I've thought about getting into this game for a few days now, but I have some questions, mainly regarding whether or not I will enjoy it. I've never really played a fighting game in my life, and I usually play FPS and RPGs. Will I have trouble liking the game because of this? Also, if I do end up getting it, will I be fine playing with a normal controller? I've read about people getting all fancy with these joysticks or whatever you call them (forgive, for I am but a noob), so that's got me concerned since I don't really plan on paying extra just to get something to play the game with. Thanks in advance.

It really just depends on if you like the game or not.  There's not really any discerning of it by personal taste (unless you dislike fighting games, which would obviously mean you wouldn't like this).  I will say that you will do fine with the Xbox 360 controller in the beginning and if you want to play casually, but if you want to get competitive you'd really need to go for something better because your execution wouldn't be as good as it could.
 
Thing is, if you want to get competitive there's some 'learning' involved.  It's not like playing MW2 where everything is straight forward and you just need to get good at those things.  With Street Fighter IV, you need to learn the combos, the combo strings, learn the various techniques and lingo, learn the matchups and if you want to be hardcore, study stuff like the frames and crap.  You don't need to particularly do those to get good at the game, but if you don't you probably won't be.

I've never skydived before. Do you think I will like it? I mean, I've flown in planes and even took a tour of the city in a helicopter, but will that affect my opinion of whether or not I like skydiving?
 
Sorry, I'm being facetious, but that's not exactly something someone else can answer for you -- you'll never know until you try it yourself. I will say that if you jump right into online play with no clue of what you're doing and get your ass handed to you repeatedly, chances are you'll walk away with a sour taste in your mouth. So after getting used to the single player, your best bet is to find a friend (or even someone here on GB) who can help ease you into the online by letting you practice with them and building up confidence. Sure you'll still get your ass handed to you when you jump into fighting strangers most likely, but at least you'll be a lot more prepared and raise your chances of not only winning, but actually enjoying the game.
 
And the regular controllers are fine (360 at least, dunno about PS3). I HIGHLY recommend sticking with the joystick instead of D-Pad, but then there are people out there who would say the exact opposite. Try both and see which feels better.
 
If you do get it, hopefully you enjoy it, and I'd be happy to help ya practice if you happen to get the 360 (or PC) version.

you don't need a fancy joystick fight pad thing those are only for people that are more comfortable with then controllers.
I have not been to an arcade in 15 years so I'm much better at playing with controller than I would be with a fight pad.

" I HIGHLY recommend sticking with the joystick instead of D-Pad, but then there are people out there who would say the exact opposite. Try both and see which feels better. "

I don't play fighting games much and I enjoyed SFIV. I had fun playing on my PS3 controller, though since you're on 360, there could be a difference.

" @Symphony said:

" I HIGHLY recommend sticking with the joystick instead of D-Pad, but then there are people out there who would say the exact opposite. Try both and see which feels better. "

So did you manage to stick with your arcade stick it and finally get used to it?  Edit: Oh wow, just realized I'm not even following you... Rectifying that. "

Is there a demo or anything out there that I can try?

try the SF2 turbo HD remix demo and imagine the combos being a bit easier and there you go haha.

I'm a big fighting game fan so of course i adore Street Fighter IV. You just have to try it, and it's totally affordable today.  
 
Street Fighter IV is more user friendly than a lot of fighters. You won't have a problem playing with the standard 360 controller. Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.  
 
I can't really help here, but I say go for it. as Flux said, you could try the SSFIITHDR demo on XBLA. If it's your thing, then go for it. 

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

I play with my Ps3 controller and it's fine, I'm not very good at it, but I can do all of the moves consistantly and I can pull off some combos 
It's basically about practicing, eventually you'll get good at it, also the game is pretty cheap, I got it for 30$, you can probably find it for less

" @AjayRaz said:

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

Do I HAVE to use the D-Pad, because if so that sucks. "

" @AjayRaz said:

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

Do I HAVE to use the D-Pad, because if so that sucks. "

" @natetodamax said:

" @AjayRaz said:

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

Do I HAVE to use the D-Pad, because if so that sucks. "

Dude no. I much prefer the analogue stick on the 360 controller. Hardcore SF players may deem that insane, but it works. "

" @natetodamax said:

" @AjayRaz said:

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

Do I HAVE to use the D-Pad, because if so that sucks. "

