The release ofVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.on PC is an important moment for the long-runningVirtua Fighterfranchise. Not only doesR.E.V.O.’s launch mark the return ofVirtua Fighterto 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 ofVirtua Fighter 5home 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 theVirtua Fighterseries, having appeared in every game from the 1993 original up through every release ofVirtua Fighter 5beforeR.E.V.O. Her absence fromVirtua 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 aboutR.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.
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 ofVirtua Fighter 5to limit Dural’s appearance in the game. The PS4 release ofVirtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdownincluded 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 inVirtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown. With bothUltimate ShowdownandR.E.V.O.intended to serve as the definitivehome releases ofVirtua 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 differentVirtua Fightercharacters' 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 inVirtua 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 ofVirtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.on PC – with the2.0 update toVirtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdownbringing parity withR.E.V.O.– will see the “definitive” versions ofVirtua Fighter 5delivering 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 toVirtua 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.”
