Capcom's history with crossover fighting games has been a roller-coaster of partnerships and unreciprocated collaborations. Characters and mechanics from a variety of universes have clashed, but not all these meetings have been balanced or successful.
The SNK vs. Capcom series stands out amid Capcom's varied crossover ventures, initially launched by SNK with "SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash," a card game for the NEO GEO Pocket Color. This eventually led to "SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium," another NEO GEO Pocket title, but in the format of a fighting game. While these were capable games, another more substantial fighting game was anticipated under the SNK vs. Capcom banner.
Capcom responded in 2000 and 2001 with "Capcom vs SNK: Millennium Fight 2000" and "Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001." These games were celebrated for blending characters and mechanics from both universes into a cohesive and exciting game, utilizing innovative Groove and Ratio systems. These features were instrumental in crafting what many consider some of the pinnacle titles in fighting game history.
Then came "SNK vs Capcom: SVC Chaos," which unfortunately did not live up to the high bar set by its predecessors. Released as an SNK-developed entity, it lacked the refined amalgamation of personality and gameplay that made the Capcom versions so engaging. This title felt more like a diluted "King of Fighters 2002" featuring Capcom characters, which was a deviation from the energetic synergy expected in such a crossover.
One of the critical areas where "SVC Chaos" fell short was its roster. While previous games featured a diverse cast, "SVC Chaos" primarily included characters from "Street Fighter 2," missing out on the opportunity to introduce more varied and less predictable characters. The game did introduce some novel fighters in its hidden roster, which could be easily accessed in this PS4 port, but this was a small consolation.
The secret characters included intriguing choices like Zero from "Mega Man Zero," Demitri from "Darkstalkers," and the bizarrely engaging Red Arremer from "Ghosts 'n Goblins." Despite the creativity of hidden characters, they introduced another significant problem: balance issues. Characters like Zero and Violent Ken could dominate battles with overpowering abilities, disrupting the competitive balance that is vital for fighting games.
Combat mechanics and balance aside, "SVC Chaos" deserves praise for its sprite work. Unlike Capcom titles that often reused older sprites, SNK provided fresh, stunning visuals for the characters. The detail and care in the visual presentation, particularly with larger sprites like those of Earthquake and Demitri, were commendable. These visuals added a unique aesthetic flair that at least visually set "SVC Chaos" apart from its predecessors.
On the platform-specific front, the PS4 port of "SVC Chaos" does little beyond offering a direct arcade game experience. It lacks modern conveniences like a comprehensive training mode, matchup-specific practice configurations, and advanced gallery options. It has online play features, which are reasonably functional but not as finely tuned as those in other contemporary fighting games, reflecting a missed opportunity to modernize the game fully for today's online-driven gaming landscape.
Despite its beautiful art and intriguing character roster additions, "SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos" for PS4 doesn't entirely fulfill the legacy of its franchise or capitalize on the potential of its platform. While it serves as a nostalgic artifact for fans of the series, it falls short of delivering a competitive, balanced, and complete fighting game experience expected in the modern gaming era.
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