At first, when I use to play on the 360 controller, I was using the D-Pad because that's what everyone seemed to be saying to play with.  But later on, I found myself being much, much better with the left analog stick so I suppose it's personal preference.  The 360's D-Pad is total shit for fighting games, though. "

" @natetodamax said:

" @AjayRaz said:

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

Do I HAVE to use the D-Pad, because if so that sucks. "

At first, when I use to play on the 360 controller, I was using the D-Pad because that's what everyone seemed to be saying to play with.  But later on, I found myself being much, much better with the left analog stick so I suppose it's personal preference.  The 360's D-Pad is total shit for fighting games, though. "

" @Rayfield said:

" @natetodamax said:

" @AjayRaz said:

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

Do I HAVE to use the D-Pad, because if so that sucks. "

Dude no. I much prefer the analogue stick on the 360 controller. Hardcore SF players may deem that insane, but it works. "

@FluxWaveZ said:

" @natetodamax said:

" @AjayRaz said:

Maybe with the D-Pad, though, since it's total garbage on the 360's controller.

Do I HAVE to use the D-Pad, because if so that sucks. "

At first, when I use to play on the 360 controller, I was using the D-Pad because that's what everyone seemed to be saying to play with.  But later on, I found myself being much, much better with the left analog stick so I suppose it's personal preference.  The 360's D-Pad is total shit for fighting games, though. "

Phew. People were making it seem as if you had to use the D-Pad, which, if that was the case, I would have just said screw it and pushed this game out of my mind. "

" @natetodamax: I would say just wait for Super Street Fighter IV to come out before you try to commit yourself to anything, but I'm sure that you could find vanilla SFIV somewhere for $20ish.   I'm in a weird position where I'm not bad at the game, but not good enough to compete with the rest of the GB SFIV community on a serious level (although playing with someone like Stang has definitely helped me get better). Whatever your decision is, I will be willing to play with you. "

" Is there a demo or anything out there that I can try? "

You do know there are other guides on this website even that explains the stuff that the begginner guide didn't

" I've never skydived before. Do you think I will like it? I mean, I've flown in planes and even took a tour of the city in a helicopter, but will that affect my opinion of whether or not I like skydiving?  Sorry, I'm being facetious, but that's not exactly something someone else can answer for you -- you'll never know until you try it yourself. I will say that if you jump right into online play with no clue of what you're doing and get your ass handed to you repeatedly, chances are you'll walk away with a sour taste in your mouth. So after getting used to the single player, your best bet is to find a friend (or even someone here on GB) who can help ease you into the online by letting you practice with them and building up confidence. Sure you'll still get your ass handed to you when you jump into fighting strangers most likely, but at least you'll be a lot more prepared and raise your chances of not only winning, but actually enjoying the game.  And the regular controllers are fine (360 at least, dunno about PS3). I HIGHLY recommend sticking with the joystick instead of D-Pad, but then there are people out there who would say the exact opposite. Try both and see which feels better.  If you do get it, hopefully you enjoy it, and I'd be happy to help ya practice if you happen to get the 360 (or PC) version. "

" On the contrary, I've never skydived before but I am absolutely sure I would love it. "

" @natetodamax: I would say just wait for Super Street Fighter IV to come out before you try to commit yourself to anything, but I'm sure that you could find vanilla SFIV somewhere for $20ish.   I'm in a weird position where I'm not bad at the game, but not good enough to compete with the rest of the GB SFIV community on a serious level (although playing with someone like Stang has definitely helped me get better). Whatever your decision is, I will be willing to play with you. "

" @ArbitraryWater said:

" @natetodamax: I would say just wait for Super Street Fighter IV to come out before you try to commit yourself to anything, but I'm sure that you could find vanilla SFIV somewhere for $20ish.   I'm in a weird position where I'm not bad at the game, but not good enough to compete with the rest of the GB SFIV community on a serious level (although playing with someone like Stang has definitely helped me get better). Whatever your decision is, I will be willing to play with you. "

The skill spread of the GB community is pretty wide; its not like everyone's a pro. So regardless of one's own skill level, they should be able to find at least a handful of people that provide a challenge but won't trounce them. "

Are you ok with losing....a lot? If so, pick it up. Once you get through the initial ass sucking period where you get dominated by everybody, the game can be quite fun. Playing with the 360 controller in completely doable, if you want visual proof go find some of the older matches of Ultima vs WestAB, West was using pad back then and was a monster. Some of us (me) just don't have pristine execution and stick helps in that department. Besides, it is on like $20 now.