Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Street Fighter EX2 Plus continues the series’ transition into 3D arenas without sacrificing the tight, responsive controls that fans have come to expect. Central to the experience is the refined Super Combo gauge system, which allows players to execute devastating EX moves and powerful Super Combos. These additions add depth to each matchup, rewarding strategic meter management and precise timing.

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One of the most compelling features in EX2 Plus is the expanded roster. While Kairi and Sakura from the first EX game have been removed, the lineup is bolstered by four new combatants: Volcano Rosso, Nanase, Sharon, and Area. Each newcomer brings unique move sets and personalities, encouraging players to experiment and discover new playstyles. Veterans such as Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li remain as solid anchors, ensuring a familiar starting point for long-time fans.

The Director Mode is a standout addition that sets EX2 Plus apart from its predecessors. Within this mode, you can record your character’s victories and defeats, then dive into a simple editor to adjust camera angles, trim unwanted footage, and craft highlight reels. For those new to video editing, an “auto-direct” option lets the CPU pick the best shots, ensuring every clip looks dynamic. After you’ve perfected your mini-movie, you can save it directly to a memory card and share with friends, turning your best rounds into brag-worthy showpieces.

Beyond the Director Mode, the core modes—Arcade, Versus, Team Battle, and Survival—remain robust and varied. The Arcade mode follows a traditional ladder, pitting you against eight opponents before a final boss encounter. Versus mode lets two players duke it out locally, while Team Battle mode allows for 3-on-3 elimination matches. In Survival mode, you face an endless gauntlet of foes; your performance is judged on how many wins you can stack before falling. Together, these modes offer high replay value and cater to casual players and tournament hopefuls alike.

Training mode, often an afterthought in other fighters, is thoughtfully implemented here. You can test hitboxes, adjust AI behavior, and practice combos at your pace. This feature is especially helpful for newcomers who want to master each character’s quirks without the pressure of an opponent. Overall, Street Fighter EX2 Plus achieves a balance between arcade accessibility and the depth that hardcore fans demand.

Graphics

Street Fighter EX2 Plus showcases some of the most polished 3D models seen in mid-’90s fighting games. Character proportions and animations are smooth, giving each combatant a sense of weight and presence. During close quarters combat, the fluidity of punches, kicks, throws, and special moves is immediately apparent, making it easy to appreciate the designers’ attention to detail.

Backgrounds in EX2 Plus are richly designed, featuring dynamic elements that react to the fight’s progress. From a volcanic stage with drifting embers to an urban rooftop lit by neon signs, each arena adds atmosphere without distracting from the action. Occasionally, minor frame drops can occur when multiple effects fill the screen, but these hiccups are rare and don’t interfere with competitive play.

Lighting and particle effects shine in special attacks, particularly the Super Combos. Fireballs, electricity, and psychedelic energy blasts explode with vivid colors and satisfying trails. These visual flourishes heighten the drama and underscore the power of each move. Even on older hardware, EX2 Plus manages to maintain a crisp presentation that holds up well in local multiplayer sessions.

Character portraits and menu screens maintain the classic Street Fighter art style, with bold lines and expressive poses. The soundtrack pulses with driving beats and memorable motifs that complement the high-octane battles. While modern gamers may notice the dated polygon count, the overall aesthetic remains charming and evocative of an era when 3D fighters were still finding their footing.

Director Mode footage, once exported, retains the in-game graphical fidelity. Friends watching your edited clips can appreciate every spin kick and ground punch in all its polygonal glory. The ability to tweak camera angles grants even more cinematic flair, transforming routine matches into little blockbusters suitable for replaying or showcasing online.

Story

Unlike narrative-driven fighters, Street Fighter EX2 Plus approaches story in a lightweight, arcade-friendly fashion. Each character receives a brief intro sequence and a personalized ending upon completing their arcade run. These snippets offer glimpses into motivations and rivalries, but they aren’t elaborate enough to satisfy those seeking a fully fleshed-out plot.

The new characters bring fresh, albeit concise, backstories. Volcano Rosso is a brash flamenco-style fighter with a score to settle, while Nanase emerges as a graceful martial artist who fights to honor her family traditions. Sharon and Area add further diversity: one is a mysterious intelligence agent, and the other is a cybernetically enhanced brawler. Their endings hint at ongoing feuds and alliances, laying groundwork for potential sequels or spin-offs.

For series staples like Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li, the story remains familiar: the quest for self-improvement, bond testing against rivals, and the pursuit of justice. Although the plot doesn’t drastically evolve from previous installments, the individual character arcs are satisfying enough to give context to each fight. The text-and-graphic presentation may be dated, but it resonates with the series’ classic tone.

Stage intros—where fighters square off in short cinematic vignettes—add flavor without stalling the action. A torii gate may crush beneath Ryu’s hadouken, or a rival might challenge the player in a tense face-off. These pre-fight bits reinforce character personalities and help maintain engagement between battles.

Overall, the narrative framework in EX2 Plus is functional rather than groundbreaking. It provides sufficient motivation to power through Arcade mode and gives each character a sense of identity. For many fans, these concise snapshots are part of Street Fighter’s enduring charm: it’s a fighting game first, and a storytelling medium a distant second.

Overall Experience

Street Fighter EX2 Plus is a triumphant evolution of the EX series. With its refined controls, robust roster changes, and the ingenious Director Mode, it caters to both newcomers and seasoned fighters. Dropping Kairi and Sakura might disappoint some purists, but the addition of Volcano Rosso, Nanase, Sharon, and Area adds fresh life and strategic variety.

The presentation is vibrant and energetic. Though the 3D graphics show their age by today’s standards, the fluid animations and stage designs still impress. Director Mode elevates the package by turning matches into shareable, cinematic vignettes—an innovative feature that keeps the community engaged and fosters friendly competition.

Content-wise, EX2 Plus offers tremendous replay value. The assortment of battle modes—Arcade, Versus, Survival, Team Battle, and Training—ensures that there’s always a new challenge to tackle. The ability to record and edit fights injects a surprising layer of creativity, enabling players to craft highlight reels or comedy sketches from their matches.

While the story elements are minimal, they serve their purpose by giving each character a dash of personality and motivation. The brief endings and stage intros are more than enough to keep players invested in unlocking every fighter and discovering their unique finishers.

In summary, Street Fighter EX2 Plus is a standout entry in the franchise’s 3D experiments. It strikes an admirable balance between accessible fun and competitive depth, and its Director Mode sets it apart as one of the most innovative fighting games of its era. Whether you’re looking for intense local showdowns or a tool to create and share your own highlight reels, EX2 Plus remains a worthy purchase for any enthusiast of classic fighting games.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10