Original 8 world warriors confirmed

[TS]

The art style is beautiful.

new character artwork is great

Agreed.

[Scissorman]

I wish they would make art like this for all of the characters, even if they don't make it to SF4.

[Arxinal]

Hell Yes!

[Sasmasta]

I'm just happy to see Zangief back in the game. Now if I can just get Q too....

I think Vega [Claw] will be in...

[FreshOJ]

Saving strikes take one stock of your saving stock, and are done with fierce+Rh presses at the same time. You flash and become invincible immediately, going into a kind of 'powerup' looking pose. Ryu does this in the first gameplay vid.

What the screenshots show are the result of the fireball hitting Ryu while he's performing the saving strike. Ryu automatically 'parries' the fireball, and then (automatically?) punches Ken (presumably, because Ken falls down as a result of this punch). I would also assume that you can dash cancel this attack into something else? Saving strike into extended combos would be the equivalent of parry into super, but to do so, you would be forsaking the ability to spice up your offense with the various EX cancels. This makes for an interesting strategic dilemma... do you save your saving stock for the defensive saving strikes or do you press the attack with your EX moves. The important thing is for the Saving strike (SS might be a good way of referring to it) to have a risk factor to it. Can you throw them or do they escape throws? What is their recovery time???

Aha! Capcom finally listened to us! I think this is the answer for all of us who wanted parries to have recovery time and wanted Alpha Counters to be anticipatory, not reactionary. It looks like Saving Strikes are going to work like Tekken-style reversals. Quoting one of the early articles, it says that "Saving Strikes are executed with HP+HK. They cost one section. They are invincible. They can be canceled with a forward or backward dash."

I'm hoping that Saving Strikes *only* work on high and mid attacks, otherwise, they'll be too good...like parries were. A high-mid and a low Saving Strike would be ideal. Being able to cancel them with a dash is already bad enough. If you can dash-cancel and follow up a successful Saving Strike, things could get real ugly.

This just came to mind, but can EX moves allow you to juggle a regular attack or special after the dash cancel? Ie, EX shoryuken, dash cancel, fierce shoryuken. This is just speculation. I could be proven completely wrong after more info comes out, but I can see many of us are envisioning some really interesting EX dash cancel setups like that EX electricity example.

This is something I brought up a while back (and I've been going on and on about it on the Capcom-Unity SF4 forum). We haven't seen any EX moves that have been dash-cancelled when they hit, yet. But, if you look at the gameplay video they released and see that Ken recovers from dash-cancelling his EX Shoryuken right as Ryu comes out of block stun, you can pretty much count on being able to dash-cancel and follow up an EX move that hits or knocks down. Whether it's started with a Saving Strike or an EX move, combos and juggles from dash-cancelling will be numerous...and they'll be extensive and repetative in the corner.

I can already see...with a full Revenge Meter...(assuming that EX moves act like their Third Strike counterparts)...

Ken starts out the madness with jump roundhouse, close forward XX EX Shoryuken (or) with a Saving Strike, dash cancels and follows up with [EX Shoryuken XX dash-cancel]x2, and then either finishes with his Ultra or continues with another EX Shoryuken XX dash-cancel sequence ending with a Special/Super.

Bad news, man. I really hope there's a severe damage scaling penalty for each dash-cancel and that the damage scaling is controlled by the presence of the combo meter. No more whiffing moves or crouch cancelling to get around damage scaling.

[Nokato]

They may limit what moves can utilize EX to create "balance", but that may put too many limitations on the game. I'm sure something retarded will come from the battle system. That's just the way things go.

[kenjiharima]

a guy in another forum said it's just a remake. remake my fucking ass! A new character, 2.5D, the designs rock and there are more new characters to come hopefully on the Feb 8!

Damn i get irritated whenever they say it's just a remake. It's SF4 not SF2 or SF turbo nor SSF2 Turbo. IT'S SF4 DAMN IT!!! 4!!!!!!!

[Nokato]

a guy in another forum said it's just a remake. remake my fucking ass! A new character, 2.5D, the designs rock and there are more new characters to come hopefully on the Feb 8!

Damn i get irritated whenever they say it's just a remake. It's SF4 not SF2 or SF turbo nor SSF2 Turbo. IT'S SF4 DAMN IT!!! 4!!!!!!!

Some are going to consider it remake because the storyline isn't after SF3, which is their own opinion, but according to the title it is "SF4". 2.5 is a pretty silly term, since it doesn't really define anything. The game is 2-D, its just not traditionally hand-drawn. And we're talking about SF4, so someone will have a problem. I'm one of those people but I don't really impose my opinions here alot with it being moot and all.

[Tigerboi]

how? they are proportionate and relatively smaller due to evening her out. although still thick. 3s chun li had bigger thighs and were sexier.

Still blasphemy!

