SSFIV:Initial impressions.

Xluna

The ssfiv discussion thread is so long I thought I'd start one to discuss the changes in SSFIV. Obviously the new online lobbies greatly improve the experiance and the upcoming tournament download will be a nice addition. Hopefully there'll be a champion ship mode too. I do miss the player matches though. Sometimes I like to experiment with a character I'm unfamiliar with without losing battle points. Having the remixed old BGM is great. It does seem surreal for some of the stages.ie Honda and Chunners themes playing in the amazon jungle but it's a great option to have. I am slightly dissapointed that survival and time attack have been left out of the trials this time and the gallery mode is gone too. It sounds like I'm nit picking but it just seems a bit odd to omit them when it would have been so easy to retain these features.
On the plus side the announcer is better than his predecessor and the over all "front end" is much sleeker and the new stages are amongst the most vibrant in the game. Nice to have the bonus stages return too.

Going to where it matters,gameplay, the introduction of ten new characters really opens up so many new possibilities. The introduction of a second ultra means I now have a fairly different strategy for playing chunners. My experience of playing the new and returning characters so far has been mixed. Dee Jay is very powerfull. I would'nt be surprised if he's in the top tier. He has a great mix of varied tools. I was also impressed by Adon. He's incrediably fast and has some good ex specials. Cody looks a character worth investing time in, I never really bothered with him in Alpha 3, but I might now.
T.Hawk is incrediably powerful and is a beast once you manage to get a comfortable style going with him,which takes longer than the likes of D.J. ect. His crouch HP has incrediable range,one massive ark. His specials allow him to launch a powerful rush attack horizontally,vertically and descending.
I've yet to get any good with Makoto,I really want to. I'm not sure I know how to make the most of her, I did'nt play much 3rd strike. I can't see much use to her dragon punch-esque attack right now.

Dunjohn

The gallery is sorely missed. I do like the easier, more gradiated way of unlocking titles and icons, it should hopefully lead to more individualisation. Having to unlock taunts and colours for each character individually is going to be a pain, though.

I still prefer the old announcer, this guy sounds like he doesn't give a rats what's happening. Haven't heard the opening intro music yet, because my screen is a bit daft and the sound doesn't come on until five or ten minutes have passed. The new stages are indeed awesome, especially the Eclipse stage. The meerkats in particular rock, one of them starts shaking the hips pretty loco at the end of a match, but there's also a graphical glitch that bugs me: When the first big hippo comes forward and plops down, another comes up behind him and their models overlap. Tiny, tiny nitpick.

I love endless battles, way more than player matches. I always felt rude quitting out of a player match after a round or two. The new BP system has me scratching my head, but I'll get used to it.

Ramza

Yawn. Same game, new characters

zzzzz

Sairus

I'm really enjoying the new ten dudes, they're all fairly varied play style wise, but for the most part all completely usable too. Hopefully they'll see use at high level play.
I'm really digging Juri though I'm still trying to figure out how to use her without spamming her dive kick for half the match. Even saying that, every match she's in is great fun to watch because of her flashy and flowy moves.

However, as much as I'm enjoying it there is one massive change that has pretty much ruined online play for me: the lack of those little smiley faces. WTF? Those things were awesome! =(

Sabre0001

Not played a lot so far but enjoying it. New characters and ultras mix the game up a bit and traditional matchups can be changed with that flick of a selection.

Like the way that the trials are done. No longer does one bad combination mean that you cannot learn a character - just skip to the next! Or retry as many times as you like. If you're good at the trials the win quote can get a little grating though (thankfully I do not have that problem! )

Haven't tried online as yet - was psyching myself up for some last night when my router went on strike. Probably better off! Like the new concepts though.

Many easy achievements for those of you that it matters to - Set icon & status; do 10 trials with a character; get x score in the barrell mini game (Zangief + Lariat = blip)

Presentation of game is better - smooth menus that are well laid out, although some are partnered with bizarre pictures, announcer is alright in my books too.

Dunjohn

I think Seth might be easier to beat in Arcade, too. I've only been playing it through on medium but I definitely think he leaves himself open way more than he used to. Also love the way it saves your costume/taunt settings after you finish playing.

And DAN'S TAUNTS DO DAMAGE! JUSTICE!

Xluna

Dunjohn wrote: »

I think Seth might be easier to beat in Arcade, too. I've only been playing it through on medium but I definitely think he leaves himself open way more than he used to. Also love the way it saves your costume/taunt settings after you finish playing.

And DAN'S TAUNTS DO DAMAGE! JUSTICE!

