2D Fighter Recommendations?

[Flux]

I'm thinking I'm going to try to get into a 2D fighter of some sort. I've got a little experience from UMvC3 and Street Fighter 2 and some 3D experience from a plethora of Tekken games that might carry over, but I've never really dedicated much time to learning 2D fighters. Are there any recommendations from people here? I've been mainly looking at either Blazblue: Chronphantasma Extend or Street Fighter V (Or maybe IV? I know it hasn't been out long yet, but I've heard some rumors that SFV isn't being received that well by the competitive community. I'm not sure how much truth those rumors hold though. But if I do get into Street Fighter, I want to go with whichever game the competitive community goes with.) I played a bit of Blazblue: Continuum Shift casually and really liked the characters and gameplay, but I'm wondering if I should give something else a chance, like the super-popular Street Fighter series. Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Skullgirls were other potential options, though I don't think Skullgirls' art style is really for me. I was also pretty interested in King of Fighters, but I've heard that the series has kind of died out among the fighting game community recently.

[Tomas Elliot]

As a long-time Blazblue fan (and a frustrated one, as Italy never got CP so I am stuck with the first two) I really cannot recommend it enough. It's spiritual predecessor Guilty Gear is also very good. If you don't mind the fanservice (ir if you actively seek it lol), the Arcana Hearts series is also an option.

[Cepheus]

The thing with Street Fighter V is

- at the moment it is more like an early access title, since core features are missing (the shop where you spend the ingame currency on costumes etc., the complete cinematic storymode).

Reasons for that are the upcoming fighting tournaments (EVO, Capcom invitational or whatever) - Capcom wanted to give the players some time to play and practice, since SFV will be played at those tournaments.

- There are compatability problems with Fight-sticks on the PC. PC version currently only uses X-Input [which is X-Box standard] and PS4 uses D-Input [PS4 and Arcade standard] - therefore PS4 and Arcade sticks don't work on the PC version. (patch is currently worked on)

- unskippable, TERRIBLE, tutorial (it doesn't even allow you to go into options to change button-configuration!!)

other than that, the game runs smooth (online depends on your connection obviously) - and can be really fun

!!!! all the "bad" points are more in the surroundings and not the actual gameplay

-----

Mortal Kombat X(L) - just got a Netcode update, making online battle so much more fun, smooth and consistent.

the different variations per character give a lot of diversity even among the same characters (even if some variations are arguably much better/easier to play/stronger than others)

high grade of brutality and gore - stay away if you don't want it! But highly recommended if you don't really mind.

can't really say about tutorials or others... since I only watch it

(additional + are the cameo characters, like Alien and Predator, Jason Vorhees and Leatherface [Alien and Leatherface just got added])

-----

Guilty Gear Xrd Sign is also pretty good one - although very ANIME in style

haven't really followed this one, except wathcing a few videos/streams

-----

UMvC3 - well the thing is: if you don't play GOD-Tier characters you are mostly screwed... this game is sooooo unbalanced it's not even funny... (or maybe it's funny because it is unbalanced?)

you only see the same 5-8 characters every match... with a roster of like...40?

(and inifinte-combos are really no fun)

-----

Depending on which platform you play... if you have an XBoxOne I highly recommend Killer Instinct!

Season 3 is about to come out with new characters.

(and I think with Season 3 it will launch on Windows 10 Store allwoing cross platform play...)

If you are interested in SFV, MKXL or KI I highly recommend

https://www.youtube.com/user/Miles923 aka Maximillian_Dood

to watch a bit to see if you like what you see

[Shanco]

The SFV tutorial is skippable.

Also I'm gonna give a shoutout to Killer Instinct, which is actually kinda easy to get into from Street Fighter. It's fast-paced, I've had a ton of fun with it, and there's actually a healthy competitive scene with a new season coming up at the end of the month. It was exclusive to XBOX One before, but with the new season will come a PC version which should run pretty well on medium-performance computers.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

S T R E E T

F I G H T E R

V

IT's great.

