The Virtua Fighter series could be referred to as evolutionary for fighting games. Hailed as the first true 3D fighting game when it was developed by Sega's AM2 development studio in 1993, the game has always attracted the more hardcore gamer. Each iteration of the series has capitalized on the technological advances of the time, and with a depth that is arguably unrivalled by its more popular competitors, such as Tekken, it's somewhat surprising that it has never been embraced on a mass scale outside of the Far East. Virtua Fighter 5 Online brings the series to a new generation in hopes of conquering new territories, and to this end was one of the earlier titles released for PlayStation 3 back in February of this year. However, its release on Microsoft's machine sees the addition of online play, a feature sorely missed by PlayStation gamers. Other additions include the fact that the game uses AM2's Arcade Version C model, a step up from Version B which was used for the PS3 port.

The fighting in VF5 is quite simply the most evolved version of the series to date. This isn't a game you'll be able to pick up and immediately start busting out power combos. Mastering the fighting mechanic is part of the integral experience, and with a level of depth that quite frankly puts its rivals to shame, that's no easy task. There are an immense amount of moves on offer for each character, ranging from simple variations of an offensive closed-hand punch, all the way up to huge combos involving all manner of move adjustments. Sega clearly intend for players to take the time to pick a character that appeals to them and stick with it, as all game modes require you to save data for just one character choice in order to complete them. This will no doubt annoy more casual players, as it forces you to use the same save data whilst playing in arcade and versus mode if you wish to increase your rank and progress to the game's completion. This is not necessarily a bad thing though, as it forces serious players to train hard, learning every intricacy of their character's fighting style.

VF5 features some of the most impressive graphics to be seen in a 3D fighting game.

Once you get to grips with VF5's mechanics you'll be ready to plunge yourself into the game's Quest mode. This places you on a map of a virtual world, with seven arcades where you can go to challenge an AI player on one of three machines. Each of the different arcades caters to a differing standard of player, and ranking will increase depending on how much of an experience gap there is between you and the player you challenge. It isn't advisable for new players to jump straight into an expert arcade though, as you'll probably get annihilated pretty quickly. You'll need to work your way up, competing in invitational tournaments as you go that allow you to earn increased amounts of in game currency, or special hard to find items.

In Quest mode you can also customize your character with the various items you unlock and purchase. This is a really nice feature that allows a huge amount of variation to the look of your character. These custom characters are also fully useable on Xbox Live. In a further addition from the PS3 version, Sega has added 75% more items to obtain in the 360 release, so unlocking them all could take some serious commitment. It also means that when playing on Live, the same two characters can look completely different, which is a pretty impressive sight.

For those who are eager to get online, there are ranked and player matches available, as well as the option of creating a session. The only drawback with starting a session with a friend is the lack of ability to change character without backing right out and inviting your friend to a new session. Although the game bases itself on the principle of becoming one fighter and mastering him or her, it would add to the fun to be able to pick another of the 17 characters available. People like a little variety online, and without this, a session can become a bit stale. Another disappointment is the lack of any online tournament modes. For a game that spawns huge amounts of competition with the hardcore, it's a little surprising that no online element has been added to support this. Outside of this, though, online play is a huge addition and an absolute necessity for any modern fighter. Sega got it right here, and with no noticeable lag during most fights, the gripes about occasional latency in fighting games have become the exception here, rather than the rule.

One of the first things you'll notice when you get into your first fight is the stunningly solid looking visuals. The character designs are superbly modeled with intricate detail, and your surroundings are gorgeous in each fighting stage you come across. Several feature water in close proximity to the fighting arena, and it is simply some of the best looking liquid you'll find in any game. Incidentally, earning a "Ring Out" on these stages will send your unfortunate opponent for the plunge, producing fantastic looking ripples outward from their uncontrolled immersion. The backgrounds are excellently done, with lighting affects that really drive home how excellent this game looks. Running the game in full 1080p on a large screen will make you pat yourself on the back with pride, as that thousand dollar investment will finally prove its worth.

The fighting is incredibly deep and very satisfying.

If VF5 has a weak point, it's in the slightly irritating soundtrack that plays during fights. The different tracks aren't really themed to the setting of each stage, and if you want to be really picky, there aren't really many ambient sounds from your surroundings. There is the option of turning on commentary which perhaps explains the lack of any detailed ambience, but the commentators are strained at the best of times, and the English version sounds painfully droll and only really adds generalized token statements during the action. There is also the option to turn on the original Japanese commentary. Although it is an improvement from the English version, it still gets annoying quickly. The vocal commands and grunts of battle sound great though, and the voice acting extends to the slightly cheesy comments made before and after fights, which have always been a part of the Virtua Fighter series. The only other real bad point is the lack of thought put into the menu layouts. Whether looking at the opening screen or in the Quest mode, the design and layout is basic and unimaginative.

Although the differences in this version of VF5 will barely be noticeable to most gamers, its addition to the 360 means a more balanced fighting experience all around. Combined with the inclusion of a huge number of extra collectible items and of course, the ability to play online through Xbox Live, makes this a substantially better purchase than the PS3 port. When compared to other fighters on the market, this is simply the one of the best fighting games out today, with or without online play. The characters are varied and realistic, whilst being unbelievably well balanced against each other. If you're a fighting game fan, you'll find it hard not fall in love with the depth of control and fantastic presentation of Virtua Fighter 5 Online. This is a fantastic purchase.