Better than SF3, thats for sure.
Garou happens to fix every error that snk has made back then and creates a decent experience that perfectly rivals that of capcoms SF3 in every sense of the word. Though, like most snk games, it falls into the 1-week category.
Story: I don't know it. All I know is Rock grew up and is on the verge of becoming evil thanx to heritage and an uncle getting involved. Terry is still an arrogant jack ass.
Graphics: Just a little note. Every compares the graphics and animation to SF for no reason at all. It doesn't compare. Thankfully, Art of Fighting 3takes care of PERFECT animation, though the game play is horrible still.
Music/Sound
Very forgettable. Sound effects are mildly annoying as some sound clips get reused for different special attacks....which kinda sucks.
Characters: Snk is a company that prides themselves in stereotypical anime cliches with the heroes being arrogant, trash talky and try to hard to be "cool", the little annoying kid with incredibly annoying powers, the big guy and his little partner out to save the world, the sadistic crazy guy with "claws of darkness", the bigger guy who likes to think of himself as the "Hero" (Tizoc), the overly serious guy who gets his ass kicked anyways, the (female) relative who searches for her brother, the babe with big boobs whose features are flanderized to give you an erection (and will always be the most popular and re-occurring character simply BECAUSE of her sexuality) and what appears to be SNKs attempt at making two rivals for Yun & Yang. Plus the bad guy is some pretty boy in a nice suit, which is actually a first for SNK despite it not really being a step up. Most of the characters are unappealing unless you're another sad and delusional anime fan.
gameplay: feels like street fighter except with more balance this time. All the characters can really hold their own, which is saying alot. The game features the standard SNK layout with two punches and two kicks thankfully, instead of some "special" D button function like Fatal Fury or AOF. The gameplay is standard fighting affair with a new twist. The "just defend" system which has to be the silliest name to ever come up with. JD's are like parries but with less BS and risk. You tap BACK at the time of being hit, which unlike parries, don't risk you taking heavy damage, plus you actually HEAL some health after doing a JD. It doesn't freeze the other player and give you a free attack, but hey it's not suppose to. see unlike SF3, the character roster is full of characters that can handle themselves with out much trouble. Thats perfect balance, plus its the more accessible than most other 2D fighters out there if you know how to play 2D fighters well enough. The problem is though that despite this being SNKs absolute best game (only GOOD game to be honest) it gets boring REAL fast. Not really different from other fighters though but of course there's not much in this game to warrant much of a repeat playthrough since most players are still fapping SF3 for it's AWESOME GRAPHICS!
Replay Value
The game pulls the usual bs with two unlockable characters who are just the bosses you fight in arcade mode. So like I said, it gets boring and you won't be playing fr a while.
Overall
It's SNKs only good fighter so I recommend it, but for something that lasts you longer, I'd say bloody roar or some stupid rpg.