Street Fighter X Tekken debuted on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 back in March, but Capcom's latest fighting extravaganza didn't make it to the PC until earlier this month. While it's a faithful translation of the core gameplay, the PC port lags behind its console brethren in networking performance, update patches and DLC availability.
For those unfamiliar with the game, Street Fighter X Tekken (pronounced Street Fighter Cross Tekken) takes some of the most popular characters from each fighting game universe and smashes them together for an ultimate fighting match-up. Because this is a Capcom-developed game, much of the fighting is Street Fighter inspired. With that said, there are still elements that are recognizably Tekken, such as the tag mechanic, four-button combos and how the life bars work. A Namco-developed Tekken X Street Fighter game with its roots firmly in the Tekken franchise is currently in the works, but we're not expecting to see anything substantial on that until well into next year.
Compared to prior games in the Street Fighter series, Street Fighter X Tekken stands out for its accessibility. Although the game engine is based on Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, the actual gameplay isn't nearly as technical as its predecessor. Moves have been simplified, timing windows are opened up and preset quick combos (triggered with a button press) all help ensure a low barrier to entry. Even the computer AI has been dumbed down, so new players making their way through arcade mode won't be frustrated.
Despite its focus on accessibility, Street Fighter X Tekken hasn't left advanced players out in the cold. There is still plenty of complexity layered in among the move sets, and those who take the time to master the intricacies will have a distinct advantage over everyone else. Skill is still king. Key to excelling is the aptly named Cross moves. Each of these is a standard move (identical across teams) that consumes part of the Cross Gauge.
The Cross Art is a two-character super combo that consumes a full Cross Gauge, but unleashes a devastating amount of damage if it connects. The action is automatic, so landing the first hit is crucial. Miss, and you're exposed. Cross Assault is similar, except both of your fighters are out at once, double-teaming your opponent. You control the action in assault, so make it count.
Cross Cancel is different from the other Cross moves, as it only uses a single character. Instead of calling your partner, the Cross Cancel is used to break an incoming attack chain and launch your opponent into the air. It requires solid timing, but if you can pull it off regularly, it'll quickly become a staple of your defense.
For those moments of desperation, there is Pandora. Available as an option once one of your characters falls below 25 percent health, it allows you to sacrifice the weakened teammate to greatly power up the other. The only catch is that once activated, you only have 10 seconds to win. Fail to obtain victory in this time, and it is an automatic loss. In most cases Pandora, isn't going to turn the tide, but in a close match, it's could determine a winner.
Players coming primarily from the Tekken series will appreciate the open-ended juggles available in Street Fighter X Tekken. All of the characters have a launcher move, as well as a launcher combo. Get a disabled opponent into the air, and with the right timing, you can keep him there while you unload.
Also of note is the gem system. Gems are a method of character customization that allows you to tweak your fighting style. Each gem offers a specific, limited time bonus once certain conditions are met. These bonuses can range from improved defense to an instant health boost. One set of gems will further simplify the control system, making special moves easier to perform. You can equip each fighter with up to three gems.
On the surface, the gems may sound like a gimmick, but once you start playing around with them, it's obvious that they are more than superficial. Two identical characters with different gem loadouts will play noticeably differently.
Visually, Street Fighter X Tekken is a treat. Characters and stages are both lavished with detail. Fighters are rendered in a colorful anime style, while backgrounds are loaded with fan service. Each of the 10 primary stages is packed with nods to the franchises. You'll see characters such as Blanka and E.Honda appearing in background graffiti as well as more esoteric references. These include the giant Servbot head in one level or the dinosaur in the Dino Crisis-inspired stage that air-boxes with gloves bearing what looks like an image of Tekken 3's Gon.
From a purely technical perspective, Street Fighter X Tekken improves on the Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition engine by a noticeable amount. Running on the same hardware at the same settings, we saw a nine percent increase in frame rate over the prior game. Basically, if either version of Super Street Fighter IV runs well on your PC, you won't have any issues with Street Fighter X Tekken.
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