Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O review
Fighting games have come a long way, and every gamer has had their fair share of experiences with them. Virtua Fighter is no stranger to the fighting game scene. Originally released in 1993 for the Sega Saturn, PC and arcade, AM2 did a fantastic job creating the world’s first 3D fighting game. As a pioneer in the genre, the Virtua Fighter engine paved the way for many other fighting games that followed. After four sequels, the franchise went silent for a long time—until the sudden shadow-drop announcement of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. A remaster of the 2006 title, this new release boasts 4k visuals, rollback netcode, and the same classic Virtua Fighter combat fans know and love.
The official release of the franchise on Steam is a significant moment, placing Virtua Fighter in direct competition with other modern fighting games. Staying true to its roots, every familiar character is showcased in the best possible way. The arcade mode retains a nostalgic old-school feel, reminiscent of slotting in a quarter and jumping into action— fighting your way through a series of opponents before facing an overpowered final boss with a broken move set.
For newcomers, jumping into training mode is the best way to learn its mechanics and familiarise themselves with each character’s playstyle. Beyond arcade and training mode, players take the fight online and face random strangers, thanks to rollback netcode, which enables smooth matches in tournaments, ranked battles, or private lobbies with friends. While matchmaking can take a little longer than expected, the quality of the online experience is rewarding, with minimal lag.
Staying true to its original 3D platform fighting gameplay, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. marks a strong return for the series, allowing it to compete with other 3D fighters. Button-mashing can be fun for beginners, but for more technical and competitive players, mastering the fundamentals—such as punishing opponents and executing precise sidesteps to force ring-outs—is key. The game’s simple two-button attack combo is easy to pick up but challenging to master, adding depth to the overall playstyle. However, mashing buttons won’t get you far, especially online, where skilled players can punish mistakes instantly.
One of the game’s biggest flaws is the lack of single-player content that was present in the original version. Customisation features have been stripped away and locked behind monetisation, requiring players to spend extra money to access them.
That said, the game runs exceptionally well as a PC port, performing smoothly even on low- to mid-tier hardware. A constant 60fps is a welcome touch, ensuring a polished experience. As fans brace for the next Virtua Fighter reboot from RGG Studio, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. will do for now to satisfy the craving for a good 3D fighting game.
