The release of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. on PC is an important moment for the long-running Virtua Fighter franchise. Not only does R.E.V.O.‘s launch mark the return of Virtua Fighter to PC for the first time in nearly 30 years, but it also sets the stage for the franchise’s future on the platform with Sega planning to bring subsequent entries to PC. Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is just the latest in a string of Virtua Fighter 5 home ports following its original 2006 release in the arcades, and keen-eyed players immediately noticed the roster having an interesting omission: Dural.
Dural is the traditional main antagonist of the Virtua Fighter series, having appeared in every game from the 1993 original up through every release of Virtua Fighter 5 before R.E.V.O. Her absence from Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is notable given her place as one of the most important and iconic characters in the franchise, and the reasons for her being cut from the roster speak volumes about R.E.V.O.‘s emphasis on competitive multiplayer. Series producer Seiji Aoki’s recent conversation with Game Rant shed light on Dural’s exclusion from the roster being intentional, but it might not be permanent.
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Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.’s Multiplayer Focus Left No Room For Dural
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is not the first iteration of Virtua Fighter 5 to limit Dural’s appearance in the game. The PS4 release of Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown included Dural as the final boss of Arcade Mode, but removed her as a playable character, a marked difference from her place as an unlockable fighter in Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown. With both Ultimate Showdown and R.E.V.O. intended to serve as the definitive home releases of Virtua Fighter 5, Dural’s absence from the playable roster is an intentional move on Sega’s part to prevent players from having an unfair advantage during competitive online multiplayer.
Traditionally, Dural is an amalgamation of several different Virtua Fighter characters‘ fighting styles, which gives her a distinct advantage against other combatants. While the character is known to be fun for “Dural-Only” tournaments, her presence as a selectable fighter in online multiplayer has the potential to severely disrupt the game’s balance. Regarding Dural’s inclusion in Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., Seiji Aoki notes that the team ultimately felt that “Dural is not necessary as a playable character in a highly competitive setting.”
Player Response to Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. Could Influence Dural’s Return
While it might be disappointing to learn that the release of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. on PC – with the 2.0 update to Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown bringing parity with R.E.V.O. – will see the “definitive” versions of Virtua Fighter 5 delivering less content than previous releases, Dural’s absence is not an end-all-be-all exclusion according to Aoki. When asked whether Dural could come to Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. in the future, he notes “There are no plans to change [Dural’s absence] at this time, but we will consider adding her if there is strong user demand.”
- ESRB
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T For Teen: Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence