Back in the mid-1990s, when Capcom was feeling pressure from 3D fighters like Tekken and Virtua Fighter, they published their own 3D version of Street Fighter called Street Fighter EX. It was actually outsourced to a company called Arika, founded by ex-Capcom employee Akira Nishitani, who had previously worked as a designer on Street Fighter II. While the game had plenty of familiar faces like Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li, it also had a roster of new and original characters that expanded over the next few entries in the Street Fighter EX series. However, due to Arika’s involvement, none of these characters ever ended up appearing in any other Street Fighter games. Arika later created a 3D arcade fighter called Fighting Layer, which included even more original characters, though it was left to flounder in obscurity.
Two decades later, Arika — most recently known for partnering with Nintendo on Tetris 99, Super Mario Bros. 35 and Pac-Man 99 — returned to the fighting game arena with Fighting EX Layer, which now arrives on Switch as Fighting EX Layer: Another Dash. Curiously, it doesn’t have any characters from the original Fighting Layer, but it does feature the original characters that they had created for the Street Fighter EX series.
And they’re an interesting bunch, to say the least. While characters like Arabian dancer Pullum may have fit alongside Capcom’s classic characters, others like psychopathic mercenary Doctrine Dark and wacky sentai hero parody Skullomania didn’t quite fit, so it’s cool to see them given their own game where they can stand out. Some of the other more interesting fighters include rough-and-tumble bodyguard Cracker Jack, aristocratic brawler Blair, skull-faced armored warrior Garuda, American Shotokan fighter Allen Snyder, genius scientist girl Area, and gun wielder Sharon. Terry Bogard also makes a cameo appearance from Fatal Fury, probably to pay back Skullomania’s cameo in SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy. There are 18 characters, which obviously can’t compare to The King of Fighters or Street Fighter V, but it’s a decent enough selection to mess around.
Since Fighting EX Layer is basically a spin-off (a couple times removed) of Street Fighter II, it plays pretty similarly, using six buttons and taking place entirely on a 2D plane. It does feature a fairly lax combo system, allowing you to easily chain together combos using regular, special, and super attacks. The fighting engine is easily the strongest aspect of the game, since it’s approachable and familiar to anyone even remotely familiar with 2D fighters, but offering enough flexibility that veterans can have a lot of fun with it.
Arika has been keen to note that this Switch version, subtitled Another Dash, isn’t merely a port but rather a totally new version of the game. In its original release, Fighting EX Layer used the “Gougi” system, which were a set of powers activated based on accomplishing certain goals in the fight. Well, that system has been entirely removed from Another Dash, for some reason. It wasn’t always popular with hardcore fighting games, who compared to Street Fighter vs Tekken’s widely maligned gem system, but it was also the key system that differentiated Fighting EX Layer from Street Fighter V, and it’s weird that it’s missing.
To take its place are a few new EX abilities — activating dashing (EX Dash), homing jump (EX Arrow), and counterattack (EX Illusion) moves at the expense of some meter — all of which can be used to launch into combo chains. The overhead attack has also been changed to a guard break move, a hallmark of the Street Fighter EX games. Unfortunately, these come with the removal of the normal dashing and backstepping moves, probably to emphasize the EX Dash, resulting in a game that feels a little slower than before. Why these were mandatory changes and not just an alternate arranged mode is unclear.
Since the original Street Fighter EX games were created for the late PS1/early PS2 era, the characters received a substantial visual overhaul. Arika obviously doesn’t have the budget of Capcom, SNK, or Arc System Works, so the graphics aren’t comparable to these bigger names, with shiny, plastic-looking character models that don’t really do a good job of capturing their 2D portraits. The Switch version is even further compromised, removing shadow and lighting effects, as well as textures, and running at a lower resolution. It can be especially ugly when the characters are wearing their shiny alternate costumes, which look so poor that they probably should’ve been removed completely.
The practical upside to this is that the game runs very smoothly, hitting a constant 60 FPS pretty much all of the time. Considering that many of the big-name fighting games skipped the Switch entirely, and the ones that did see release suffer from assorted technical issues, it’s nice to see a game that was properly optimized for the platform, even if the end result doesn’t look pretty.
The original version of Fighting EX Layer used rollback netcode, making for an extremely smoothly playing online experience. Another Dash doesn’t presently, instead using “backstep interrupt” netcode, with the promise of a revised method using rollback at some point in the future. At the time of this review, the Japanese version has been available for two months and the North American/European version has been available for two weeks, yet during our sessions, we were only able to find one Casual match, and the population (and skill level) of Ranked matches fluctuated wildly. However, connections were always solid, even in portable mode over Wi-Fi, with only a few minor hiccups in the action.
