Ultra Street Fighter® IV

About

The world’s greatest fighting game evolves to a whole new level with Ultra Street Fighter IV. Continuing the tradition of excellence the series is known for, five new characters and six new stages have been added for even more fighting mayhem, with rebalanced gameplay and original modes topping off this ultimate offering.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

+27

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,422 reviews

gameplay214 positive mentions

stability38 negative mentions

gameplay
608 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The gameplay of Ultra Street Fighter IV is widely praised for its depth and complexity, featuring a robust roster of 44 characters and refined mechanics that cater to both casual and competitive players. While the game has a steep learning curve, it offers various modes and tutorials to help newcomers, making it accessible despite its challenging nature. Overall, the gameplay is described as smooth, strategic, and engaging, with a perfect blend of classic and modern elements that keeps players invested.
- “Ultra Street Fighter IV stands as a masterclass in fighting game design, elevating the beloved franchise to new heights with its comprehensive improvements and refined mechanics.”
- “The mechanics are a delicate dance of strategy and skill, offering a level of depth that keeps players coming back for more.”
- “Whether executing a perfectly timed combo or countering an opponent's move with precision, the gameplay is a thrilling test of reflexes and strategy.”
- “The gameplay itself is boring.”
- “The only person I could recommend this to would be the casual gamer because this simply does not deliver what it promises for it is simply not a worthy successor to the excellent Street Fighter III, and you cannot recommend this as an entry-level game for this will get new players accustomed to the slow gameplay, meaning that if they were to try any other fighting game, the speed would be too fast for them to comprehend.”
- “The gameplay, while it has its faults and is frustrating at times for newer players trying to adjust to combos and FADCs, the gameplay doesn't cripple experienced players or force them to be on an even playing field like SFV desperately tries to do.”
graphics
476 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
41%
3%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant art style, detailed character designs, and dynamic visuals that effectively blend 3D elements with a nostalgic 2D aesthetic. Many reviewers note that the visuals have aged well, maintaining a high standard even years after release, although some express mixed feelings about the art style, describing it as cartoonish or outdated compared to newer titles. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, enhancing both the gameplay experience and the competitive atmosphere.
- “Visually, the game maintains the stunning art style that fans love, featuring vibrant character designs and beautifully rendered stages.”
- “The vivid, dynamic visuals breathe life into the characters, each frame a work of art that tells a story of passion and dedication.”
- “Great graphics that hold up even to today's standards, an awesome soundtrack, smooth gameplay and plenty of offline and online features make usfiv entirely worth it.”
- “Graphics aren't anything to write home about either.”
- “This game is soulless and I hate the art style.”
- “To make matters worse, there's some kind of ink-drawings aesthetic going on, which clashes awfully with the low-poly models and just makes the whole thing look messy.”
story
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
71%
13%
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it primarily consists of character-specific arcade modes featuring minimal narrative content. While some appreciate the vibrant visuals and character backstories presented in cutscenes, others criticize the overall simplicity and lack of a comprehensive story mode, deeming it insufficient for players seeking a rich single-player experience. Overall, the consensus is that while the game excels in gameplay and character variety, its story is secondary and often feels rushed or underdeveloped.
- “The game has a story mode that results in each character battling a predetermined rival for their story, and eventually fighting the game's main antagonist, Seth, in a final climactic battle in his lair which then leads to a final cutscene for each character upon victory.”
- “The vivid, dynamic visuals breathe life into the characters, each frame a work of art that tells a story of passion and dedication.”
- “There are a ton of characters to play and each has a small story in arcade mode.”
- “Story mode is nonexistent.”
- “Only drawback to this game is the lack of combat modes & some kind of a story mode.”
- “If you would buy the game for the story mode I think you will be left disappointed as well.”
music
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
39%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging and diverse soundtrack, with many players highlighting the character themes and stage music as standout elements. While some reviews note a lack of casual content and occasional repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly enhances the gameplay experience, making it a nostalgic and enjoyable aspect of the game. However, a few critiques mention that certain tracks may not resonate with all players, indicating a mix of opinions on specific pieces.
- “The iconic sound effects, the adrenaline-pumping music, and the character voiceovers combine seamlessly to create an immersive world that draws players into the heart of the battle.”
- “Without a doubt one of the best fighting games ever made, the soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission!”
- “Beautiful soundtrack, sound effects during fights, and add-on content with crazy costumes for characters gives you personality during your fight.”
- “My minor grievances with this game are that the graphics are quite cartoony, the characters are excessively 'roided up, and the music is rather mediocre.”
- “One of the weaknesses is the lack of a lot of music for the fights.”
- “The music was atrocious.”
optimization
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
57%
13%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on a wide range of systems, including older PCs, while others criticize significant performance issues such as stuttering, reduced frame rates, and lag during online play. The introduction of new DRM has been particularly contentious, as it reportedly hinders modding capabilities and further degrades performance. Overall, while some aspects of the game are well-optimized, many users express frustration with the current state of its performance, especially in online scenarios.
- “It is as optimized as it can get!”
- “Another plus is how well optimized this game is, meaning that a potato PC like I am using can play this game at high graphics with a good framerate, with some things like motion blur turned down.”
- “Capcom's black magic is at work here and this game will run smoothly on a huge variety of systems.”
- “Capcom has decided to begin rolling out new DRM called Enigma that prevents mods as well as drops performance of all games.”
- “The framerate is super choppy, and even though the game seems to play at the correct speed (benchmark says everything is perfect), the whole game keeps stuttering all the time.”
- “General sluggishness and lack of responsiveness during online games (often feels like you're playing with a half second delay on anything you do, plus inputs are randomly dropped), and network connection rating icons that don't display accurate information.”
