Street Fighter EX3 features a similar gameplay system to its predecessor Street Fighter EX2 Plus with characters being able to pull off similar moves like Super Combos and Meteor Combos. However, a difference here is that the "Guard Break" system from the previous installments has been removed and replaced with a similar system called the "Surprise Blow", which does not use up energy stored in "super bars," although the attack can be blocked. Other additions are the "Critical Parade" and "Momentary Combo". Some characters received new moves, such as Skullomania having a vertical projectile. The core gameplay is essentially the same as previous installments. However, Street Fighter EX3 features Tag Battles, similar to Tekken Tag Tournament, allowing players to switch between characters and offering greater combination possibilities.
Modes
In Original Mode, the player can recruit a team of up to four characters that were the last to be defeated by the end of the level, and can choose the next opponent, as is possible in Street Fighter III. The bonus stage is a simplified version of the beat 'em up genre. In this mode, there are also missions, which the player can complete in order to gain Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies, which in turn unlock various features. In Arena Mode, Dramatic Battles are possible, with 2-VS-2, 1-VS-3, or even 2-VS-1 with flexibility via a multitap over each character being controlled by human or computer. Original mode uses new music based on the background stage, while the VS and Team Battle modes reuse themes from earlier games, which are based on the chosen characters. In Character Edit Mode, the player can complete a series of challenges with the new character, Ace, and earn experience points, which can then be used to obtain new Special Moves and Super Combos for Ace, which can then be applied to him to create a custom move list. A configuration example would be the Shoryuken, Sonic Boom, and Spinning Piledriver, as used by Seth in Street Fighter IV. Ace is also playable in the other available game modes.
Characters
Multiple costumes are available for each character, depending on the button used on the character in the Character Select screen. Default characters
A portrait of Mr. T can be seen in the background of Bison's stage.
Reception
Street Fighter EX3 received generally positive reviews from gaming critics. Gamecritics gave the game 7.5/10, stating that it had "a group of pleasantly complex battlers that are very distinct in both visual and play design. Adding variety and flavor to the mix, the variances in philosophy and conceptualization are extremely refreshing", adding that the "interestingly offbeat touches are far superior to the dull and ugly side of the spectrum found in Street Fighter III" cnet gave the game 7.4/10, acknowledging that the game was a launch title by stating "The tag-team fighting adds a nice new element that the previous game totally lacked. EX3 may feel a bit rushed in some spots, but overall it's a fun and great-looking fighting game that won't disappoint". In Japan, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 32 out of 40. In its week of release, the game made the top 10 in the Japanese sales charts, with 207,000 copies. Chester Barber reviewed the PlayStation 2 version of the game for Next Generation, rating it one star out of five, and stated that "The EX series has always fallen short of the quality of many of the 2D Street Fighter games. However, if you're a fan, you probably won't be able to stop yourself from checking it out." Spong said it was "a game of skill, practice and timing", and that it had nice features and fantastic special effects. They summarised it as "one game that deserves taking a look at whether you are a fan of the series or not". GameSpot praised the sound, saying the game was "packed with great effects, such as deep, bassy whooshing noises that accompany super-combo fireballs and the like. All of the hits and misses sound terrific, and the character voices are nice and crystal clear". Negative criticism has come fromScrewAttack which ranked Street Fighter EX3 number 4 on ScrewAttack's "Top 10 Worst Fighting Games".
