Super Street Fighter 4 vs Steel Diver
Steel Diver
Without a doubt, Steel Diver is the more impressive title in 3D; it is like staring into a little aquarium, only sometimes there happens to be large waterfalls, volcanoes, and lots and lots of living creatures. The periscope mode is also a lot of fun; there is no visual experience like a game during a storm, everything looks so lifelike.
The Campaign isn't very long; but there is a great degree of difficulty in it if the user is unable to keep track of multiple acceleration controls, as well as a steering wheel, and weapons. Buttons can be used, but it is much better to use the touchscreen dials, buttons, and levers. As I have previously stated, it makes me want to play a mech game, or a Star Trek title; as expanded controls like these will work very well in those types of games. This mode is about as close to an adventure title as is available until May 7th when Kid Icarus launches; a little over a month. Oh, and yes there are giant sea monsters and super sized enemy sea vessels to take care of.
Periscope Mode utilizes the gyroscopic technology, but only in a periscope type range; it is not like Face Raiders where the user has a full spherical play field. There is also a dial on the touchscreen, but the precision of the periscope, and the addition of an office chair, Motion controls are the only way to go with this. As I said above, Storm setting is the most impressive level here. The Submarine vs Submarine location reminds me A HELL off a lot of Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country, in the battle between Kirk's Enterprise, Sulu's Excelsior, and Chang's cloaked Bird of Prey which can fire weapons undetected - perhaps my favourite scene of all of the Star Trek movies, including the latest. The reason why I make this comparison is because some of the subs are far enough out that the user will have to rely on sonar in order to locate them, gauge their speed, and land a torpedo - all while they're firing at you. It is very satisfying to see that explosion in the depths, in the distance. This mode is the shortest.
The third mode is a strategic battle mode with several different maps. I have only competed on map 1, and I can already say that this is the longest mode available in the game. Essentially you have to protect your supply ships with an escort fleet, and your own submarine if you wish to use it that way; more likely you'll be playing the role of Captain Nemo in amongst the enemy fleet. Escort ships can use depth charges, but are at a fairly large disadvantage, since the sub can attack them, and deal out heavy damage (4 torpedos to fire per turn, with 1-2 to sink most ships; whereas ships can only use 1 depth charge with about a 33% chance of hitting and doing some damage).
Super Street Fighter 4
I have played through campaign with several characters. I have been finding the game to be MUCH more balanced than Alpha 3 was; which was the last Street Fighter game I played. The D-pad on the 3DS is much better than the SNES, VC, and PSX D-pad; and in combination with the touch screen buttons, I have no problems pulling off any move in the game. It is very easy to chain moves together (ie. medium/light punch to Tiger shot; medium kick to Tiger Upercut,etc...). For the first time ever, I don't feel that cheap Guile strategies are as effective as they used to be - at least with Sagat, I still have trouble when using Ken. As in Alpha 3 and Super Street Fighter 2, I am probably not going to venture much into the expanded cast (everyone outside of the Turbo roster, which are the originals + Balrog, Vega, Sagat, and Bison). I did try Akuma, he is now no stronger than other fighters - in Alpha 3, he was clearly superior.
The RPG battle mode is fairly cool too. When passing someone who has Super Street Fighter 4 data on their 3DS, the team you have set up will battle against the opponent's team; and the results of the battle can be viewed later. Your characters will level up as they fight.
I have fought 150 online battles so far; essentially you can go from the home screen of the 3DS, and be in an online battle in under 30 seconds - it is a very quick process unlike Super Smash Brothers Brawl for example. Online overall is vastly improved over Wii software - although it might be just that Capcom is really good, because Monster Hunter Tri is easily Wii's best multiplayer title - and better than any recent PC game I have bought (including Starcraft 2 and Civ 5).
Graphically, it is difficult to play the game in 2D after playing in 3D. While the game does not benefit as much as Steel Diver from the 3D (3D water is just too cool looking), it does look very lifelike (not in terms of detail as they are anime characters, but rather they look like they're not on a screen, but living anime characters fighting). When playing old DS games, they feel like they are missing something without the 3D.
Which game do I like better?
Steel Diver has the bigger "wow" factor, and has a lot of interesting stuff, but ultimately, it is one of the most complexly controlled titles available on any system right now; it will not have the mass appeal that Street Fighter 4 has. It is more of a niche title, similar to the original Radar Mission on Gameboy. If you liked Radar Mission or Star Trek on the original Gameboy, then Steel Diver is a must have - otherwise Super Street Fighter 4. Super Street Fighter 4 is a fighter, and therefore more repetitive, everything you do is essentially a battle - but you can grow more skilled, and there are HUGE obstacles to overcome in the game, harder difficulty levels; and, of course, top tier human players. Ultimately, I think for myself, I will probably not play Steel Diver anytime soon after this first month; but I can see myself playing Super Street Fighter 4 for the next 3 months at least.
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