He's definitely easier. I was using Ibuki just now on easiest,one round (just to get the ending) and kept on sweeping him. Did'nt block once. Even on easiest this would never happen on vanilla.

johnny_ultimate

Played a few hours of this last night (I'm still relatively new to SFIV in general, so I still suck) but the online mode is a significant improvement. Was great to get Irish people online, although there only seemed to be three of us online at half two in the morning :pac: Have only messed around with Dee Jay, who seems like a decent sort of character. I'd love to play as Hakan, but I haven't much practice with the 'full rotation' characters so will be back to the training grounds for a while me thinks.

BeansBeans

Seth is far easier to beat in Super, scarily so. Its too easy.

But then the rivals are really pissing me off. Bison seems to be telepathic when your playing as Juri. Ryu Vs Ken rival match is a pain too. Although they are the worst of them.

Im loving it anyway, really like the new characters.

randomchild

Had an opening session with this last night. The new characters are all great, no duds and no one you feel at a disadvantage by playing. Well done capcom!

chopperbyrne

Adon is awesome and today, myself and Doyler learnt a valuable lesson, stay the hell away from T. Hawk!

Ry

I like it. Seems nicely balanced for the most part.

johnny_ultimate

BeansBeans wrote: »

Seth is far easier to beat in Super, scarily so. Its too easy.

I've noticed this too, he really is easier to predict. I beat him without much hassle in hardest today, when occasionally in SFIV he can be a tricky beast to tame even on easier settings. I'm definitely not great at the game, but Seth definitely feels far easier to best this time around.

Creamy Goodness

got this today as an annual cake day present.

http://twitpic.com/1jzwh7

Can't wait to start playing it, been busy all day so i couldn't touch it.

Anyone on Ps3 add me my PSN is:- cremins

Sairus

Dunjohn wrote: »

And DAN'S TAUNTS DO DAMAGE! JUSTICE!

They dont actually do damage, they just count as a hit =P

Jim

Cody is zzzzzz

CodeMonkey

I like Juri and Deejay. Finding it hard to defend against rush down cross-overs using Juri but then again that's a tactic I'm always weak against. My character choices don't help me.

Like the individual grades you get on each character. Also like the BP and PP lets you guess how good someone is in general and with that character. Finding a lot of random player match ups with the irish flag and always wonder if they are boardsies. Irish player called justica nadir keeps on kicking me around with bison. Still finding lots of Ryus and Kens and Sagats... so bored of fighting Ryus.

UberPrinny_Baal

I think Adon's manic laughter during his Ultra 2 sounds almost exactly like Spinal from Killer Instinct.

BeansBeans

CodeMonkey wrote: »

I like Juri and Deejay. Finding it hard to defend against rush down cross-overs using Juri but then again that's a tactic I'm always weak against. My character choices don't help me.

Like the individual grades you get on each character. Also like the BP and PP lets you guess how good someone is in general and with that character. Finding a lot of random player match ups with the irish flag and always wonder if they are boardsies. Irish player called justica nadir keeps on kicking me around with bison. Still finding lots of Ryus and Kens and Sagats... so bored of fighting Ryus.

I love Juri as well, im finding her quite difficult to use though, her combos seem to be very tight to pull off . Having not played Streetfighter games in a few years ive resorted to Cody easy and fun. I love Guy and Dudley as well. Adon as a character too is brilliant I actually vaguely remember him from SF1 my brother had it on pc.
Im not sure why but i cant handle charge characters anymore, its a pity I used to love Deejay in SF2Turbo.

D4RK ONION

By far the best thing about this game is same region matching and the flag in the lobby.

The amount of people I've played from Ireland that I don't know from here is maddening. 2 of them were quite good too. I've been sending them messages afterwards about streetfighter.ie, the boards and the events. A few replied and seemed interested which is great.

It's probably the best thing our community could have asked for.

Doctor DooM

D4RK ONION wrote: »

By far the best thing about this game is same region matching and the flag in the lobby.

The amount of people I've played from Ireland that I don't know from here is maddening. 2 of them were quite good too. I've been sending them messages afterwards about streetfighter.ie, the boards and the events. A few replied and seemed interested which is great.

It's probably the best thing our community could have asked for.

I feel sorry for a couple of them actually. They must hate seeing us coming

D4RK ONION

True, people have already started quitting on me when they see me come in

In fairness, I kicked the face off one Irish guy a few times, and he sent me a message afterwards saying GG. He was decent actually, and was pretty interested in the community.

Doctor DooM

Similar for me, asked a coupl along and got kicked by a couple

Dunjohn

I got kicked from an all-Irish Endless battle after winning one match Went back in, he kicked me again as soon as the round ended and he saw my name. Ehh. Jerks exist, I already knew that. This one was just really confusing, though.