Also as Reborn's Self Proclaimed Skullgirls Champion I need to give it a shoutout as well. It's great as well!

[Chevaleresse]

Touhou Hisoutensoku is pretty good in my limited experience.

[Flux]

As a long-time Blazblue fan (and a frustrated one, as Italy never got CP so I am stuck with the first two) I really cannot recommend it enough. It's spiritual predecessor Guilty Gear is also very good. If you don't mind the fanservice (ir if you actively seek it lol), the Arcana Hearts series is also an option.

Is there much difference gameplay-wise between BB and GG? They're made by the same company, but I get a vibe that people prefer GG a little more. Personally, I found Blazblue to have much more appealing characters, but I don't really know much about GG... Apparently both Blazblue and GG are getting new releases (this year?) too, though I think GG's is a bit farther in the works than BB's, since there's no release date for a console version of Central Fiction yet. If I were to try GG, I'd probably wait until Revelator comes out so as to have the newest version.

Mortal Kombat X(L) - just got a Netcode update, making online battle so much more fun, smooth and consistent.

the different variations per character give a lot of diversity even among the same characters (even if some variations are arguably much better/easier to play/stronger than others)

high grade of brutality and gore - stay away if you don't want it! But highly recommended if you don't really mind.

can't really say about tutorials or others... since I only watch it

(additional + are the cameo characters, like Alien and Predator, Jason Vorhees and Leatherface [Alien and Leatherface just got added])

I've actually already played a bit of MKX at a friend's place. I grew up on MK, but left it for Tekken because of the combo system. However, I did find MKX to be really fun, moreso any other MK game so far. I'm just a bit concerned that it doesn't have the depth for something I'd want to play with a competitive mindset. I've heard you tend to see the same few characters doing the same combo over and over.

UMvC3 - well the thing is: if you don't play GOD-Tier characters you are mostly screwed... this game is sooooo unbalanced it's not even funny... (or maybe it's funny because it is unbalanced?)

you only see the same 5-8 characters every match... with a roster of like...40?

(and inifinte-combos are really no fun)

UMvC3's combo system is simultaneously my favorite and least favorite part of it. I actually already own the game, but I've only ever really played it casually. I like how deep the combo system is, but as you said, it favors certain characters objectively over the rest. Thankfully, some of my favorite characters are those top tier characters, such as Vergil and Morrigan, but my other issue with the game is execution. Long combos including flight cancels and whatnot are so complicated and demanding to do that it almost takes the fun out of it for me. I'm sure if I really dedicated myself to it I could learn them (I've already managed some shorter versions in practice), but I'm worried I'll end up hating playing the game along the way. Maybe the end result is worth it though.

If you are interested in SFV, MKXL or KI I highly recommend

https://www.youtube.com/user/Miles923 aka Maximillian_Dood

to watch a bit to see if you like what you see

I've actually seen a few of his videos already. He seems like a pretty insightful guy and has a lot of good stuff to say about fighting games in general.

It seems like Street Fighter is of course a popular pick as well. I might just end up getting SFV alongside another one of these games, possibly Blazblue. I've been out of the loop on Street Fighter since SF2, so it's been a while, and I've been meaning to get back into it at some point anyway. Anyway, thanks to those who responded! I have a much better idea where things are at now, though I'm still not 100% decided on what I'll choose.

[Combat]

I'm not a huge fan of fighting games, or more specifically, fighting games that have those quarter circle spinning to do moves mechanics games, but I can say Injustice: Gods Among Us is a fairly solid game, assuming you don't mind superheroes.

[Tomas Elliot]

Is there much difference gameplay-wise between BB and GG? They're made by the same company, but I get a vibe that people prefer GG a little more. Personally, I found Blazblue to have much more appealing characters, but I don't really know much about GG... Apparently both Blazblue and GG are getting new releases (this year?) too, though I think GG's is a bit farther in the works than BB's, since there's no release date for a console version of Central Fiction yet. If I were to try GG, I'd probably wait until Revelator comes out so as to have the newest version.

