What is this?
This update to CvS2 basically intends to back port most of the key fixes from CvS2 EO into the original home version of CvS2 (which already had its own fixes), while also fixing a few outstanding bugs the EO version didn’t fix, adding in a progressive mode (which the PS2 version never had), and updating some of the text to address various spelling errors, inconsistencies, etc.
In general it doesn’t try to overstep its bounds in terms of balance, sticking mostly to official EO changes, but there is one thing it does very differently from EO:
Roll Canceling is incorporated into the system, rather than simply removing the invincibility.
Why?
Fighting games rarely get this kind of treatment, so I can understand the question.
This isn’t meant to replace any version, new or old, but is simply a love letter or even a sendoff to an era of the game, primarily played on CRTs (but 480p panels are also welcome).
You can also think of it as a “What-if”, as in, “What if Capcom had done this instead?” Would people have largely accepted EO?
You tell me.
What’s Changed?
Check the changelog for full details, but I’ll try to give you an idea here:
- Roll Canceling is a fully incorporated mechanic that has a small cost, but is a little easier to perform and offers extensions.
- Player 2 can no longer take the corner from Player 1, preventing crazy mixups.
- The left corner will keep juggled opponents in now.
- A Groove Custom Combo can be activated from a connect normal in the air
- P Groove can cancel into Super from Special
- P Groove Guard Crush meter capacity increased
- P Groove added parry recognition frames
- S Groove starts charging much faster
- K Groove had its Guard Crush meter capacity slightly reduced
- Guile’s Sonic booms are slightly less effective
- Zangief has a 5% attack increase
- Dhalsim’s long range normals start-up faster
- Blanka has a 5% Attack reduction
- Vega has a 5% attack reduction, and nerfs to several of his clawless attacks
- Sagat has a 5% attack reduction, and can’t cancel into super from his far Fierce punch
- Cammy has a 5% attack reduction
- Kim has bug fixes for his stomp and dive (Kimfinite is not possible)
- Rugal had his far Fierce buffed
- Vice has a 5% attack increase, and a few normals are stronger / balanced
- Dan can no longer be OTG’d and his CC activation is more invulnerable
- Eagle has a 5% attack increase, and several buffs to his moves, notably the reflector
- Maki has a 5% attack increase, and can no longer custom combo off of her throw
- Kyosuke has a 5% attack increase, and has had most of his grounded normal attacks sped up
- Hibiki can no longer custom combo off of her throw, and her winpose is now fixed for K Groove opponents close to death.
- God Rugal is now called God Rugal, and shares the same improvement as regular Rugal
- Rolento can no longer be OTG’d
- Much of the text was updated
- Moves were uncensored and characters say their full move lines.
- The announcer shouts FINEST KO when you get a Dramatic KO
- Progressive mode is now a thing, and can be activated by holding Triangle and Cross while the game boots up.
That might not be everything, but it should give you a good idea.
Most of the files you're about to download need to be applied to your game. Here is a list of utilities that allow you to do this:
- Online Patcher: Marc Roblero's online patcher. Works with many different file types.
- Floating IPS: NWell-known patcher for applying IPS and BPS files.
- Delta Patcher: Used to apply xDelta files.
- More Patchers
On most files, you can also press “Patch It”, to apply the patch without downloading the file.
Finest KO, yes!
Cool to see another EO port for the game since this version likely won’t have its gameplay changes for the Fighting Collection 2 port. Used to play the Gamecube version a lot in high school, and seeing updates like this that build upon the EO changes keeps the game fresh as I continue to come back to it.
Props to making roll cancelling an actual mechanic tied to meter instead of just having it removed and/or keeping it unchanged from before. Having this version exist on release 20+ years ago would’ve likely convinced more people to give it a chance with some level of competitive play today. As of now, I think this version could attract more people once online rollback for PS2 games exists but for now I’ll be trying this hack solo until I can convince someone irl to give it a shot.
I like the game with all its flaws, these are minor nitpicks for me, doesn’t really affect the game.