SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is making a comeback after over 20 years. SNK announced and released the game at EVO 2024 on July 20, 2024.

The new game takes advantage of modern graphics technology to improve and enhance the original version’s features. Most notably, the fights are smoother and feature new moves and tactics. It also introduces several new features, including an entirely new combat system. Here is a comprehensive review of SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos, including the must-know aspects of its new gameplay features.

What is SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is an improved version of the original fighting game, first released in 2003. It is a star-studded crossover of the SNK and Capcom fighting games, both native to Japan. The game features 36 characters drawn from various games by both companies, mostly SNK’s The King of Fighters and Capcom’s Street Fighter series. Notably, it is the third and final game in the SNK vs. Capcom series.

Both SNK and Capcom have produced several arcade hits over the years. SNK has released hundreds of games since 1978, and its most popular titles include The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and Samurai Showdown. Capcom has been less prolific than SNK but is also reputable for several world-famous hits, including Street Fighter and Red Earth.

Story

While SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos dives right into fighting, it has a surprisingly intriguing background story. It is set in purgatory, where select players find themselves following an apocalyptic event that wipes out all life on earth. Athena and Red Arremer, the avatars of Order and Chaos, organize brutal fighting tournaments in purgatory. The rules are simple: you must fight and win to ask for one wish from the avatars. With everyone’s life hanging in the balance, losing is not an option.

Gameplay

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is all about fighting. Notably, its gameplay is very similar to the King of Fighters’ series gameplay, particularly the 2002 version. Moreover, it also retains many of the techniques from the KOF series. it also retains the series’ controls and classic visuals.

However, it differs from KOF in one crucial aspect: it shifts away from the Team Battle system and instead employs the traditional round-based one-on-one system. It also utilizes a rollback netcode and features online lobbies that accommodate up to nine players, supporting PvP battles with friends and strangers from all over the world. Moreover, it features tournaments with flexible winning formats, including single-elimination, double-elimination, and round-robin formats.

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos also introduces a new Power Gauge system known as the Groove Power Gauge. The Groove Power Gauge gradually fills up as you land attacks against your opponents or block incoming attacks.

The Groove Power Gauge system has three levels that unlock as you continue filling the gauge. Moreover, unlocking new levels enables you to perform special, powerful attack and defense tactics. For example, you can perform the Guard Cancel Front Step maneuver, Guard Cancel Attack, and Super Special Moves when you reach Level One or Level Two, depending on your character.

Moreover, you can unlock the Max Activation feature when the Groove Power Gauge reaches Maximum. Max Activation enables players to cancel any of their moves for a limited period. Unlocking Max Activation makes the gauge turn into a timer that indicates how long the feature will last. The Groove Power Gauge then returns to Level Two when the timer expires.

The game also introduces a new defense tactic called the Front Grand Step. You can use this tactic to cancel your opponents’ attacks by performing a forward dash. However, this tactic is costly because it consumes one Groove Power Gauge level. Besides the Front Grand Step, players also get a new special move called Exceed. However, you can only use this move one time when your character’s life drops below half.

You can choose from 36 fan-favorite characters from both companies’ various games. They include 24 standard fighters and 12 formidable bosses. Notably, the characters have varying strengths and weaknesses. While most of the boss characters were inaccessible in the game’s original version, all characters are immediately accessible in the 2024 version.

On the one hand, the most notable characters from SNK’s side include Terry Bogard, Kyo Kusanagi, Athena, Mars People, and Mai Shiranui. On the other hand, the most notable characters from Capcom’s side include Red Arremer, Chun-Li, Ryu, and Demitri.

Other new features in SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos include a Hitbox Viewer and Gallery Mode. The Hitbox Viewer gives players a detailed overview of their characters’ collision areas, enabling them to learn and adapt. The Gallery Mode features 89 beautiful artworks, including character portraits, key art, and more.

Development

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is developed by Code Mystics and published by the SNK Corporation. Notably, SNK vs. Capcom games produced by SNK differ slightly from those developed by Capcom. Interestingly, games produced by Capcom have received a better reception in the past.

Trailer

The official trailer for SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos highlights the game’s best features and gameplay design. It showcases diverse characters fighting against each other in one-on-one battles. The battles look exhilarating, and you can catch glimpses of different characters’ best moves and abilities. Moreover, highlights the game’s new features and notable enhancements using large text embedded between scenes.

Interestingly, the scenes also highlight the new game’s classic visuals borrowed from the King of Fighters series. Moreover, the audio is electrifying and makes the action-packed gameplay feel more engaging.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is already out. The developers released the PC version, available via Steam and GOG, on July 20, 2024. They later released other versions for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on July 22, 2024. This new version is the original game’s second edition, with a few new and enhanced features.

So, what’s your take on our review of SVC vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.