[Gaijinblaze]

When people cry remake, they don't mean it literally. You have to admit, it is a bit lame that we waited a decade to see characters who were already in 6 SF2s, Alphas, EX, Marvel, vs SNK, and God knows what else. I saw a funny post at another forum. The person said both SF4 and STHD are remakes, but the latter has better graphics. In some way, it's not that close to being a lie. If they put priority on characters like Dee Jay, Fei, or T-Hawk over Alex or Urien just because the former are from SF2, I'd be pretty disgusted! I'm still hype for the game as I've shown all along, but things need to be balanced. Keep in mind that I understand why they're doing it this way so far, I'm just a little paranoid about future character announcements.

I can't believe somebody translated the freaking bios when there are gameplay captions and an interview on the scans.

[Nokato]

... You have to admit, it is a bit lame that we waited a decade to see characters who were already in 6 SF2s, Alphas, EX, Marvel, vs SNK, and God knows what else. I saw a funny post at another forum. The person said both SF4 and STHD are remakes, but the latter has better graphics. In some way, it's not that close to being a lie...

That pretty much is how I feel, outside of my opinion on the look of the game overall. With this being SF4, I feel more like its ST in 3-D, this may change with updates on Friday with potentially new characters--its "nice" and all to see what the SF2 characters look like but I feel like there should be something new to look at it in its entirety.

[eruditemode]

Rough Translation of the "Saving Attack" paragraph

Title: "In the new system even more tactics have been created!"

First, I will introduce "Saving Attack." As I'm sure you can tell by the series of frames, Ryu stops a hadouken, and at that moment delivers a powerful hit to Ken. While you can read the same thing from Ono on the next page, what type of system this actually turns out to be, has yet to be revealed. But once we get news in, this magazine will be sure to pass it on.

Translation of Ultra Combo and Ono's interview section:

In our first report we were able to confirm the existence of the Ultra Combo. We received the newest photos, so we will now introduce it again. It seems that if you satisfy several conditions, you will be able to use the ultra combo. Given the name and the numerous conditions, it's probably not wrong to guess that the ultra combo will be positioned among a devastating attack.

Interview:

Q1: First off, tell us about the concept behind the new character Crimson Viper.

Ono: In SF2, there is no "Cool Beauty." I wanted a character who could embody that phrase, and I also wanted to find out how such a character would interact and engage with the rest of the cast, so I used her. I want the new characters to ruffle up everyone thoroughly, so I plan on allowing her to be playable from the initial release of the game.

(personal note: time release characters Tekken style???)

Q2: I see. To change the subject, it's apparent that the OG cast from SF2 is playable. Please give us your reasoning behind this.

SFIV revolves around the concept of allowing players from the SF2 era, who are already acclimated with SF2 characters, to jump into SFIV quickly. For this reason, we embarked on creating the game by reviving the old characters first.

Q3: In the photos released to the public, we can confirm that there are 3 gauges available, what functions, exactly, does each gauge have?

Ono: Of course you can predict that one gauge is the character's life gauge. The second, you can probably guess that its the "super combo" gauge that appeared in SFIIX. The third gauge, all I can say for now is that it is related to the "recovery" [lit. coming back from death] 起死回生 system.

Q4: This gauge seems to be heavily related to "Saving system" and "ultra combo." What exactly are these about?

Ono:

The "saving system" is NOT intended to be a "one hit, match over" type of deal. Its intended to be different from SF3's blocking system, a new "spice" that will be entirely unique to the SF4 experience. Regarding "Ultra Combos," all I will say that it will be a fireworks display larger than super combos themselves. (laughs to himself)

Q5: Fireworks, huh? (chortles) Lastly, any highlights we can expect from the AOU2008 playable version?

I want everyone to try out the new moves, see the unique world that SFIV presents, and be able to sense and feel the game. We're also looking to have some playable exhibits that feature characters not yet revealed to the public, so I'm definitely looking forward to it.



editor's note: sorry this is just a rough translation and there are most likely some mistakes here and there, as Ono is quite artistic and quirky. Also on the bottom it seems like some new console game is being released. Street Fighter Mouse Generation? By clicking you can unleash special moves!

My 2 cents, can't wait for this game and if they already have a playable at AOU, then a summer arcade release isn't too far off to believe. I wonder if they will use the card system that all the new games have. I'll need a Chun Li card for sure...drool. And also a gas mask as tokyo arcades still has yet to banish smokers. If only Hong Kong rules arcade rules applied in tokyo, sigh...

[kev_the_bev]

can't say I'm excited.

you know, after I saw the scans, I think I now am. some SF3 characters still better return though. Urien would fit.

[goodm0urning]

Tekken 6 has most of the previous characters, or at least new take-offs on previous characters. I don't recall anybody crying remake over that.

[Tigerboi]

Tekken 6 has most of the previous characters, or at least new take-offs on previous characters. I don't recall anybody crying remake over that.

Because namco fans tend to at least make sense.

[FreshOJ]

So, basically...

(Begin article quote)

There are two meters:
- The Revenge Meter, which builds up by getting hit.
- The Super Meter, which we will assume builds up by attacking.

