On thing I actually LIKE about the "release without expected game stuff" is that... it should corral people into returning for DLC (and getting used to seeing this game as a DLC friendly option) Right from the get-go.
Unlike many other games which go for MONTHS without solidifying this position. I think a big point of new KI's survival will depend on people knowing if it's a constantly growing game, or a 1-and-done release. Saving something as SP-significant as story for an incremental release really lets one know "This game will grow substantially over time!"
I feel the window between 6 charas and 8 might be a bit too wide, however. Nov-Dec-Jan-Fed-March!
I really don't mind waiting for a story mode in a fighter, though; if the game is good, it might be months before I get out that "MUST FIGHT WHILE TECH IS STILL FRESH AND UNDISCOVERED!" feel, and actually want to sit and waste away time doing something that barely helps with the real meat of the game, anyway.
One could argue a story is vital, because it introduces the characters, and lets players know who they like to play in the first place; and I agree with this.
But I also remember that fighters never let me do this in arcades, as new releases were constantly packed. Evolving from "I see and like this guy!", to liking the same, or different characters, once you find out their motivations, can be a fun trip with a fighter.
I think I mentioned this on the last page, but the normal command throw should launch for the 27% and the Shadow version should allow him to start a normal, grounded combo.
Yeah, at that point, I was saying "What would you do to make his Shadow mode more fearful". Though, in a Roundabout way, making his Shadow mode upgrade his normal throw to an instant version of the Shadow grapple for free, while the mode is on, is a pretty nice idea, too. THAT would be frickin scary.
Also, if they give his Triplax +1 on block, or the Skyfall neutral or +1 on block, it would help him out A LOT. Granted, all of this is theory fighter, but based on what I know, I don't fear Thunder.
I really think Skyfall looks like the kind of more that'd lead to a Safe approach, if you actually manage to tick a hit on block with it. They seem to be afraid of giving advantage to moves, but I think it'd fit in with the new holdable Hail from Glacius. That sets up a nice long advantageous position, and seems to act as a reward for landing a knockdown and getting in.
The Back Throw opener seems decent, but the linker seems to eat into his damage quite a bit. I'm okay with that though. It was the opener I was more concerned with.
Cool. I actually do think making his grapple game have a strong normal throw feels very KI (in the fact that most tools aren't too hard to grasp the use of, and don't need to be complex motions.) If he has some kind special bonus to his normal forward throw,I think the idea that KI Grapplers have 1 or 2 command grapples, plus special normal throws, could be a nice defining rule for future grapplers.
The problem I have with Shadow command grab doing 27% is that you're burning very valuable meter on that and there's no way to make the Shadow grab guaranteed. You have to hope the opponent doesn't jump. If they do, not only are you out meter, but you're taking damage as well.
I don't think a grappler should be risking that much just to land his command grab with a payoff of only 27% damage. Either make the command grab harder to avoid, or he needs more damage from it if it lands.
Did he not get a guaranteed Shadow grab out of a backthrow? If backthrow linker (mid Combo) leads into Snadow CoTE, that should be some considerate damage. I know people kept trying to jab and hitconfirm into it, but don't think that seemed to work...
I guess they figure his insane throw range makes up for not having an unavoidable-at-close-range grappler like most grapplers. His back throw kinda serves this purpose, but it's breakable, which is also unlike most grapplers.
Actually... maybe they could make a "left standing" version of his throw Command / Normal throw produce a lockout state? That'd certainly put some fear into his grapples.
And that is a big problem. I think alot of KI fans dont WANT them reworking the characters or over thinking them. Why does Chief Thunder have to be reworked into a grappler now? Why do these characters have to fit neatly into certain categories and have alot of their design reworked just for the hell of it. I am dreading the day they show Orchid because I guarantee they will suck all the fun out of her character and try to make her "badass" and "gritty".
I watched some vids of KI 1, and played a bunch of the SNES version yesterday... MAN am I glad they reworking it. I've played SNES Anime / b-tier fighters that feel like they have more of a grasp of what Fighters Became, than KI.
Pokes feel worthless and unsatisfying, move strengths don't always produce consistently better specials, and the rules of "what combos from what" seem arbitrary, as if they were kept inconsistent to trick people into the illusion of depth.
One think I like about a fighters Groundwork, is that they're all consistent enough to where you don't feel like you're wasting your time playing a different fighter occasionally. You're still using the same skills of footsies, space control, mind-games, etc. KI 1 made those base satisfactions feel so sloppy though, that if it remained so haphazard with them, I wouldn't want to play it once I became more serious with my fighters.
As long as they don't jump off the deep end with Orchid, I think we'll be OK with her. She really has so very little character in KI1... Watching her say "ICHI, NI, SAN!" for handing up on a phone in her KI 1 ending was a facepalm moment, haha.
I really am interested in seeing how they deal with her, but I feel we're pretty much in a "Can't got anywhere but up!" situation with her. I really kinda hope they don't get rid of Fire Kat, though... It's the move you EXPECT them to drop, so I'd rather see them actually work it out for use in a modern 3D-graphics fighter. And considering Wulf no longer has a Roll, Jago no longer a slide... an ankle-biting move (beyond Thunders) would be nice to see.
