In 1993, Virtua Fighter set out to achieve the impossible—revolutionizing the fighting game genre forever. By introducing 3D movement and realistic combat mechanics, AM2’s ambitious project pushed the boundaries of what was possible in gaming. Its impact was undeniable, even influencing the creation of Tekken (as confirmed by Tekken Project Producer Katsuhiro Harada himself). Among the wave of 3D fighters that followed, Virtua Fighter stood out for its dedication to realism, competing with titles like Tecmo’s Dead or Alive, Fighting Vipers, and Last Bronx—especially during the 32-bit console era. With Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., SEGA is looking to bring back the pioneer of 3D fighting games, but how does it all pan out?
Game Name: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.
Platform(s): Steam
Publisher(s): SEGA
Developer(s): RGG Studio, AM2
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. builds upon the Ultimate Showdown update from 2022, where RGG Studio gave Final Showdown a fresh new look. The stages are more detailed than ever, and character models have been refined, enhancing the overall battle experience. R.E.V.O. takes things to the next level for its independent Steam debut, featuring 30th Anniversary battle titles—a special touch that longtime fans will appreciate. The phrase “New Virtua Fighter When?” already feels like it’s destined to become a fan favorite.
The musical score in Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is expansive, including not only the base game’s soundtrack but also tracks from every Virtua Fighter title, the Yakuza series, and even Tekken 7 in a special collaboration. The game also introduces UI customization options, allowing players to apply either a Virtua Fighter 1 or Tekken 7 skin for a personalized experience. While later Virtua Fighter entries feature additional tracks to fill in any gaps, the first two games rely on their Arranged versions to complete the lineup. For example, Virtua Fighter 3’s “Killer Mantis” is used for Lei-Fei’s stage, as he was introduced in Virtua Fighter 4 as a rival to Lau Chan, nearly killing him.
The Contenders Are Ready
All 19 combatants return, from the iconic man-on-the-box Akira to Taka-Arashi—the sumo wrestler omitted from Virtua Fighter 4 due to technical limitations. Each character retains their original 2-3 skins while also receiving special anniversary skins, a Yakuza-themed set, and, surprisingly, Tekken 7 crossover skins. The latter outfits characters in skins inspired by Tekken 7, making for a fun, if sometimes questionable, mix—like Lei-Fei donning Eddy Gordo’s signature look. While some choices stand out, others feel mismatched, but it’s a unique way to celebrate both franchises.
When it comes to combat, each fighter represents their respective martial art in a no-frills approach. There are no comeback mechanics like supers or projectiles (unless you count certain breath attacks). Each character’s move set is designed to counter high-level threats, offering a diverse range of playstyles. For example, Jacky Bryant embodies the Bruce Lee-inspired Jeet Kune Do, while Shun-Di’s Drunken Fist incorporates actual wine swigs that enhance his playstyle—only to be depleted under certain conditions.
Everything fans love is here. Pai Chan, despite being a striker, has as many throws as a grappler, making her a deadly Wushu practitioner. Lei-Fei’s complex fighting style features at least eight different stances, reinforcing his Shaolin monk mastery. As Wu-Tang said, “Keep a smart person guessing.” The arenas also play a crucial role in strategy, featuring variations like walls and ring-outs that add layers of depth to each match.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. seamlessly integrates Virtua Fighter 5 R‘s moves into the game—no need to activate EX characters or choose a specific mode. In the West, Virtua Fighter 5 skipped Virtua Fighter 5 R and went straight to Final Showdown, but R.E.V.O. now restores those missing moves, offering a fresh experience for longtime fans.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. introduces several modes to keep the gameplay engaging. Ranking Mode and Create A Lobby cater to both competitive and casual fights. At present, matchmaking is smooth, with quick wait times and responsive netcode. Ranking Mode offers a streamlined way to climb the ranks, while Arcade Mode delivers classic 3-round CPU battles, culminating in the showdown against Dural—the mysterious ninja-cyborg hybrid. As always, Dural remains a formidable challenge, wielding techniques borrowed from multiple fighters.
Tutorial Mode covers everything from basic commands to advanced mechanics like evasion and dash guarding. While Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution is still regarded as the gold standard for training in the series, there’s plenty to learn in Virtua Fighter 5: R.E.V.O. The fundamentals are well-explained, helping players grasp core mechanics quickly. Training Mode allows players to test which moves are safe to dodge or block, with detailed stats like frame data and damage output available for deeper analysis.
Lastly, the League Mode introduces tournament play, supporting up to 16 players in round-robin and league-style events. Every weekend, three online round-robin tournaments take place, matching players based on skill level for intense global competition.
The Ring Outs of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.
There are still a few kinks in Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. that need ironing out. Weekly Tournaments remain poorly timed for Western audiences, with schedules set at 1:00 AM EST on Sundays and 7:00 AM EST on Saturdays—far from ideal for many players. It’s unclear whether this is a support issue or a deliberate decision, but adding more accessible time slots would make a significant difference.
Another lingering issue is the replay functionality—Unlike Final Showdown, where players could browse and analyze matches from ranked mode, R.E.V.O. restricts replays to random selections on the menu screen. Given the advancements in modern fighting games, this omission feels like a misstep from RGG. Since Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is making a stronger push toward competitive play, this would have been the perfect opportunity to revive VFTV, integrating interviews, broadcasts, and deeper tournament coverage to further engage the community.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. feels like SEGA’s continued effort to bring the arcade experience home. However, expecting R.E.V.O. to offer more than that—especially for fans looking for deeper storytelling in fighting games—might lead to disappointment.
Much of Virtua Fighter’s lore is either implied or explored through outside media, and Arcade Mode does nothing to expand the narrative. If you’re wondering why these fighters are clashing across the world, you won’t find those answers here. Virtua Fighter has always prioritized pure gameplay over story, and R.E.V.O. is no different. Shenmue remains the closest thing to a narrative-driven experience from AM2, and R.E.V.O. doesn’t change that formula.
The Final Round of Virtua Fighter 5
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. stays true to AM2’s craftsmanship, delivering the smoothest experience possible while introducing a few welcome changes to the base game. At its core, R.E.V.O. remains an accessible fighter with no-frills mechanics, but mastering its deep technical aspects adds to the challenge.
While the improvements from 2022’s Ultimate Showdown are evident, some lingering nuances still need refinement. However, R.E.V.O. takes a significant step forward by bringing the series back to PC for the first time since Virtua Fighter 2’s 1997 port. Thanks to Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., both newcomers and longtime 3D fighting veterans can enjoy what’s in store for the future of the franchise—making the wait all the more exciting.
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Summary
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. keeps the AM2 crafted experience as smooth as it can possibly be while bringing in a few welcome changes to base game. With Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. being at its core a simpler game to get into in terms of no frill mechanics, there is the deeper need for understanding the technicality, which in turn intensifies the challenge. Despite all the improvements brought in from 2022’s Ultimate Showdown, some of the nuances are still lingering such as the weekly tournament. R.E.V.O. does bring new updates to the table in finding a way to bring the fighter back to PC since Virtua Fighter 2’s 1997 port. Thanks to Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., the world can see what’s instore for the series going forward and this makes the wait enjoyable for new and older players alike.
Pros
- Available in 4K resolution
- quick match turnarounds with not very much hiccups thanks to rollback netcode
- Anniversary and other items available such as the Tekken 7 collaboration skins
- 16 player tournament mode and League mode play
Cons
- Weekly Tournament mode timeslots are still inconvenient
- No Crossplay
- No Replay Features
- No additional features such as quest mode or story
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Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.