Enjoyment of Fighting EX Layer is 100% dependent on online play, and of course Arika can’t control the game’s player population. But it is on their shoulders to offer some kind of alternative, and the single player experience is absolutely anemic. There’s just a standard Arcade mode with three difficulty levels, and endings consisting of a paragraph of text. There’s no tutorial either, just a bog standard training mode. When the game was brand new back in 2018 and Arika was slowly adding modes, this may have been acceptable, but having such barebones content three years after release is a poor showing.
The release strategy for this Switch port is a little less confusing than previous configurations, though. Another Dash has a free version which is basically a single player demo that includes four characters – Kaira, Shirase, Darun, and D. Dark. For $24.99 USD/ £16.49 UK / €19,99 EU, all of the rest of the content, including all modes, characters, and costumes, are unlocked. It’s reasonably priced considering it’s a late port of a three-year-old game, and makes it competitive against other more expensive titles.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Fighting EX Layer: Another Dash is a fighting game fan’s fighting game — its primary audiences are 'refugees from Street Fighter V' and 'people who have nostalgia for Street Fighter EX'. Players in these two groups will find themselves very much at home with this game, especially since the fighting engine is so solid, and some of the characters are just offbeat enough to make it interesting. But considering it’s so dependent on online play, with barely existent single player content, it’s difficult to recommend to more casual players. It is, however, free to download, so you've got nothing to lose by giving it a try.
Comments (47)
Yeah, it's ugly, but it can't be worse looking than the PS1 games lol! Really hope this gets a physical at some point.
What fighters run poorly on the switch? It was mentioned in the review, but to my knowledge, only really MK11 runs poorly on the switch. Unless you count Dragon Ball FighterZ's load times. Anyone want to let me know? I have a fair amount of the switch fighters and just want to know which ones to avoid thanks. Also Might give this a try, if i can decide between getting another fighter or getting another shootemup
@GrailUK have you ever played a PS1 3d fighting game?
Ugly? It looks pretty impressive to me and runs super smooth. Being able to play Skullomania, Garuda, D. Dark, Kairi, Darun, Hokuto, and Pullum on the go feels like an April Fools' come true.
I tried the demo, I wasn't really impressed...probably not a bad game, but not for me.
dude on the right in the first pic looks like he just shot a load
The fact that it has "dash" in the name but they removed basic dashing is... an interesting choice.
@Whitestrider Of course I have
I have it on PS4 and it’s a decent fighter. Had the hardest time trying to find people online though.
@GrailUK so maybe you don't remember how bad they were (graphically speaking, of course)
@Whitestrider That's what I was saying. It is an ugly game (I find the backgrounds a bit cluttered and a couple of the fighters get lost against certain ones, but compared to SF EX games, it looks like a work of art lol.
irks me that the "free version" isn't just a demo, considering that's what it ostensibly is
the amount of people who liked the gougi system seem to be this reviewer (kurt kalata of HG101 fame???) and, uh, someone else, probably. it always felt like a weird and unnecessary afterthought to try and deepen the gameplay with little success. on the other hand, street fighter EX has always had a bit of a jank charm to it though, so I could see the visual style being divisive (personally I love how the first three games look and sound, and EX layer isn't a slouch either)
I've dabbled with the demo playing as the wrestling guy with the championship belt on his shoulder, and the fighting engine itself does seem pretty solid. I'm thinking of picking this one up this weekend but I just hope the online play is good.
I've enjoyed the time I've spent with the four available fighters. Eventually I will pick it up on a sale.
@DsheroX - I've played MK11 on the Switch a lot, and trust me, it DOESN'T run poorly at all. It firmly belongs in the 'How did they do it?' category of Switch ports, honestly.
I've downlaoded a fair number of fighters onto the switch both retro and modern and have had a satisfying time on all. I will therefore almost definitely download this. The overly heavy emphasis on on-line does make me hesitate a little, but I'll probably still go for it.
Thanks for the review.
Tried it myself, but I just wasn't a fan of having to depend on the meter just to dash. Sure, combos are simple enough, but doesn't feel exactly satisfying.
It's a good game for those looking to enter the fighting game world, but there are some things that should've been added from the start tbh.
(And why is the training mode behind the paywall? I know of another fighting game that doesn't do this...)
I liked the Gougi system too, and am sorry to see it thrown out altogether. It definitely could have used some tweaking...it sometimes felt a little oppressive...but it also added a layer of strategy and variety that gave it a real identity. Without it, there's very little to set it apart from other, more conventional fighting games that arguably have more to offer on that flatter playing field.
