587 replies to this topic

[Four Wude]

THIS IS NOT STREET FIGHTER EX4, THIS IS STREET FIGHTER 4.

With that said, I'll break down how the two Super meters work now, and the logic behind it:

As some of you know, Street Fighter 4 uses a traditional 1 bar super meter that is broken up into 4 segments to pull off EX moves. For those that are not familiar with EX moves, they were introduced in Street Fighter 3 as more powerful variations of special moves done by doing the same command while pressing either 2 punches or 2 kicks depending on the move. For example, Ryu could throw a powered Hadouken that does 2 hits instead of 1 by doing the down, down-forward, forward motion + 2 punches. This feature is still in full effect in this game. Each EX move takes up one block on the super meter, out of a total 4. In order to do a Super, you have to keep the whole bar filled, and it will flash notifying you that you have it stocked up. So you have to choose wisely on whether you should use a Super or EX moves depending on how you utilize your meter. I also have to note that it takes A LONG TIME to build up your Super meter. Longer than any other SF game before it, from what I've seen. It can sometimes take up to 1 and a half rounds of play to fully build it up, depending on how aggressive you are. So sometimes, you might only pull off no more than 2 Supers per match, if you factor EX move usage into your play. Super cancels are still in the game just like SF3.

The reason it takes much longer to rebuild meter is because whiffed pokes DO NOT build meter like they do in Street Fighter 3. And that is a great thing.

Onto the Revenge gauge.

The Revenge gauge is a new feature to Street Fighter 4 that is very similar to the Rage gauge used in the Samurai Showdown series. It builds up as you take damage, and once it builds past a certain point on the meter, it allows you to unleash a character's Ultra move. The Ultra is performed usually by doing the same Super motion but using 3 Punches or 3 Kicks depending on the move's requirement. Essentially, these Ultra moves are Level 3 Supers from the older games renamed. Unlike the Super meter, this meter resets after every round and these moves are extremely powerful, usually taking at LEAST 50% of the opponent's health. They are to be feared, and that is their purpose. They are meant to give a fighting chance till the very end of the fight. These moves are game changers.

Typically, in previous Street Fighter games, once an opponent got a sizable lead in the round, the round would usually end in their favor. Which is fine, after all they earned it by playing better. This still holds true for Street Fighter 4, but as you punish your opponent, you are required to be even more alert because you are building up their Ultra at the same time. This move is very game breaking and will change the tide of the match, and this effect was intended. SF4 is promoting very aggressive play, and Ono's vision for SF4 involved it being tense from the start of the match all the way to the end. With this feature, there is constant tension in the match and it never feels like the match is truly over until it really is over. This is what gives Street Fighter 4 it's soul. This is what separates the game from the rest of the pack. And I have to say, it damn well kept me tense in my matches.

Now the Focus Attack:

Street Fighter 4 also introduced one more gameplay mechanic to the table called the Focus Attack. In my first play test of the game, I admitted to never using this feature. However, this time I gave it a thorough testing. This feature was introduced to simplify the Parry system found in the SF3 series while still keeping the heart and soul of Street Fighter intact. As most expert players of SF3 know, fireballs were mostly useless in the game. Since parrying was practically instant and after practice, almost guaranteed, there was no use in trying to play a distance zoning game with fireballs because the opponent could just consecutive parry those hits. No longer can you do that in Street Fighter 4.

The Focus Attack is activated by pressing the Medium Punch + Medium Kick buttons simultaneously, and this feature replaces the universal overhead attack from Street Fighter 3. It can be charged up to 3 different levels depending on how long you hold the buttons for. Fully charged, the Focus Attack becomes an unblockable hit that stuns the opponent temporarily, allowing you to follow up with almost any attack that you please. Including Ultras. While in Focus mode, it also gives you temporary Super Armor; in other words, it allows you to parry 1 hit for free, but ONLY 1 hit. Meaning you cannot pull a Daigo and parry all of Chun-Li's super anymore. It also allows you to dash cancel forwards or backwards, or cancel into a special move at the cost of meter. It does not make fireballs useless because you have to dash out of a successful Focus Attack parry in order to avoid frame disadvantage. So you're forced to back away and continue the process until the opponent gives up or you smarten up and find yourself a way out of the bind. The Focus Attack is probably the single most important feature about this game. It allows tons of combo possibilities, and you can use your meter in many creative ways to link specials into other specials. Since there are so many possibilities, I think it's good for me to link this video to demonstrate exactly what I mean:

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=TDkj22ZgH2g

As you can see, this game is VERY aggressive and still retains the spirit of Street Fighter, and you can already see the possibilities of dash canceling with Focus.

