SVC Chaos Limited Continues

[Lashen]

I don't know if I'm in the right place, for all I know Code Mystics just handles netcode.

SVC Chaos is one of my favorite fighting games. I'm no stranger to it, and have been playing off and on patiently awaiting a modern port. It's been nearly 20 years since its last release in the United States (original Xbox).

I don't understand the thought process that went into limiting continues to 5, in this, of all games. I don't know if it's a lazy effort to mitigate players using the continue work around for boss requirements (originally you could lose on purpose and continue if you lost a round), or an inconsiderate throwback to the NeoGeo AES, but we don't live in the '90s stone age of arcade ports having limited continues for padding. Former ports of SVC Chaos did not have this feature. I'm leaning toward negligence as the reason because someone asked me this morning if the issue could be bypassed using a second controller, and as it turns out, the answer is no. The only reason that's surprising to me is because "Press Start" still blinks in the right hand corner of the screen for the entirety of single player mode. Pressing start doesn't even do anything at character select.

SVC Chaos has brutal input-reading ai, even as SNK games go. It's unbalanced, dependent on matchups, and the last three fights are a boss gauntlet. I'd just as soon prefer to play KOF '95 on 5 quarters. To make matters worse all of the achievements / trophies are done in singer player: an experience turned into an absolute slog. "Beat it with every character in the game."

Is this doable? Absolutely. Like I said, I've played this game a long time. Do I feel accomplished for what I have done so far in this port? No, I feel trolled by developers every time I've had to restart. I'm fully aware I can lower the difficulty, or even choose the handicaps upon continuing, but I don't want to. "If you don't beat this in 5 continues or less you don't deserve to continue." Honestly?

This alienates players as well and potentially harms the interest in related titles. I spend a lot of time in the fighting game community, and while much of any given game's popularity is in online netcode, I've already seen multiple people say they're not even buying it due to my complaint.

As far as I know this isn't normal of your ports. Ultimately my issue is that single player is not meant to be taken this seriously, and in the pantheon of fighting games, SVC Chaos definitely doesn't need help being difficult. My ability to enjoy this game casually offline is at an all time low. It's almost spiteful, like whoever made this decision doesn't want people to play it. Skill should be measured and honored by muliplayer / related trophies, not whatever this is.

I'm requesting as kindly as I can that you reconsider and patch this feature.

[CodeMystics]

Your feedback is appreciated.

Though we would like to note that the limit on continues is authentic to the original game in free play mode, and our mandate was not to change functionality. Nonetheless, we have passed your concern and that of others to SNK for their consideration.

[Lashen]

Your feedback is appreciated.

Though we would like to note that the limit on continues is authentic to the original game in free play mode, and our mandate was not to change functionality. Nonetheless, we have passed your concern and that of others to SNK for their consideration.

Appreciate you sending it SNK's way. I know not everything is handled by the developer. I'm a little confused about the decision for immitating the original game, though, as this wasn't the choice for Last Blade 2. We haven't seen limited continues in any port of a fighting game for a very long time.

Whatever the case, thanks for responding so quickly. It's been difficult navigating various message boards due to the censorship thing. Couldn't care less about that one.

[IamNevG]

SNK chose to use the AES version of the game instead of the MVS version of the game. The MVS version is the Arcade ROM with the ability to toggle it to "Free Play" as one could do in a Big Red MVS cabinet with dip switches (in the North American Market). I hope they allow Code Mystics to change this as having limited continues severely limits the appeal of single-player. I work, have very little time to play video games, and enjoy the story modes in fighting games. I still enjoy playing through Street Fighter II (any version) to this day since I first played SF II back in 1991.

[CodeMystics]

Continues are now unlimited, among other improvements in today's Steam/GOG update. A corresponding console update will be coming soon.