This is the last fighting game I really liked. The changes listed actually make me want to pick it up again--but maybe I'll give it a week or two and check out Discord or something to see if people are actually playing it. Such a good game though--just complex enough with fun characters.
Haven't gone online yet, but having fun with this one. Just glad I don't have to dig out my ps4 stick. Woo!
Still gotta settle on a main...
@Ryu_Niiyama I loved all the big characters in this game. Ended up maining Darun but loved Jack, Garuda, and Shadow
@GrailUK I don't think it's ugly, but ok...
"A game that was already kinda ugly?" I think it's one of the best looking fighting games out there on PS4. This version looks like *****, yes.
@Whitestrider Eye of the beholder and all that I'm not about to say you are wrong lol.
Wait...the gougi was one of the best parts!
Why did the gfx have to be cut so much? Doesn't look too taxing (looks like a PS3 fighter to me).
Not my cup o' tea but odd to say the least.
@EmmatheBest Exactly I have no idea what he is talking about. This game looks like absolute crap compared to MK11
I was a VERY big fan of the Street Fighter EX Series. EX 2 Plus Alpha is probably my favourite SF ever so I was really looking forward to this. Downloaded it as soon as it showed up on the eshop but it's been an absolute letdown
@Alztru How was this new game a letdown? Just curious on your opinion as a big EX fan.
"Removal of elements like the dashing and Gougi systems from the original"
Thats not a con, thats a gameplay design they changed for this title because they werent highly recieved by the community in the the previous title since Gougi being similar to a very infamous Gem mechanic (also just being way too wacky for competitive) in the Marvel vs Capcom games, causing some to drop the title and how dash was implemented previously made the gameplay overly rushdown with mimimal gameplay expression. Dash > do a simple chain combo > special LOOP special 2.
@DsheroX I have MK 11 for the Switch and it actually runs pretty good. Sure, the visuals aren't up to par with the PS AND Xbox versions. And there are moments when they really are muddy. But gameplay-wise, I have nothing to complain about. It runs really well.
@Magrane The game just feels funny...and not in a good way. The graphics and effects are quite terrible (and this is coming from someone who NEVER complains at all about graphics in any Switch ports). It's not so much that they are terrible but it seems even worse than I remember EX Plus Alpha 2 being. The character designs for the most part seem to look worse than EX Alpha 2 - I mean like their look, clothes and stances. I was a big fan of Kairi, D-Dark, Sharon and V. Rossi but I don't even like the way they look here. And the gameplay didn't even excite me at all. Don't take my word for it though - try the demo out for yourself. You might have a different opinion.
Might have to pick this up, I loved Street Fighter EX.
It looks like crap and dead online.
Avoid. No fighting game shouldn't have cross platform in 2021. Don't support any fighter that doesn't.
Back in the 90s, the mere concept of Street Fighter in 3D was enough to make a young boy salivate at the mouth. I'd look at those maniacs playing their fast-paced SF Alpha and pity the poor fools. Not a single polygon in sight!
And then eventually it was this series that broke bold ground in Japanese game naming conventions, with "Street Fighter Ex 2 Plus Alpha" showing the world that more is more.
@Figo This is weird and it can be fun, but annoying when any character can teleport or do some weird stuff like that, they took some of the best gouji parts and put them together to make a more balance street figther ex 2 feeling that i really like.
@Ardisan agreed. This is why i love this switch game so much. And its a real gem to have. I would never thought this game would get export to the switch.
@Magrane if your a big EX fan, the removal of the gouji system and lots of character balances and single gouji moves were kept in to make this feel more like street fighter ex than the PS4 and PC version!
Cons:
@Prizm Note that the name Fighting EX Layer reference Street Fighter EX which was Capcom's answer to a 3D Street Fighter at the time.
Fighting = It's Street Fighter
EX = It's a spinoff
Layer = It's in 3D
So basically it translate to as a Street Fighter spinoff in 3D.
@Ghost_of_Hasashi - Yep I understood that from the review, but it's still nonsense.
I played the demo and was disappointed that there's no real practice mode. I often like to practice me moves on "dummies" before I take on opponents that fight back.
@Prizm How is it nonsense when it make sense? Nonsense mean it doesn't make sense.
They couldn’t call it Fighting Layer EX which would have made most sense. I guess FLEX owns the trademark which is what Fighting Layer EX would be referred to as. Same as how World Wrestling Federation had to change its name due to World Wildlife Fund.
@DrDaisy there is a practice mode, but you need to fork out for the full game to access it
@whitespy12 I guess I just assumed it wasn't there because it wasn't even shown grayed out on the main menu.
@pepepopo The PS4 doesn’t have this version of the game. There is nothing to cross platform it with.
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