We’re now just eleven short days from the release of Killer Instinct Season 3, and preorders have just opened for Xbox One. As we’ve come to expect, early adopters of this new batch of content will be rewarded with a number of extra benefits for throwing down some cash before the game officially drops.
On top of receiving access to all season 3 characters, accessories, and colors–note, only four of these characters will be available at launch–those who pick up the game early will receive a lifetime double experience booster as well as 18,000 KI Gold, which would normally set players back $40. All of this comes with a $39.99 price tag.
If you’d like to take advantage of this offer, you can do so over at the Xbox Store. Killer Instinct Season 3 is set to launch on Xbox One and PC on March 29.
We’ve got a big weekend ahead of us thanks to Final Round 19. This first official stop on the 2016 Capcom Pro Tour is sure to see players performing at their best, so viewers have a lot to look forward to. If you still need an extra bit of Street Fighter V footage to help you kick off the weekend, we’ve got plenty ready for you in today’s community roundup!
Poongko’s explosive style made him one of the most exciting players to watch in Street Fighter IV, and it’s no surprise that he has managed to translate his unique aggression to Street Fighter V. In a new video, jmcrofts takes an in-depth look at some of Poongko’s gameplay with Cammy in the new title. If you’re looking to up your Cammy game, or just see one of the masters at work, this footage will do you no wrong.
Dhalsim can be a slippery target to face, given his ability to teleport out of situations many other characters have to stand there and take. With proper knowledge, however, the long-armed Yogi’s options become much less enticing on wakeup. In a new video, Triox demonstrates how Shadowloo’s second in command, F.A.N.G, can slap ‘Sim with heavy punishes for his efforts at waking up with anything other than a block.
It’s important to make the most of these punish opportunities when they arise, but such punishable situations aren’t always obvious. In the case of Karin, who has quite a bit of reach attached to her sweep, punishing can be a little tricker than punishing those with stubby limbs; however, this video from kevinjct shows roster-wide options for putting the heiress in her place following a blocked trip attempt.
YogaFlame24 has been bringing high-quality replay footage to Street Fighter fans for some time now, and in a new series, they’ve begun breaking apart some of these replays into particularly outstanding plays. The most recent in this series highlights none other than HORI’s sako and how he goes about scoring a perfect. There’s more than enough high execution to go around in this set, so you don’t want to miss it!
And hey, who doesn’t love to see a good double KO? This next top 5, also from YogaFlame24, highlights some truly hilarious situations where both players connect that final hit at the same time.
If you’ve got some tricks of your own to share, send them our way! Your video could appear in our next Street Fighter V community roundup!
Frame trapping is, without question, one of the more difficult concepts for new fighting game players to grasp. On top of being odd to truly pin down, staring at frame data charts or scrolling one of the available frame data apps can be an intimidating process; there are just so many numbers.
In a new video, Bafael discusses this elusive topic at length with regards to Street Fighter V. But beyond going into what makes frame traps tick, he also discusses when they should be added in to one’s offensive pressure, why they may fail to snag some opponents (like late techers), and how to adjust your existing frame trap game to account for random variables.
If you’re looking to learn how to crack open your opponent, especially with a character like M. Bison, Cammy, or one of the other frame trap-heavy characters, you’ll not want to miss this video.
If you’re fiending for a Street Fight V tech fix, we’ve got just the thing you need in today’s community roundup!
We get things started with the first two parts of the newest episode of Shadowloo Bootcamp. Today’s footage is a little different than what we’re used to seeing from the series, as F.A.N.G has become the point of focus rather than M. Bison. Of course, if the Lair of the Four Kings has taught us anything, it’s that a sole king can’t run an organization as massive as Shadowloo, so the bootcamp was bound to have more than one star.
Host Ricardo “Mono” Roman spends these videos discussing the intricacies of spreading F.A.N.G’s poisonous influence through a vast array of combo options. And yes, Mono is totally rocking an appropriate Spy vs. Spy-style hat in the video, just like F.A.N.G.
But Mono didn’t stop there. In this next video, which highlights M. Bison’s frame trap potential, Mono reminds viewers why Bison is the man in charge.
With Chun-Li tiding me over until Ibuki makes her way on to the scene later this year (I told myself I could work that in), it pains me to present the following video from KSabot. Instant air Lighting Legs are a potent offensive tool, but they aren’t a perfect offensive tool. In this footage, you’ll learn how every character can use their own abilities to put a stop to this popular tactic. Be sure to check out the video’s annotations and description as well, as they’re loaded with relevant information.
This next clip, from HeyTaaj, demonstrates an ambiguous cross-under option R. Mika’s s.HP can afford her against cornered opponents. It’s not that R. Mika needs more options in the corner, it’s just that folks keep finding new ways to bully those who step into the ring against her. I’m frankly terrified.
What is gravity, anyway? Whatever it is, F.A.N.G sure doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. Check out this next quick clip from primou for a demonstration of the glitch that has shown us the second in command’s refusal to follow the laws of physics.
