Street Fighter V's Battle System Switches Things Up

If you spent the past six or so years learning how to play Street Fighter IV and its many variants, then it may time to book yourself back into the dojo. Capcom has revealed the battle system for Street Fighter V today, and while there are obvious similarities to its predecessors – well, there's also plenty of new stuff for you to master.

The new game – due out in 2016 on the PlayStation 4 – is built around something called the Variable System, a new meter which you'll find on the game's HUD. Without getting too complex, this consists of three mechanics which will be unique to each character: V-Skill, V-Trigger, and V-Reversal. Each consumes a different portion of the gauge.

The V-Trigger, for example, requires your meter to be full, and gives you access to moves which can turn the tide of battle. In the case of Chun-Li, it adds extra attacks to her ordinary abilities, while Ryu is boosted with electric charges. V-Skills, meanwhile, are simpler manoeuvres that need to be properly timed; M. Bison can, for instance, absorb projectiles and throw them back.

V-Reversals are obviously a little more self-explanatory – they allow you to combat an attack in exchange for one section of your gauge – but the twist is that each counter has a different outcome; you may push an opponent away, or switch sides. And then, of course, there's the standalone EX Gauge, which builds up as you deal damage; once full, you'll be able to inflict a Critical Art.

All of this is explained and demonstrated in more detail courtesy of the trailer embedded below, and there's more information on the PlayStation Blog should you wish to peruse it. We will say that, on a purely base level, the title's really starting to look the part now, with one new stage showing an English train station. What do you make of these changes, though? Hit us where it hurts in the comments section below.