Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.

It’s the best version of a legendary fighting experience, and even if it doesn’t check all the expected boxes of a modern fighting game package, it still kicks ass.

As was the case with the PS4 version of the game, your enjoyment of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is going to be dependent on what aspect of fighting games you enjoy the most. If you're more of a competitive online fighter, you'll appreciate the focus on that scene, but you will lament the lack of cross-play, as PC fighting game players tend to be a smaller community. Those who enjoy local versus play won't find any mechanical differences, while single-player fighting game enthusiasts will feel the sting the most since the game feels quite sparse in this area, but this is saved by the fact that the core fighting mechanics are so strong. As a stopgap measure to a completely new Virtua Fighter game, R.E.V.O. does a very good job in introducing PC players to the series and keeping them sharp in preparation for the new game's arrival.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. not only expands the reach of Sega's iconic franchise, but also attempts to present the definitive experience for the online competitive scene, despite stumbling in matchmaking.

The Virtua Fighter series returns to PC after 28 years, bringing its signature intuitive mechanics seamlessly adapted for keyboard controls. Even with excellent 4K support and optimization, it feels like a solid revival. However, the lackluster single-player content and unstable rollback netcode, struggling with severe ping issues, show that it still needs some fine-tuning.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is an outstanding update to a classic of the genre.With significant improvements to graphics, netcode, and character customization, it delivers a fighting experience that remains thoroughly enjoyable, as long as you're willing to embrace its old-school gameplay. While the story is hardly a highlight (as is the case of the majority of fighting games), the deep and demanding combat system more than makes up for it. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is a must-have in the modern fighting game landscape.