stability
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
73%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant glitches, freezing issues, and matchmaking problems, particularly in online play. While many users note that the game runs well on various hardware and has improved since earlier versions, persistent bugs and lag during matches detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the gameplay is enjoyable, the stability issues, especially in multiplayer, have led some players to hesitate in recommending the game.
- “Fun game, runs great on any hardware from the past 10 years.”
- “Runs great on PC, multiplayer is free, it's still one of the absolute best fighting games ever made.”
- “Runs great, doesn't require too much, and goes on sale for a reasonable price.”
- “Just when the game opens, it freezes on startup and I have to change my properties for the application and reinstall OneDrive.”
- “And not only is there in-game lag, the game suffers from constant momentary hangs while searching for ranked matches (i.e. the game freezes while trying to show the ping rating of available games).”
- “The game itself is well-designed, maybe a bit buggy overall, but it is a good entry to the Street Fighter series and tons of fun. Ultimately, I decide against recommending this game, since the online multiplayer is a major selling point, not only for me but for most people, and since it does not work as intended, I will refrain from telling anyone to buy it.”
replayability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
7%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, highlighted by a diverse roster of characters and various gameplay modes that encourage long-term engagement. Players appreciate the deep combo system and the nostalgic elements that enhance the experience, particularly in online multiplayer, which offers hours of challenging gameplay. Overall, the combination of character variety, smooth mechanics, and engaging online features makes it a highly replayable title.
- “Definitely a good, replayable purchase even without a sale event.”
- “Hours of replayability and a high level skillset absolutely keep you entertained for hours on end, and the real fun begins in multiplayer.”
- “Add in the great nostalgia effect for those who loved the earlier SF2 games (similar music, plenty of familiar characters and play styles) and this is a winning title with unlimited replayability due to smooth online matchups and additional multiplayer modes to keep you hooked.”
- “Its worth it, the game replay value is really worth it, the rank and online play not really worth it.”
- “Sure, the singleplayer and practice mode and all the other features are playable, but why buy a game and have it where you're unable to get the most important aspect out of it?”
- “Most of them are playable, but at one point during the match, it's almost guaranteed to freeze or slow down, just for a moment or two.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with characters like Blanka and Dan eliciting laughter through their quirky antics and exaggerated moves. Players enjoy the comedic elements of gameplay, such as absurd situations and character interactions, which enhance the overall fun. However, some characters, like Rufus and El Fuerte, are viewed as unnecessary, detracting from the humor for certain players.
- “Then my hapless screaming guy was settled into a spinning and self-perpetuating orbit cycling around and around the demon's greasy, sweaty torso, where I continued to spin until I was launched across the stage, where I was then shortly and unceremoniously knocked out and then taunted by this laughing creature.”
- “Capcom's ever-so-good sense of humor applies.”
- “Colors pop, backgrounds look amazing and have loads of funny and interesting characters in them, and every character has several different DLC costumes you can buy if you so choose.”
character development
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
25%
5%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its vibrant and diverse character designs, which are praised for their creativity and appeal, encouraging players to explore different characters. The art style is consistently described as stunning, with a focus on body positivity and unique aesthetics that stand out compared to previous titles. However, some critiques mention that certain character designs may not resonate with all players, indicating a mixed reception in this aspect.
- “A true fighting game with a ton of content and fantastic character design.”
- “Great character designs which make you want to try new characters.”
- “With awesome character designs, combo cinematics and flourishes, solid netcode for online matches, and more game modes and features most people would care for, 'USF4' is definitely worth checking out.”
- “Character designs are really ugly, the new 'ultra' mechanics are trash and shouldn't be here, still, good game.”
monetization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing a desire for more microtransactions, while others appreciate the absence of intrusive ads and excessive in-game purchases. Overall, the game is praised for its solid gameplay and the availability of numerous characters without the burden of ads, although concerns about potential future monetization strategies remain.
- “Not many microtransactions to speak of and solid gameplay.”
- “Costumes you have over 40 playable characters, no ads, and I feel a much better system that rewards more experienced players.”
- “I hope they add some microtransactions to SFIV in a patch, but it's looking increasingly unlikely.”
- “Sfv is unbearable with the microtransactions.”
- “Now they're actually putting in-game ads on the characters.”
- “Advertising that isn't in the game is illegal in some countries, but Capcom just doesn't care.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort without rewarding satisfaction. The repetitive nature of grinding, akin to that in MMOs, detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially in a fighting game context where skill development feels stunted. Additionally, the dwindling player base exacerbates the grind, making it feel even more tedious.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The problem is in a fighting game, being hopeful and mashing buttons just does not bring results (think of grinding in MMOs).”
- “An amount of money you won't see giving you the joy you're looking for, because they break quite easily and, again, to get good you'll be grinding several of these.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game elicits strong emotional responses, often leading players to tears, particularly during challenging moments like boss fights. While it can be a deeply moving experience, it may not be suitable for those who are easily frustrated or prone to rage quitting. Overall, it is celebrated for its ability to evoke profound feelings through its gameplay.
- “This game makes me want to cry.”
- “Die-hard fight game that elicits an emotional response as what can only be described as the purest form of dance known to man.”
- “11/10 would cry against Bison in Juri arcade.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by an immersive sound design that enhances the excitement of the action, with elements like the roar of the crowd and the clash of fists creating a vibrant experience. However, some players find the overall atmosphere lacking, describing it as boring and cartoonish, which detracts from their enjoyment.
- “The roar of the crowd, the clash of fists, every sonic element contributes to the game's unparalleled atmosphere.”
- “It's no fun, and I don't like its boring, cartoonish atmosphere.”