If you’re a Zangief player looking for some ways to apply your V-Skill and V-Trigger in a match, you’re certain to enjoy this first video from THE COOL KID93. That isn’t their only new bit of footage, though, as they’ve also sent in a reel filled with aerial Spinning Pile Drivers. We’ve included it below, too; these are just satisfying to watch.
We’ve all had plenty of time to fight Birdie, so we know the sorts of things to expect when facing the gluttonous punk rocker, but have we had a chance to fight a Birdie like Nutrient? In this next reel–a fairly long collection of footage, honestly–Nutrient highlights some of the matches they’ve fought near the top of the ladder.
We close things out today with a collection of new combo videos from evilhoshi. These videos are aimed at those looking to get started on the path to mastering a new character, so you’ll not find anything overly technical. What you will find is a great starting point for Rashid, Vega and Dhalsim.
Got some Street Fighter V tactics you’d like to share? Send them our way! They could be included in our next Street Fighter V community roundup!
In a new article for Ars Technica UK, Ryan Hart of Falcon Arena spends time discussing the topic on everyone’s tongues: the good Street Fighter V is doing–and will continue to do–for the community, in spite of the game’s shortcomings. As a long-time competitive player, Hart has a real stake in the success of Street Fighter V, and has more than enough experience with the series to discuss this topic at length.
He begins with a breakdown of the Street Fighter franchise’s evolution since it first hit arcades equipped with pressure-sensing pads up through Capcom’s current offering. On top of discussing why Street Fighter V’s vast differences from its predecessor are a good thing, Hart also brings up the fact that this new game offers an excellent opportunity for those looking to take an active role in the fighting game community outside of direct tournament participation. Hart notes that “[t]here are the YouTubers, website creators, moderators, book publishers, cosplayers, and mobile app creators who all also contribute to the Street Fighter community.”
This line of thought resonates when bumped up against something like our Street Fighter V roundups. The goals of any given roundup are fairly simple: provide veteran players with high-level tricks they may not have seen, help new players ease into the game with some basics, and draw in as many new content makers as possible to share their work with the wider community.
The first two goals beg little explanation. We want to provide our readers with the best, most current information to help the community grow as a whole, but consider that content creators, as Hart mentions, have been given a time to shine in this early period of the game’s existence as well.
Back in 2012, directly following Street Fighter x Tekken’s release, I set up a five foot pile of books, grabbed a roll of scotch tape, dangled my cell phone from the stack with its camera facing the TV, and used it to record some hilariously low-quality footage of what I thought at the time to be completely and totally revolutionary Ibuki anti-air combos. To my surprise, that footage made its way into an EventHubs roundup. Looking back at the video now, I see that anyone with any experience with the genre could have figured out those tactics in about five grueling minutes. My video didn’t save any experienced players any time, nor did it revolutionize the protection of Japanese skies. Did it help some Ibuki players less experienced than myself? Maybe. But it being featured in a roundup did something for me personally that the video itself couldn’t have done for anyone: made me feel like a part of the fighting game community, small though my role obviously was.
With that in mind, those creating today’s basic Street Fighter V combo videos may need little more than the acknowledgement that, yes, we do want more content creators to get them to make that second video. The next UltraChen TV, Maximilian, Cross Counter, or something new altogether could get its start from something so simple as footage revealing the secrets behind landing Ryu’s Critical Art.
And it’s not that we need to get rid of those mainstays–far from it–but, if things go to plan, Street Fighter V will continue to expand the fighting game community’s spotlight for years to come, and such an expansion leaves plenty of room for new folks to come in and show us their talent, be it in tournament rankings or YouTube channel views.
If you’d like to check out Ryan Hart’s opinions in full, be sure to head over to Ars Technica UK by following the link below.
Plenty of modern games sporting robust online functionality incorporate seasonal themes, but such themes rarely draw inspiration from the holiday celebrating Ireland’s most beloved patron saint. The folks at NetherRealm Studios have decided to pay their homage to that holiday with their new Look Out Leprechauns tower.
All the cliches are here. It’s got green beer. It’s got a shaky camera to represent the effects of imbibing too many spirits. It’s got damaging green rain, and leprechauns that assault the stage, exploding into rainbows and golden coins. Beautiful.
Upon completing the tower, players will be rewarded with special emblems, banners, and a four-leaf clover icon. Fortunately, those looking to complete their collections need not forego their own green alcohol consumption tonight, nor worry about tomorrow’s hangover, as the tower will be available all weekend.
The folks at Arc System Works just announced that BlazBlue: Central Fiction will be receiving an ‘Act3’ update later this month. This reveal comes in the form of a new trailer, which you’ll find below.
Back in January, Act2 expanded on Central Fiction’s story mode while also providing access to a new character, Hades Izanami.
Based on the trailer above, it appears as though Act3 delves solely into the further development of single-player content, and does not, sadly, add access to any new fighters. This new content comes in the form of updated arcade mode story as well as the implementation of Alliance Mode, which sees players lead a team of four characters. Players pit their team against other four-character teams, and can then trade their own team members with those of teams they’ve defeated in an effort to increase their own team’s strength moving forward.
