SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom is a game that has always occupied a peculiar place in the history of fighting games. Originally released for arcades, it stood out for bringing iconic Capcom characters into SNK's visual style, which for many fans was the big draw. With the recent relaunch for modern platforms, including PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC, the game returns with some important updates, but does it really hold up in 2024?
A look that divides opinion
Compared to Capcom vs. SNK, which did a phenomenal job of recreating the sprites in Capcom's style, "SVC Chaos" leaves something to be desired visually. SNK chose to reuse sprites from other games, resulting in graphics that, although nostalgic, look dated and unrefined even at the time. If on the one hand the brilliance of this version lies in seeing Capcom characters with SNK's darker, heavier style, on the other, the game fails to impress like its "popular brother".
This re-release introduces some filters and frames that give the game an emulation look, but the result is a dark, melancholy look that may put off players used to the more vibrant graphics of modern games. The settings, meanwhile, follow this desolate line, with a sense of abandonment that, although stylistic, may not appeal to everyone.
Gameplay: A Mystery Solved
If "SVC Chaos" doesn't impress visually, the gameplay is where it really shines. Even though it's a direct port of the arcade version, the controls remain responsive, and the system of combos and hitboxes has been well implemented. Unlike many SNK games in the past, where the hitboxes were inconsistent, here the blows fit together satisfactorily, providing a fluid and rewarding experience for the most dedicated fighting game fans.
However, it's important to note that "SVC Chaos" is still a game from the arcade era, and its gameplay reflects this. Moves require precision and experience, especially if you want to master classic techniques like the Shoryuken. For new players, this may represent a greater challenge, but for veterans, there is a sense of nostalgia in revisiting this more technical and less indulgent fighting style.
The Sound Stays Behind
The audio is one of the weak points of the re-release. As it's a direct port of the arcade version, the sound quality hasn't been updated, resulting in a soundtrack and effects that sound old-fashioned and don't have the same impact you'd expect from a title released on modern platforms. If the visuals are a matter of taste, the sound could definitely have been given more attention.
The Brilliance of Online Mode
The main addition of this new version is the implementation of online mode with netcode rollback, which provides a significantly more stable and responsive online gaming experience. Netcode rollback minimizes common latency problems, allowing for smoother matches. However, the matchmaking itself leaves something to be desired. Although it is functional, it lacks refinement, which can result in an inconsistent experience depending on the time and location of the players.
A Title for the Fans
"SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom" is, above all, a game for lovers of SNK's history and the era of crossovers between the fighting game giants. If you grew up playing this title in the arcade or on the PlayStation 2, or if you're simply a collector of classic fighting games, this re-release has an undeniable nostalgic appeal.
However, for players who expect something more refined or who don't have an emotional connection to the game, "SVC Chaos" may seem dated and have flaws that other modern fighting games have long since solved. Despite this, for the affordable price, it could be worth a trip back in time, especially with the possibility of reliving those battles online.
In short, "SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom" isn't perfect, but it offers an experience faithful to what it was like in the arcades, with some modern improvements that may please old-school fans. Whether this is enough to justify your purchase will depend on how strong your nostalgia for the golden age of fighting games is.
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