SUMMARY:
Fun SNK (Technically Playmore at the time of the game's release, but I digress..) developed fighting game crossover! While perhaps slightly lacking in some aspects of the graphical presentation and system mechanics, particularly when compared to SNK's best works, both past and future. It thankfully comes together well enough to be called a solidly entertaining crossover fighter. In no small part thanks to SNK's detailed, in some cases striking, character sprite work. Along with a fun and varied cast, featuring several combatants not previously represented in Capcom's crossover offerings.

PRESENTATION:
On the whole, the graphics are somewhat uninspiring with surprisingly subdued backgrounds. The bland backgrounds, both in terms of color, as well as actual sights and scenes on display. Are definitely the most disappointing aspect of the presentation, especially considering the stellar backgrounds SNK has produced in their other games. Thankfully the SNK style shines through in the sprites with some very interesting character designs that really stand out from the more traditional fare we see in the Capcom developed titles. Some cast members such as Demitri, Balrog, and a couple of others, are arguably the best they have ever looked.

ROSTER:
Alongside the generally attractive character models, the game's strength lies with the fun and interesting choices SNK chose to include among the cast. While you will certainly find plenty of each franchise's roster staples present and accounted for. From Terry to Kyo, and Ryu to Guile, you can probably guess who the shoe-ins of the cast are before ever seeing the selection screen. That said you are sure to be surprised with some of the more oddball choices, found are inclusions such as Athena (the goddess not idol), Mars People (from Metal Slug!), Earthquake, or Shiki! (Both from Samurai Showdown). Some of Capcom's more exotic choices include Zero (long before he appeared in the Marvel 3 games), Violent Ken (his only appearance prior to his recent inclusion in USFII), and Red Arremer / Firebrand (from Ghosts and Goblins, and again well before his Marvel 3 incarnation).

GAMEPLAY:
Where as the roster is likely to keep you guessing, the gameplay not so much. While most of the staples of 2D fighters are accounted for in some capacity, the game can feel somewhat limited for whatever reason. I think this is largely a result of two things. First being that this is a strictly one on one affair. While not technically an flaw, the reality is that we've come to expect crossover games, or games with large rosters and guest characters at least, to be tag-team affairs and for me personally, there is just as much appeal in making unusual allies as their is to unexpected encounters. Moreover, the best part of the game's arcade mode is the wacky back and forth you see the characters engage in before matches. This to would have been that much better with teams involved. Another odd change that I personally don't love, was the choice to replace SNK's signature Run mechanic, with dashing. The dashes do feel decent and cover a fair bit of ground, but I think running would have served to better complement the games generally brisk pace. The most unique aspects of the system mechanics would be that you can guard cancel pretty much anything, as well as a technique that allows you to cancel almost any normal I believe, into a special (maybe even super?) move for a very small meter penalty. The latter is somewhat balanced by the fact that performing the maneuver, which is indicated by your character flashing briefly, requires very tight and specific timing.


CLOSING:
All in all I think SVC Chaos is an entertaining and solid fighter. While it is a shame that it fails to capitalize on some things we've come to expect as SNK's strong suits (generic backgrounds, somewhat vanilla system mechanics, dashing instead of run!?), the interesting and varied cast, good rollback netcode, and SNK's strong character sprite work, all work to elevate the game above mediocrity and make it worthy of a place in your fighting game collection.

- 7.5/10 -

SUMMARY: Fun SNK (Technically Playmore at the time of the game's release, but I digress..) developed fighting game crossover! While perhaps slightly lacking in some aspects of the graphical presentation and system mechanics, particularly when compared to SNK's best works, both past and future. It thankfully comes together well enough to be called a solidly entertaining crossover fighter. In no small part thanks to SNK's detailed, in some cases striking, character sprite work. Along with a fun and varied cast, featuring several combatants not previously represented in Capcom's crossover offerings. PRESENTATION: On the whole, the graphics are somewhat uninspiring with surprisingly subdued backgrounds. The bland backgrounds, both in terms of color, as well as actual sights and scenes on display. Are definitely the most disappointing aspect of the presentation, especially considering the stellar backgrounds SNK has produced in their other games. Thankfully the SNK style shines through in the sprites with some very interesting character designs that really stand out from the more traditional fare we see in the Capcom developed titles. Some cast members such as Demitri, Balrog, and a couple of others, are arguably the best they have ever looked. ROSTER: Alongside the generally attractive character models, the game's strength lies with the fun and interesting choices SNK chose to include among the cast. While you will certainly find plenty of each franchise's roster staples present and accounted for. From Terry to Kyo, and Ryu to Guile, you can probably guess who the shoe-ins of the cast are before ever seeing the selection screen. That said you are sure to be surprised with some of the more oddball choices, found are inclusions such as Athena (the goddess not idol), Mars People (from Metal Slug!), Earthquake, or Shiki! (Both from Samurai Showdown). Some of Capcom's more exotic choices include Zero (long before he appeared in the Marvel 3 games), Violent Ken (his only appearance prior to his recent inclusion in USFII), and Red Arremer / Firebrand (from Ghosts and Goblins, and again well before his Marvel 3 incarnation). GAMEPLAY: Where as the roster is likely to keep you guessing, the gameplay not so much. While most of the staples of 2D fighters are accounted for in some capacity, the game can feel somewhat limited for whatever reason. I think this is largely a result of two things. First being that this is a strictly one on one affair. While not technically an flaw, the reality is that we've come to expect crossover games, or games with large rosters and guest characters at least, to be tag-team affairs and for me personally, there is just as much appeal in making unusual allies as their is to unexpected encounters. Moreover, the best part of the game's arcade mode is the wacky back and forth you see the characters engage in before matches. This to would have been that much better with teams involved. Another odd change that I personally don't love, was the choice to replace SNK's signature Run mechanic, with dashing. The dashes do feel decent and cover a fair bit of ground, but I think running would have served to better complement the games generally brisk pace. The most unique aspects of the system mechanics would be that you can guard cancel pretty much anything, as well as a technique that allows you to cancel almost any normal I believe, into a special (maybe even super?) move for a very small meter penalty. The latter is somewhat balanced by the fact that performing the maneuver, which is indicated by your character flashing briefly, requires very tight and specific timing. CLOSING: All in all I think SVC Chaos is an entertaining and solid fighter. While it is a shame that it fails to capitalize on some things we've come to expect as SNK's strong suits (generic backgrounds, somewhat vanilla system mechanics, dashing instead of run!?), the interesting and varied cast, good rollback netcode, and SNK's strong character sprite work, all work to elevate the game above mediocrity and make it worthy of a place in your fighting game collection. - 7.5/10 -