BlazBlue: Central Fiction ‘Act3’ will launch on March 31.
If you long ago readied your wallet for the first wave of Ultimate Source’s Killer Instinct figures, the wait has finally come to an end. As of this posting, you can now pick up one of these stylish statues, all of which offer access to exclusive in-game costume colors for the fighter they represent so you’ll have something to show for your purchase when you take the battle online.
The current offering includes Fulgore, Jago, Hisako, Sabrewulf, and Shadow Jago, priced at $29.99 each. Take a closer look at these gorgeous figures in our gallery and be sure to visit Ultimate Source’s website by following the link below.
Survival-style modes, if implemented correctly, can offer a fun distraction from proper matches when nothing seems to be working out, or even a break from training mode when one more hour grinding could result in mental collapse.
The first time I played through (part of) Street Fighter V’s take on this classic mode, however, I was immediately put off by the ratio of time spent fighting to time spent doing everything else: loading, having to skip intro videos, having to tell the post-match menu which helpful item I’d like to burn some points on for the next match, or telling that same menu that, yes, I was totally sure I’d rather hang on to my points to spend later. In our review of the game, I noted that survival mode, on a first pass, felt more like a test of a player’s will to wade through menus than anything else, and I still stand by that statement–most of the time.
But man, there are other times in my color unlocking crusade when the game shifts to the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s no longer about annoying me with menus–no, not when the AI gets a taste for my digital blood–then it’s serious. Then it’s about making sure, above all else, that I’ll never be anything but regular old blue duds Chun-Li. In times like these, the AI shifts from threatening with buttons consistent only in their perpetually erratic nature to some of the most immaculate limb placement I’ve seen so far in the game; it’s not even the same mode anymore.
But how smart is the AI? How good are those robotic reactions? In his newest video, Desk sought these and other answers.
As you’re about to see–and, let’s face it, you’ve likely seen it in your own runs–the survival mode AI, when it so chooses, can react with razor-sharp precision, produce perfect combos for any situation, and break out setups so dirty they’ll make even the most seasoned setplay veteran blush. Desk even displays footage featuring an eleventh stage Cammy perfectly reacting to a fireball not just with a jump-in, but with a jump-in into a combo involving four forward walking frames. On the eleventh stage.
With this in mind, my eventual wardrobe completion–hey, a guy can dream–will come with the knowledge that the bits ticking behind my brightly-colored battle garb could have stopped my quest short at any point through perfect play, or perhaps through offering an abundance of low health recovery power ups.
Check out Desk’s video below, and be sure to give us your own survival horror stories in the comments.
Another day, another Street Fighter V roundup. Let’s get right into it.
The guys at UltraChen TV have been producing videos in their Delayed Hyper Commentary series for a while now, and their most recent session of commentary highlights how the Dhalsim vs. Ryu match plays out in Street Fighter V. Not looking at just one match, UltraDavid talks over nearly twenty minutes of high-level footage featuring names that have become synonymous with the characters in question: Mad Catz’ Daigo Umehara, Level|Up Series’ Alex Valle, and Panda Global’s Ryan “Filipino Champ” Ramirez.
It’s a pretty intense way to get the roundup going, but we think you’ll enjoy it!
With all the tech floating around, it’s easy to miss out on some truly great tactics. A video from Floe that’s been making the rounds recently falls into this category. In the brief clip, Floe shows off a setup for Karin offering excellent okizeme pressure potential against whatever tech suits her opponent’s fancy.
Up next, qBauss Essentials brings us the first episode in a new series–and, perhaps more exciting, the first video for a new channel–for today’s roundup. To kick things off, they’ve decided to demonstrate all of the buffs Birdie receives while under the effects of his V-Trigger, Enjoy Time. Setting the tone for this fledgling channel, the video remains brief with its 90 second run time, but doesn’t skimp on information.
If you’ve been shopping around for some ways to take advantage of Laura’s powerful meaty options, this next video from henqification should suit you nicely. It features options for all sorts of knockdowns and wake up timings, not to mention a surprisingly jazzy soundtrack.
You may be aware that Zangief is capable of stylishly punishing the aerial frames of dragon punches by meeting them in the sky with a Spinning Pile Driver. What you may not know, as Big Cheese demonstrates in this next clip, is that the Russian wrestler can do this to a vast number of cast members that are equipped with similar moves, not just shotos.
So, if you’re tired of the same old Crush Counter punish, switch gears and protect the skies for a while. They could always be safer.
Ever find yourself on the receiving end of Mika’s completely and totally inescapable command grab loops? ChojinLove sent in some footage of one Ryu player whodid, but check it out, this guy was smart enough to get loose. One can certainly argue that the potential loss of points and good standing in the eyes of Capcom may not be worth pulling the plug on the match, but no one can deny that Mika didn’t throw him anymore after he dipped.
We’re sorry, BuddhasWeapon, hopefully he won’t be so slippery next time!
Want to show off your new setup? How about that combo reel you’ve been putting together? Send your footage our way and it may wind up in our next Street Fighter V community roundup!
