Meh, sf4 is an exceptional sf and fighting game. It aint perfect and has alot of flaws, like many a game. It just happens to be a popular one (within the small fg niche) and gets the bigger microscope.
You wouldn't know it if you came into most "best fighting game" or "best fighting game to learn basics from" threads here. GG, SG, VSav, BB, some 3D fighters and other games are presented more often alongside their faults to keep expectations in check instead of being tossed out there without context like SF4 just because it has a huge audience. I can't remember the last time SF4 was recommended, but with the caveats of a large roster size, delay based netcode (pretty mediocre unless you are SCV or TTT2), no teaching tools or a wonky and difficult input system. In comparison it's not unusual for a lot of other games to be described as too fast (VSav), contentious in their aesthetic (BB, Skullgirls and Arcana), too small in roster size (skullgirls), too LARGE in roster size (think Tekken), too complex (KOF XIII or AC+R which isn't even that difficult), too easy (Why would you want SCV to be HARDER!?) or too lopsided in their balance (Third Strike) even by the people doing the recommending.
Fake Edit: I think I went off on a tangent. I guess part of me has also been kind of annoyed with the way SF4 is presented by the audience and not just how it plays.
Hmm, I've defended the game but I don't think I ever made claims like it was the best, just that it was my favorite. And that could change in time with SFV since I really like it so far. I really will miss a lot of things about SF4. Seeing the insane stuff that top players can do with all the tech, reads, and shear craziness really made the game amazing to watch at high level. But like it's been said by many people, that was SF4 and this is a new game and it doesn't need to include all or any of the stuff that was present or introduced in SF4.
That being said I think the jury is still out on how fun it will be to watch the game. I thought the Pre-Capcom Cup tournaments were pretty good, easily the best I've seen from SFV to date. But still pale in comparison to high level USF4 tournaments IMO. I hope that changes in time because I really want SFV to blow up and take that next step in the Esports Arena(we're using that word from now on instead of "competitive gaming", right?).
The top players really made it something special. The best footage definitely came from EVO top 32 and Japanese arcade tournaments. Other games can have their yearly peaks at entirely different times in comparison. SFV is probably going to need more characters playing in new ways to capture people to the degree SFIV did. We'll see if the V system is enough to do that in a year or two when the cast has grown by 6-12 characters. Sagat and Balrog had better get a mean makeover after being active in the series for so long.
Blackswordsman arc being animated after 2 decades.
What a time to be alive...
CG and no fixed schedule for the manga put a damper on the announcement.