GG is, for all intents and purposes, the precursor of BB. So yeah, it features slower animations and less convoluted combo mechanics, which... Has advantages and disadvantages really. On the plus side, it is not as combo-centric as BB (in GG, you can win matches even if you don't obsessively seek a combo out of each hitconfirm, while in BB... Well, at higher plays, every time you don't land a combo you are 100% guaranteed to eat one), and when you do go for combos, it is a bit easier to string them together, as most hitconfirms are more intuitive and untech times are slightly longer. On the other hand, between its signature Drive system, its multiple side mechanics geared towards squeezing even more hits into every combo, and the ridiculous amount of options that open with each hitconfirm, Blazblue is harder to master, but it truly helps you feel the uniqueness of each character. Hazama, Carl, Relius, Rachel, the Murakumos and, in more recent installments, Bullet and Amane, just to name a few from the top of my head, are characters the likes of which you have never seen in any other fighting game, and you probably will never see again. Add an overall better plot, often told with VN elements (there is even a prequel series of VNs called Xblaxe, if you are interested), and you see that characters are much more interesting, fascinating and unique (in one word: memorable) in BB, compared to GG... Although make no mistake about it, GG is no slouch either.

[Alex]

casually mentions persona 4 arena

[Godot]

GG is, for all intents and purposes, the precursor of BB. So yeah, it features slower animations and less convoluted combo mechanics, which... Has advantages and disadvantages really. On the plus side, it is not as combo-centric as BB (in GG, you can win matches even if you don't obsessively seek a combo out of each hitconfirm, while in BB... Well, at higher plays, every time you don't land a combo you are 100% guaranteed to eat one), and when you do go for combos, it is a bit easier to string them together, as most hitconfirms are more intuitive and untech times are slightly longer. On the other hand, between its signature Drive system, its multiple side mechanics geared towards squeezing even more hits into every combo, and the ridiculous amount of options that open with each hitconfirm, Blazblue is harder to master, but it truly helps you feel the uniqueness of each character. Hazama, Carl, Relius, Rachel, the Murakumos and, in more recent installments, Bullet and Amane, just to name a few from the top of my head, are characters the likes of which you have never seen in any other fighting game, and you probably will never see again. Add an overall better plot, often told with VN elements (there is even a prequel series of VNs called Xblaxe, if you are interested), and you see that characters are much more interesting, fascinating and unique (in one word: memorable) in BB, compared to GG... Although make no mistake about it, GG is no slouch either.

^Biased and full of misinformation. (I am not trying to be mean, but I strongly disagree.)

If I look back at this later I will explain my reasoning, but can't ATM.

As for a game you can jump into and play that is being taken seriously, play SFV. I would also ignore all the talk coming from the casual players about the game coming out too early. Since the game is early it will be easier to get into. Also since every fighting game ever steals from SF, it is good to get used to SF before you jump into any other fighter. The issue with GG, BB, and P4A is that their competitive scene is weak and almost non-existent. The games are also somewhat harder to get into and involve some kind of solid FG knowledge. And even though I like P4A, Skull Girls, Injustice, and Mortal Kombat, I would strongly discourage getting into those since they are either dead or soon to be dead fighters. Ki is pretty legit though. And the issue with SF4 is that is a late in it's life game and people have fracked that shit open hard, so it will be hard to pick up and play.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

P4A, Skull Girls, Injustice, and Mortal Kombat, I would strongly discourage getting into those since they are either dead or soon to be dead fighters.

Well Skullgirls PC actually has a very resilient fanbase, but I get what you mean. Ever Skullgirls tournament I join, I play against the exact same players. It's a group of 50 people playing in Europe, 50 in the US, and 100 in Japan. Not much bigger than that as far as competitive goes.

[Shanco]

Naaah. Mortal Kombat X's competitive scene is alive and well.

Granted, it's not on the level of Smash Bros or Street Fighter, but it's doing very well for itself. Not to mention, with the new patch came some remade netcode which makes the game run almost flawlessly online. A recommended game right after Killer Instinct.

