I am by no means good at fighting games. Regardless of my skill level, I love playing them. When I hear about a new fighting game, I listen. One of my favorite franchises is Virtua Fighter. The fact that it’s a more ‘down-to-earth’ fighting game appeals to me. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s the one fighting game I’m decent at. Over the last week, I’ve been playing a lot of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage. It’s been a blast and makes me even more eager to see what’s in store for the franchise in 2026.
A 20-year-old game that still holds up.
This is the third/fourth iteration of Virtua Fighter 5. The game first launched back in 2006 in arcades in Japan. Since then, versions of the game have been launched on many platforms. In fact, a Nintendo Switch 2 edition of this game is expected by the end of the year.
I first picked up “World Stage” earlier in the year when it launched on Steam. After spending about ten minutes playing, I finished the arcade mode and was happy with how it turned out. But after its recent release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, I jumped back in. Over the last week, I’ve been playing the PS5 version. My thoughts are still the same; this is an incredible fighting game.
Since it’s almost 20 years old, it doesn’t have the same focus as modern fighters. Nowadays, fighting games include a story mode to appeal to a wider audience. “World Stage” doesn’t have a story mode. In its place is a lengthy battle mode designed for solo players.
World Stage is fun
The core mode in this version of Virtua Fighter 5 is “World Stage”. Here, you’ll hone your skills against “AI Players”. You’ll get into fights to improve your ranking. As your ranking increases, so does the strength of your opposition. It’s a slow process, but a great way to get better at the game.
It’s difficult to determine how much of the game draws inspiration from the real world. Based on player IDs, I’m assuming I’m playing against data collected from their pool of players. But we don’t get an idea of whether these accounts are real or created for the game. Additionally, based on my playthrough so far, most of my opposition appears to come from accounts based in Asia.
While this mode is fun and challenging, the structure has some pacing issues. I’ve gone through over 120 fights, and even with a solid 80% win rate, I’ve only unlocked four of the available “zones”. I am ranked at Level 26, which for me is an accomplishment. However, I’m not sure if I have the strength to keep going. Sure, the fighting is fun, but the rewards, which are all cosmetic, are not impressive.
I wish more people played Virtua Fighter
When it comes to combat, Virtua Fighter is pure fun. One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is that it’s easy to learn. This series doesn’t rely on quarter-circle attacks. You have three button commands: block, punch, and kick. Success is about timing and incorporating combos in your attacks.
Sure, you can spam the punch and/or kick buttons. You’ll win a few fights, but the key to victory is fighting smart. I want to emphasize the importance of timing. You need to pay attention to how the AI fights and to capitalize on opportunities. This is why I hope the AI in World Stages mimics real players. If that’s the case, I could be competitive in online play.
I have my favorite fighter in Virtua Fighter. Since I can remember, Pai has been my go-to fighter. Although I stick with her, I love the roster of characters here. This is one of the smaller rosters in comparison to other fighters, but I do like that there is variety. In World Stage, there will be times when I’ll encounter a character for the first time and be curious to try them out. As I spend more time playing, I’d like to switch it up and see if I can find another character that clicks with me.
Cannot wait for the future
Virtua Fighter is one of my favorite fighting game franchises. Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is a great addition to the game and an easy recommendation for everyone. Regardless of your experience with fighters or your knowledge of the series, it’s easy to pick up and play. Also, its low price point is hard to pass up. With the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio working on the next game in the series, I can’t wait to see what they have planned for 2026.