The Revenge Meter:
- The Revenge Meter is made up of four sections.
- There are 3 uses for the Revenge Meter; they are EX moves, Saving Strikes, and an unblockable attack (I didn't catch the name of the unblockable).
- EX moves act just like in SFIII. They cost one section. They can be canceled with a forward or backward dash.
- Saving Strikes are executed with HP+HK. They cost one section. They are invincible. They can be canceled with a forward or backward dash.
- The unblockable move is done by charging a Saving Strike. It cost three sections. It is invincible.

The Super Meter:
- It is to be assumed that there is one section in the Super Meter.
- Currently every character has one super. Ryu's Shinkuu Hadoken, for example, is done the same way as in ST. It uses the Super Meter.
- An Ultra is performed by doing the super motion with two buttons. The Ultra cost the Super Meter as well as one section of the Revenge Meter. It is longer than normal supers, and include dramatic camera angles.

(End article quote)

Based on the above article, the gameplay video that was released, the scans of the original 8 World Warriors, and the previous post, it's safe to say that Saving Strikes are basically anticipatory Alpha Counters (ala VF and Tekken). It also looks like, so far, Saving Strikes can catch any high, mid, or low hitting attack...which would be really bad if it's true. There should be at least one for high/mid attacks and one for low attacks. Anything else is basically a "shield" button. Anyway, like I said before, if Saving Strikes can be dash cancelled upon hit (and we already know that EX moves will be dash-cancellable on hit), this game is going to get crazy for real. The true test of whether or not dash cancelling (and possibly the entire Revenge System) will be broken will be how much damage you can do from these *EX*tended dash-cancelled juggle combos (especially in the corner).

[oukamikenji]

Am I the only one who noticed that in Zangeif's artwork, it looks like he grew a mullet? Looks like hair cascading over his left shoulder.

Or maybe it's that inky-splash art style they're using.

Still, just think about how much more powerful a mohawllet would make Geif! Hopefully the 3D engine can support advanced mullet physics.


Another thought- if Geif looks like he can now easily anus-rape an elephant, imagine what T.Hawk would look like. One can dream...

That would be his bear-skin cape.

[Helter Skelter]

Tekken 6 has most of the previous characters, or at least new take-offs on previous characters. I don't recall anybody crying remake over that.

Yes, but Tekken 3 dropped nearly the entire Tekken 2 cast and made 15 brand new characters.
So I don't know if Namco is a good comparision in regards to 'playing it safe'.

[Tigerboi]

Yes, but Tekken 3 dropped nearly the entire Tekken 2 cast and made 15 brand new characters.
So I don't know if Namco is a good comparision in regards to 'playing it safe'.

yes, but alot of t3 characters were simply designs based on the older characters.

Jin was basically Kazuya, Howrang stood in for baek, there was a new king, etc.

[Helter Skelter]

yes, but alot of t3 characters were simply designs based on the older characters.

Jin was basically Kazuya, Howrang stood in for baek, there was a new king, etc.

I wouldn't object to that in Street Fighter.

[Pablo_the_Mex]

Ok, we are back on track. This game should be awesome.

[DevilJin 01]

Better for it to play like SF2 and branch out then play like something stupid random that people won't feel is true to SF IMO. I like the way things are going with this game. Blanka's in it, Guile's in it...now we just need some kind of cool ninja. Keep it coming.

[Cascade]

Anyway, most of the new characters in Tekken 3 played nothing like their older counterparts.

Forest Law sure played like Marshall Law, a tweaked version of him at least. Bryan Fury was the closet replacement for Bruce. Having pretty much the same if not most of the moves from the previous characters are nothing more than a copy. Not only Jin was a replacement for Kazuya on T3, Jun was too.

I can see if they had characters that have moves that didn't identify with anyone else.

[DevilJin 01]

Forest Law sure played like Marshall Law, a tweaked version of him at least. Bryan Fury was the closet replacement for Bruce. Having pretty much the same if not most of the moves from the previous characters are nothing more than a copy. Not only Jin was a replacement for Kazuya on T3, Jun was too.

I can see if they had characters that have moves that didn't identify with anyone else.

Yeah...Tekken 3 is definitely differnent from SF3 where Ken, Ryu and Sean were the only characters that played or looked much anything like the characters we remembered from SF2. If there was like some young apprentice of Sagat that looked similarly and played similarly to Sagat...people would have hated a lot less. Especially if most every other character was made in a similar fashion with maybe a few totally new characters to blend out the roster. This is Ono's way of keeping himself safe by throwing in the characters that people remember and working from there instead of taking unnecessary risks with a whole new roster that could backfire. This obviously isn't going to be the only version of SFIV so there's time to add and improve. I'm sure there's people (including myself) who wouldn't mind the change but there's a whole lot of other people who really need their E Honda or Vega fix in the new SF game and are tired of strange ass new characters in the newer SF games.

[Arxinal]

Brings a tear to my eyes...