[Godot]

But MK isn't fun =[

[Flux]

But MK isn't fun =[

I found MKX to be pretty fun when I played it, though I can't see myself taking it beyond the realm of casual play. I try to be as good as I can be in any game, don't get me wrong, but I don't see myself doing outside research on combos or neutral game or anything like that for MK.

Smash Melee will always be my main thing, but the way things are now, SFV and Blazblue are looking the most appealing for 2D fighters. KoF XIII is also pretty cheap on Steam right now, so I might pick that up too at some point. To those who it applies, do you play SFV on console or Steam? If console, which one?

[Godot]

It does t matter for SFV what console you play on. PS4 and Steam players can you play together.

My issue with MK is that it is fun on a casual level, but if you try anything more than that, it is a bit painful. They made actually learning the game kinda painful. I can't play anyone but Scorpion.

The problem with BB is that no one plays it.

[Shanco]

KoF XIII is also pretty cheap on Steam right now, so I might pick that up too at some point. To those who it applies, do you play SFV on console or Steam? If console, which one?

First off, with KoF XIV coming up, you can either wait until then or get XIII now while it's cheap to get things figured out in time for XIV's release. It that were me I'd do the latter.

I play SFV on console. As far as consoles go it is only available for PS4; Sony did fund it after all, and getting cross-platform multiplayer to work with any Xbox console can be a big hassle, if not impossible. Tekken 7 will also be PS4 exclusive, but that could be for a different reason because no PC version exists (Japanese market catering, maybe).

Now that I think about it, T7 has an arcade version...where's SFV's...?

[Flux]

First off, with KoF XIV coming up, you can either wait until then or get XIII now while it's cheap to get things figured out in time for XIV's release. It that were me I'd do the latter.

I had heard about XIV, but XIII was appealing to me for two main reasons. One, as you said, is that it's a cheaper game and would allow me to get familiar with the series for less of a price. That way if I'm not that into it, I'm not out $60. The other thing is that KoF XIV uses 3D models and tbh, their 3D models kind of suck... Half the characters don't even look like the same character aside from their clothes. If I actually like the gameplay enough, that will become a fairly minor issue and playing the most recent version will be more important, but yeah.

Tekken 7 will also be PS4 exclusive, but that could be for a different reason because no PC version exists (Japanese market catering, maybe).

I've been eagerly awaiting Tekken 7 for a couple years now, so I'll definitely be picking that one up. Tekken is the only fighter (Unless you count Smash) that I actually have spent time getting into already. I've been playing since Tekken 4.

I didn't know that SFV didn't have an arcade version though. Would that have anything to do with it being an early release? I'd imagine it's easier to submit a mass patch for PS4 than for an arcade system, so maybe they're waiting until it's finished? Most fighting games tend to get arcade versions before consoles to my knowledge.

[Godot]

I cannot contain my hype for Alex.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

I cannot contain my hype for Alex.

Who needs Alex when you have

MUSCLE SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flux]

I have one more question for the Street Fighter players out there. It's more of a curiosity than anything, but how are the buttons mapped on console controllers? I know a lot of people use an arcade stick, and I've thought about trying one out, but for now I play most fighting games with the PS3/PS4 controller. When I played Street Fighter 2, I used a controller with 6 buttons, one for each of the L M H punches and kicks. How do they fit that onto 4 buttons for modern consoles? Are R1/L1 mapped to something now?

[Shanco]

Here are the default controls from the Street Fighter V manual:

[Godot]

I have R1 as HP, R2 as HK, L1 as all three punches, and L2 as V-Trigger.

[Flux]

Thanks! ^^

I was just a bit curious how it worked out now, but that pretty much sums up how I thought things would be, more or less. I've also never played a Street Fighter game with supers and/or whatever the V things are, so that'll be new. I'm hoping to main Vega when I do get the game though. He was my favorite back in the day.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

I have R1 as HP, R2 as HK, L1 as all three punches, and L2 as V-Trigger.

Wow that's almost exactly what I have. Instead of V-Trigger I have it on V-Skill, I need it so I can MUSCLE FLEX more easily.