To wrap up this report, I'd like to tell all of the Street Fighter fans not to worry about the jump to 3D. The 2D frame intensive gameplay is still intact. Dashing is still in. Zoning, mind games, anti-airs, everything is still in and in full force. Street Figher 4 is the epitome of what a 2D fighting game should feel and play like with new high definition 3D visuals. I was skeptical with the jump to 3D initially but now all of my fears have been calmed. The gameplay feels a little bit slower but soon feels like second nature, and everything that you loved about the previous games is still in here.

If you guys have any more questions, just ask and I'll answer.

Oh, and anyone curious for records, I managed to go 24-1 with Akuma and Nathan also held his own, winning around 5-6 games consecutively with Ken. We both walked away with one thing in mind:

Day 1 purchase.

[神]

[Four Wude]

[/b]

No.

[Mr.Etcetera]

Makes me wish I didn't suck at SF.

Edit: Not Ryu's doodle, the gameplay footage.

[Black Hayato]

Brilliant read.

You've just reinforced my confidence in the latest incarnation of this great franchise.

On a side note:

I lol'd at the Daigo reference.

[Moose]

You always seem to amaze me with your reports Adeel.

[SnaKKer]

Excellent writeup.

I was playing Smash the other day and it just made me wish I was at the arcade playing SF4. It's the most fun I've had playing a true fighter since SF2, and the gameplay really draws you in and rewards you for patience and make it fun to get better. I haven't wanted to get better at a fighter like this, every time Adeel or someone tries to sit me down and make me play some other games I get pretty annoyed quickly, but the game allows for some early noobish success to lead into advanced learning.

A++

Now if I can just afford the sticks and a new ethernet cord...

[Four Wude]

Excellent writeup.

I was playing Smash the other day and it just made me wish I was at the arcade playing SF4. It's the most fun I've had playing a true fighter since SF2, and the gameplay really draws you in and rewards you for patience and make it fun to get better. I haven't wanted to get better at a fighter like this, every time Adeel or someone tries to sit me down and make me play some other games I get pretty annoyed quickly, but the game allows for some early noobish success to lead into advanced learning.

A++

Now if I can just afford the sticks and a new ethernet cord...[/b]

^ There you have it folks, from the Brawl player.

[Moose]

*takes it* All Mine.

[B l i t z]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excellent writeup.

I was playing Smash the other day and it just made me wish I was at the arcade playing SF4. It's the most fun I've had playing a true fighter since SF2, and the gameplay really draws you in and rewards you for patience and make it fun to get better. I haven't wanted to get better at a fighter like this, every time Adeel or someone tries to sit me down and make me play some other games I get pretty annoyed quickly, but the game allows for some early noobish success to lead into advanced learning.

A++

Now if I can just afford the sticks and a new ethernet cord...[/b]

^ There you have it folks, from the Brawl player.
[/b]

Yes, one Brawl player (he's kinda a Brawl player...), and he did say true fighter, no?

Can't wait for SF4.

[Four Wude]

Well I'm just saying, a lot of Brawl/Melee players tend to shun away traditional fighters without giving them a shot, so I used him as an example. That's all.

[Fryza]

Wish you would play some Vega and tell me how he works.

[B l i t z]

Well I'm just saying, a lot of Brawl/Melee players tend to shun away traditional fighters without giving them a shot, so I used him as an example. That's all.[/b]

Sad but true, but like you've said before, it's got so much appeal to it's fans it's all they wanna play.

Sorry, back to SF4.

Can't wait to use Ken <3

[SnaKKer]

Vega loses his claw for some reason in the middle of fights.

[Four Wude]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I'm just saying, a lot of Brawl/Melee players tend to shun away traditional fighters without giving them a shot, so I used him as an example. That's all.[/b]

Sad but true, but like you've said before, it's got so much appeal to it's fans it's all they wanna play.

Sorry, back to SF4.

Can't wait to use Ken <3
[/b]

Ken beasts with Medium Punch > Fierce Punch > Fierce Shoryuken. Almost 25% damage and looks nice as hell to boot.

[SnaKKer]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I'm just saying, a lot of Brawl/Melee players tend to shun away traditional fighters without giving them a shot, so I used him as an example. That's all.[/b]

Sad but true, but like you've said before, it's got so much appeal to it's fans it's all they wanna play.

Sorry, back to SF4.

Can't wait to use Ken <3
[/b]

Ken beasts with Medium Punch > Fierce Punch > Fierce Shoryuken. Almost 25% damage and looks nice as hell to boot.
[/b]

I'll let you know if I ever do it right...

[Four Wude]

[quote][quote] <{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/quote][quote][quote]

[Ira Aeterna]

Vega loses his claw for some reason in the middle of fights.[/b]

That feature has always existed.

[SnaKKer]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Vega loses his claw for some reason in the middle of fights.[/b]

That feature has always existed.
[/b]

Oh yeah.

[Nomad]

Is it me, or did Vega fight better without the claw?