obvious this game has launched at full retail price when the feature set of the game is not ready.

Here are the views of two genuine Street Fighter fans from IGN's review who share their annoyance a little stronger...

zcess81

8/10 for this unfinished beta game? It's because of reviews like these that developers simply don't care about gamers anymore. How can you have a fighting game without an arcade mode? That's just unheard of. 


Not everyone is a professional e-sports gamer; some of us just want to relax after work for an hour and play against a computer...I don't have 100 of hours to practice. So, unless you enjoy getting your ass kicked online someone who lives and breathes Street Fighter, avoid this game like the plague.

Newellz

Don't get me wrong, I love Steet Fighter, LOVE it, and SFV plays damn well, but this is not a finished game by any means; it feels like an early release. Capcom only finished the mechanics of the game to release it in time for all the pro tournaments and it's obvious. Despite the single player coming this June, I've now read that Capcom is "considering" an Arcade mode...Really? "Considering?" GTFO with that BS Capcom, and just finish the damn game. This is the most barebones fighter I have ever played and the rest of the content better be as stellar as the gameplay, as I'm pretty disappointed with what they have released at full price...I mean c'mon; this is motherfucking Street Fighter.

Additionally to this, Street Fighter V has latched on to the 'always online' concept that we're seeing so many recent games adopt. When the connection is good, the game is excellent and at it's best. However whenever that connection drops, even for a second, the experience is ruined.

My good friend James illustrated this perfectly on Twitter.