Other little bits I've noticed is the subtitle error in akuma's battle intro has been fixed, and I can't seem to get a quick basic attack in after the K.O., but before their body hits the ground.

joconnell

CodeMonkey wrote: »

Irish player called justica nadir keeps on kicking me around with bison.

Yep - played him, he's quite good with bison alright but when I figured out the timing with his lag and bet him a few times in a row I got a "you are so scrub" message from him

Ramza

Dunjohn wrote: »

I can't seem to get a quick basic attack in after the K.O., but before their body hits the ground.

Post K.O movement has been removed for some stupid reason

Sisko

Dunjohn wrote: »

I got kicked from an all-Irish Endless battle after winning one match Went back in, he kicked me again as soon as the round ended and he saw my name. Ehh. Jerks exist, I already knew that. This one was just really confusing, though.

That's pretty shitty. What was his name? I suppose I'm being naive in thinking all irish players I'm gonna run into will be all "ZOMG YOUR IRISH TOO! Whaaaaaaa? Theres a SCENE!? OMG HOW DO I GET INVOLVED!?!??!"

So far the worst I've gotten is just no reply back. Everyone else I've bumped into on PSN in Super that are new have had some ggs and left gracefully after a fight. Me and hound fought a new guy today. He stayed in the room for ages even with hounds domination and then my own after hound left

He was deffo not a new player though, was deffo experienced. Got messaging him , he's now in my friends list , well interested in the scene and says he has friends that play too and is gonna say it to them.

CodeMonkey wrote: »

Still finding lots of Ryus and Kens and Sagats... so bored of fighting Ryus.

Noted man I'll play ibuki when I fight you so. As far as I remember you used to play vega? Needs some vega experience anyway. He seems good against ibuki.

Sairus

Ramza wrote: »

Post K.O movement has been removed for some stupid reason

Why, Capcom? WHY? =(
It's such a stupid little thing, but it never got old.

Sisko

I loved it too, I miss it a lot with ibuki, she had some sweet looking post KO normals. Close HK and forward HK being my favs. Looked great in 3s. Even if you end a guy on a jab, was stylish looking to then kick them into the air with close HK. Looked so vicious.

I'm also sad as I I've been trying but I can't see it being possible to get post KO taunts in with her either. Since a kunai lands before she does. Not enough time to hit taunt before KO pops up. She's 1 or two cool but looooooong taunts as well

Sabre0001

Well, now I feel rude for not sending messages. SO thanks Kirby for the Yoga-flavoured face kicking and Bush for the two matches...Also to the other Irish that I cannot remember (only know the two others from here......and of course the reputation that precedes them )

Placebo

D4RK ONION wrote: »

True, people have already started quitting on me when they see me come in

Thats cause they know yr from Limerick !

D4RK ONION

A lesson in geography! Brought to you by Mr. ONION

Co. Clare- This is where I am from!


Co. Limerick- This is where I am not from!

Doctor DooM

joconnell wrote: »

Yep - played him, he's quite good with bison alright but when I figured out the timing with his lag and bet him a few times in a row I got a "you are so scrub" message from him

Bison you say?

Calling people scrubs you say?

Wat til he he meets me he's going to explode.

D4RK ONION wrote: »

A lesson in geography! Brought to you by Mr. ONION

Co. Clare- This is where I am from!


Co. Limerick- This is where I am not from!

Sorry Onion, think youo've got that wrong.

You're from "the rest of Ireland."

Sisko

Rest of Ireland - other wise known as "Bogger Land"

Who needs a flux capacitor when all yea need is to take the train from Dublin to Bogger Land and there yea go.

Limerick, Clare it matters not to us technologically superior folk in the future/Dublin. Tis all full of bog people :pac:

Ramza

Oi, Westmeath is home of the best players!

We may be outside Dublin but we still rule! (All 2 of us :pac:)

Owwmykneecap

Bunch of West Brits living in the pale is all ye are.

Anyway, regards kicking people, If some dude, irish flag or not is lagging, he's getting kicked it's that simple. It does look bad if he beats and then you kick him but I can live with it.

I've told some people about the community, even had one guy say he's been told about it in another lobby.

Also I sent dunjohn a "poor form" message as I thought he quit mid game, but it was a connection error, I'd had a guy ragequit on me in the fight just before that so assumed you did the same. apologies.

Dunjohn

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

Also I sent dunjohn a "poor form" message as I thought he quit mid game, but it was a connection error, I'd had a guy ragequit on me in the fight just before that so assumed you did the same. apologies.

Did my character (Dudley, I think) just stand there, taking a beating for about ten seconds before the message came up? 'Cuz your character stopped doing anything on my end for about that long. I don't remember that ever happening in vanilla, either. I thought I'd completely stupefied you with my skillz....

Yay, they corrected the pronunciation of "Abel" on his victory screen

Doctor DooM

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

Bunch of West Brits living in the pale is all ye are.

Anyway, regards kicking people, If some dude, irish flag or not is lagging, he's getting kicked it's that simple. It does look bad if he beats and then you kick him but I can live with it.

I've told some people about the community, even had one guy say he's been told about it in another lobby.

Also I sent dunjohn a "poor form" message as I thought he quit mid game, but it was a connection error, I'd had a guy ragequit on me in the fight just before that so assumed you did the same. apologies.

Fair nuff and despite my net occasionaly being poo I'd be reasonably sure they're kicking me BEFORE playing me once because they remember me kicking their ass the day before.

Burning Eclipse

Wtf at people being kicked?? First time I played Araforn he beat me 9 times straight before I had to go. Same story with Speedhaak (great Cork player).

At least if you're losing you're hopefully learning something?! Right? How can you expect to improve if you only play against weaker opponents? Is there something different about Super that I don't know

In other news, a friend got this for me for my birthday, but won't give me the game till my exams are over (17th May)... I'm losing my mind here.:mad:

Generic_name01

Yeah kicking just because you lost is bad form especially while the game is barely even out since losing is a major part of the process but lag really upsets the whole point of the game especially when trying a combo heavy character.

All the games I had so far against the irish have been really good with no kicking etc. Kept fighting one guy in ranked who was hosting and I was winning but he never kicked me when I came back into the games. Though afterwards when I sent a GG message I got a message back saying "Its called spamming" and I was very confused... Couldnt tell was he making a joke about himself (he was ken) or at me.

CptMackey

Just after getting this. Im terrible btw but really enjoying it. Are there any bad players online? keep getting my ass kicked.

Using abel, gougken at the mo.

Really glad that I got it.

At least I can beat my bro

bush

I dont really have a problem with someome kicking people that are way better than them. Some people just want to stick the game on and have a bit of fun.

Placebo

Bush80 wrote: »

I dont really have a problem with someome kicking people that are way better than them. Some people just want to stick the game on and have a bit of fun.

fyi u were playing ry last night.

Doctor DooM

Bush80 wrote: »

I dont really have a problem with someome kicking people that are way better than them. Some people just want to stick the game on and have a bit of fun.

It's more a case of people trying to protect their BP here though Bush.

Owwmykneecap

Dunjohn wrote: »

Did my character (Dudley, I think) just stand there, taking a beating for about ten seconds before the message came up? 'Cuz your character stopped doing anything on my end for about that long. I don't remember that ever happening in vanilla, either. I thought I'd completely stupefied you with my skillz....

Yay, they corrected the pronunciation of "Abel" on his victory screen

No on mine it said you quit in the middle of a blocked uppercut like you had simply turned your xbox off.

Kirby

Doctor DooM wrote: »

It's more a case of people trying to protect their BP here though Bush.

Does anyone really care about that anymore? I've only had one person kick me repeatedly.

Obviously the newbies to fighting games will treat it like halo etc but anybody who knows fighting games and watches matches will know that losing is part of it. And thats most people that i bump into are like. Cool about it and just want to play.

Sisko

Generic_name01 wrote: »

Though afterwards when I sent a GG message I got a message back saying "Its called spamming" and I was very confused... Couldnt tell was he making a joke about himself (he was ken) or at me.

Psssh what was his name? Very disapointed to hear this crap from Irish players , although I suppose it was on 360 after all

D4RK ONION

You know he's on the 360 because he found a player to fight :P

Seriously though, how are the PS3 lobbies? Are they full, and how is the lag?

Ramza

D4RK ONION wrote: »

You know he's on the 360 because he found a player to fight :P

Seriously though, how are the PS3 lobbies? Are they full, and how is the lag?

All lobbies I was invited too were always like 4 or 5 people in them, and the connection is fine, all 5 bar, I seem to have fixed my TV lag too

Sisko

Everything's the same as 360 in that regard and now its faster to accept game invites then it was with Sf4 too, but I miss being able to see what people on my friends list/players met list are doing.

Like on GFWL if one of them is hosting a game, it'll tell me and also let me join, or it'll tell me if they are at the main menu or in training mode etc etc.

On PSN it just tells you their online playing SSFIV and thats it, for players met it doesnt tell you anything except what game you met them in and what time.

It may seem like a small annoyence but its handy getting all that info, I'd see hound, or redman or ramza on my friends list playing the game, but I wouldnt know if they're joinable (ie in the same lobby with a free slot) or not.

Where as I assume on 360 you would.

D4RK ONION

Yeah, you can see all that on the 360, and it tells you if what game type they're in and whether it's joinable not, and you can join straight from there.

I imagine that must be a pain in the arse for ye :eek: