Street Fighter 5 Roster and Thoughts

Up To Now (End of August 2015)

In case some of you didn't already notice, we are at that place again.

Street Fighter fans have been taken once more by the new chapter being introduced to the fighting game franchise from the late 80's and 90's. Street Fighter 5. What's more, this new addition has gamers from the entire fighting game front following its progress closely (mostly) as opposed to SF fans alone. The reasons are multiple.

Lets get the ugly one out of the way. That being people that are fans of other fighting games and do not realise that it is ok (and actually a good thing) to play more than one fighting game. They hop along as always to share their hate, whining, moaning, complaints, nitpicking, and downsizing/ undermining elements and content in the game just because they see it competitively with regards to their own favourite fighting game experience. And with good reason too perhaps, since SF5 is shaping up to be quite a competitor for the new king of fighters (no pun or metaphor intended, lol).

The rest are hopping along because Capcom is doing the unexpected. They are pulling a 180degree turn on their practices (as some would see it) and are going the right way about making a true competitive fighting game.

Capcom pulls a 180degree turn to win fans all over.

This time around, Capcom is making the game with the fans and gamers themselves. They are more cautious, and more revealing. They have revealed content and characters one by one or in pairs so far, and have looked closely at getting feedback for each one. With events and beta launches in line, they want to do this the right way and make sure the game is as best it can be at launch.

This has gotten the attention from a lot of fighting game fanatics, and it is the clear way to go about a title such as this.

Today, 1 more character was revealed. Rainbow Mika. And with that it seems the rumours or leaks are true (so far). Without further ado, here are my thoughts on all characters revealed thus far.

Street Fighter V Roster So Far

The SFV character/fighter roster so far includes 9 classic characters and 1 new.

With Capcom revealing that there will be 16 characters at launch, 12 classic and 4 new, we are more than half way there to character reveals as a SFV launch comes closer and closer each day.

At the moment we have Ryu and Ken in the roster, along with Chun-Li, Nash (Charlie), M Bison, Cammy, Birdie, Vega, and now Rainbow Mika for 9 classic characters, along with 1 new, Necalli.

Rumours/leaks or what have you, imply that the next characters we can expect include Alex, Urien and Karin, along with 3 completely new characters.

If this holds true, it all comes to about 6 characters from the Street Fighter 2 era (and SSF2), 4 from the Street Fighter Alpha Series, and 2 from the Street Fighter 3 series. That is a good a count as any for the initial launch in my opinion.

On now to each character and my thoughts on each one by one, starting from the latest announcements and going back.

Rainbow Mika (R. Mika)

R. Mika, Rainbow Mika, was as most of you know a character from Street Fighter Alpha 3.

What's to say about this character? First off, it proves the leak was right so far. This fan favourite was one I was thus far not happy with at all and it was (to me at least) quite obvious that the only reason behind some (or most) fans wanting her in the game to be of a "sexual" interest.

I never not once found any fond memory of playing with her in the classic titles and she was simply just another character I enjoyed beating up.

For this reason, it was hard for me to understand why anyone would want her included aside from bewebs being added to the game to spice it up. I could be wrong, but this seems like the most honest thing I can come up with.

Whatever the reason behind liking her, Capcom delivered to the "fan-call" and R. Mika was revealed today.

I was rather excited to be honest to check the trailer out. Why? Well after 9 character reveals and no complaints on each one, is it hard to guess why?

Capcom delivered and they steered clear of the one thing I was afraid of. Aside from Rainbow Mika being a throwback to Anime (and the over-sexualised themes that come with it) she seems to be so much more, adding a form of gameplay that makes it really interesting and cool to look at.

This is probably one of the times were an overly sexualized character like this
is proper, since she is after-all a wrestler and looks every bit the part.
I mean.... wrestling... Male or female. Its all about bulging body parts and tights!  

At last, we have a wrestler that looks to be a lot of fun to play with. Unlike Zangief (which I personally cannot stand) and El Furte (which I would rather pull my eyes out than have to endure looking at him play) R. Mika comes with a whole lot of grappling and an added element of Tag-Teaming opponents. Seeing that SFV will most probably (for now at least) not include a Tag Team game-mode, this is a really cool addition that spices the game up in play-style, all the while making the character fit and make sense with the rest of the SFV mechanics.

Her fighting style was a really unexpected surprise, and well, aside from more female power added in the game to break free from all that male-sweat, this might be the only time I admit that rainbows and bright coloured characters are a great way to spice the game up.

Vega

Vega, the Spanish Ninja returns once more to the series, becoming a staple character it seems as we move forward from here.

Another character I have not been too fond of in the past. Especially with all those charge moves on him.

This time around, aside from deciding to finally hide his chest (almost) with a shirt, Vega is a new-born man, so to speak.

His fighting style includes two stances, one with the claw and one without, whilst losing your claw in combat this time around is permanent (not sure if it is permanent for all rounds in said match after that or just for that one round) and learning to play both ways will be essential.

"Dashing!", Vega looks more fluent than ever.

He truly feels like a Spanish bull fighting ninja this time around, and not just an excuse to make a character with a claw in the game. An interesting take on his fighting was the point I was personally almost completely sold with SFV. After seeing what improvements and advancements they made to Vega I was finally at a place were I could have a lot more faith in what characters will be announced from Capcom, as he quickly became yet another character I can't wait to get my hands on to try out.

Necalli

This character is a completely new addition to the series, and one could call him the Super Saiyan of Street Fighter. Well, if we are going for similarities, we could go as far as saying he is a mix of Blanka, Super Saiyan, Akuma/Oni, Sabertooth with Asura and Evil Ryu and a Wolverine skill set. And that is just a start.

Or we can simply stop nit-picking and take him for what he is, Necalli. I prefer the later.

This guy was a really nice addition to the roster. It is nice to see that the new characters can have a lot of potential. Necalli being the only one revealed for now, the slots for comic-relief characters decrease. If no comic-relief characters make it this time around I would be very happy.

However, seeing how they have managed to pull off all the other characters so far with such quality, I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to add a comic-relief character that would be also a lot of fun and not plain annoying.

Aside from going into ultimate form and remaining in that form permanently, Necalli is the wild-beast of SFV it seems. And I applaud. Mostly so because Capcom with this character was able to bring back a really cool set of skills that will be otherwise hard to include. That being, Wolverine from X-Men vs Street Fighter.

The iconic Super Art of Wolverine, now a Critical Art for Necalli.

Understandably, adding Wolverine to SFV will be quite hard unless Capcom in the future starts signing up cameo deals (same way MKX brought us Jason and the Predator). But now, with Necalli in place, there is hardly a reason to want to do so whilst we get all those cool skills from Wolverine included in the title from launch... and with style.

Nitpickers call Capcom out on this with such remarks the likes of "they had no more originality in them they simply ripped off Wolverine". Perhaps they didn't notice all the changes to every other character thus far.

Regardless, I disagree with them (obviously). Capcom created Wolverine to begin with, and being an X-Men v SF player of old that mained with Akuma, Wolverine, Ryu and Ken (in that order) I am more than happy that they put those great moves to use.

I definitely foresee wasting hours on end checking this guy out to learn him!

Ken Masters

Ryu's sparring partner, close friend, rival, and seemingly brother in a way, was a no-brainer for the inclusion.  Anyone that did not expect him to be included, and even more so whined about him not being revealed sooner (again, in the fear he will not be included) really needs to have a little more faith in companies I think.

Capcom took to create SFV on an open level with the gamers and listen to feedback, does anyone truly believe SFV was going to be absent Ken? Seriously? The second most important character and second-poster-boy after Ryu of the series?

What is truly wonderful to see this time around however, is that Ken is, like Vega, a new-born man.... sort of. Lets just say he is an evolved man.

With a completely different V-Skill than Ryu, ken dashes into the fight as a more aggressive fighter that can cancel moves into the dash and combo up. His V-Trigger is a little punishing, but worth it if done right, making Ken once again faster and more aggressive after a dash. Ken was always the more flashy of the two, and also less keen on holding on to tradition than Ryu. His fighting this time around shows this.

It is also a pleasure to see him in a new look. So all the nit-pickers or haters that whined before his release that Ken and Ryu are nothing but the same character in different colour can finally put their complaints to rest. Not that it would have been a bad thing if they had not changed Ken this time around, but the fact that they did is extra Kudos and shows how serious Capcom is to stray from its routes where need be to make sure it delivers.

The only thing that bothers me with the new design is the the model itself. His face and hair. Something about it all doesn't fit. Too big a mouth? Eyes are too large? Seems that the extra "bump-line" around the eyes of the males makes them look like they have bulging eyes ready to explode. Whilst the hair feels too stiff and like a mop rather than fluent and actual hair. Here is to hoping they fix it up.

Regardless, there are plenty moments during the fight where he simply looks amazing, and perhaps these design elements were designed with the combat in mind and not the cut-scenes. Who knows, he sure does look weird though.

Charlie Nash

Although I liked Charlie/Nash, I wasn't too crazy about him back in the day (SF Alpha times). He grew on me, but only as a substitute to Guile, which was for me a much better character and still is, in many ways.

This time around Nash too experiences a make-over. And perhaps fittingly so seeing as he has come back from the dead and could have picked up a few new traits from the experience.

The biggest and best change? He is no longer a charge character. This helps in making him a much better experience as I have (as already mentioned) never been a real fan of charge characters, with Guile being an exception simply because I loved the character yet still found less enjoyment in his style.

The second thing this helps in is to bring Guile into the game in the future and thus have two different characters and not two substitutes (the same way Ken and Ryu were altered to each other). His V-Skill and V-Trigger make him a complex but very effective combo-character, another trait perhaps taken from Bisons' Psycho power influence? A very welcoming addition to the line-up, whilst he retains his classic look (apart from the stitches) and is probably among the few male characters whose face really fits. (I tell you, its those bulging eyes on the others... something doesn't fit).

The reveal of Charlie was also a clear indication of Capcom going all out on changing up the fighting styles this time around to make each character more unique and fitting to the title. After Charlie/Nash we had the Ken reveal, and if we had any doubts till then Kens' reveal sure showed us otherwise.

M. Bison

The lord of Shadaloo is back. This was surprising to me. I thought we were done with that psycho and his psycho power. I guess not.

Nothing spells evil more than a skull.
Except for a skull with a lightning on it perhaps.

I was truly glad in Street Fighter 3 to have him gone and done with, and Gill was a great new "baddy". Some, or perhaps many, didn't warm up to him as much I guess, but to me he was simply a much better end-game boss than Bison ever was in the previous titles. A Greek-Mythology themed God that wants to take over (or something like that, right?)

And so I wasn't too interested in even paying any attention to M. Bison when he was revealed, to say the least, much less cared for his inclusion.

Regardless, I have to note that he is looking great for those that like his style and play. He has some alterations that balance him out more (psycho crusher is out and replaced with other moves) and he looks to be a true raging psycho-power warrior. Older now, he still rocks the same attire more or less, but that is cool seeing that he is probably more interested in still taking over the world rather than fashion.

I foresee him becoming a real pain against players that master him. His unpredictable nature and cross-ups look, well, psycho.

I would have liked some more changes to him. Perhaps bring him back in a black and red outfit? Something to make him even more menacing. Perhaps give us the feel that now he is back with a vengeance and hence has put on his "black mamba" ;)

Cammy

Yeaaaah! More female power! Bring it!

I love Cammy. Definitely one of my favourite characters from the female roster. Despite me liking her as a story character though, I never really was a Cammy player.... Ever. Still loved her story and part in the game, and there are after-all many reasons to like a character other than simply their fighting style.

Sagat is another character of the same equation for me... I simply didn't enjoy playing with him that much, but regardless loved the guy and always did. I mean come on, he is the Thai King giant and has a pretty cool story of his own.

The new rev-amped Cammy looks to be even more balanced and fluent than ever before. What I liked about her was that some cheese was toned down, seemingly taking away from her some over-powered tactics, and the canon strike feels so much more balanced whilst other moves balance her back out to make her a great combatant.

She is still rocking the same outfit, which is ok I guess since... well it feels like her battle attire at this point and as a soldier it is fitting enough to see her back in the same "uniform" (a little revealing, but we are talking about Manga after-all are we not?).

The cammo has gone, and she has some extra belts and stuff to make her feel more military-like, yet she still rocks those weird fire hydrant water pipe gloves too. Meanwhile, her face is (although a great model that fits, unlike some of the male counterparts) a little off I think with what we are used to. Cammy always had those large eyes. This time round she is after a more realistic look? Or something?

Come on Capcom, admit it, this was where your inspiration for those gloves
came from. Lets be honest now :P

Birdie

Birdie let himself go since Alpha. Who knows why. But man, his parts are hanging. He is so hungry he doesn't say no to a chance to eat even during the fight with his V-Skill and V-Trigger.

Can't say I ever liked him. He was a comic relief character you would love to beat the crap out of back in the Alpha days. At least for me he was. And now he looks to be even more fitting to such a role.

If this is the only comic relief character we get though, I would be a very happy man.

Comic relief fighters are always a part of Street Fighter, and if Birdie is one of them (which he must be, I mean come on, he scratches his ass during the fight and licks a giant doughnut in the end) then chances are that we are less likely to expect a second one in the first roster of 16 characters. Things are looking good in that case.

If however we do get a second comic-relief character, although I would be rather disappointed that Capcom would waste 1 of the remaining 3 slots of new characters and a chance to create something cool to make yet another comic relief character in the series (like we don't have enough already), I can be content with such an action if they follow the footsteps of Birdie.

Why? Well, because he is awesome! Yeap. I said it! Never would I ever expect to see Birdie in a new SF title and like him. And yet, I like him. His campy yet "reachy" fighting style suits him, and honestly he is fun to look at. Even more, he looks like he could be fun to even play with. Maybe I simply like bikers, being one myself (in a way), or maybe I like doughnuts, whatever it is, he is a pleasant addition.

If they treat all the comic relief characters this way then I have no objections. It's not impossible for them to toss in a second comic relief character. It is a long-time SF practice after all.

For Street Fighter 4 we had El Fuerte and Rufus. Both new, and both the most annoying characters ever conceived. Period.

Lets hope this time around they keep impressing, even with such characters and not make the same mistakes that SF4 experienced. Even with Birdie, the roster for SF5 is looking great. It is quite versatile in its themes and moods and the game looks to be a lot of fun already.

Chun-Li

The legs from.... Chinatown? Damn those thighs, like ever before they look like they belong to a bull. Ready and powerful enough to put a hole through a wall with a single kick.

Chun Li is back in SF5 (and I have to admit I did not expect her) and with a bang!

Like Ken, she is much more aggressive and with less charge moves here and there. Even her flash kicks have been changed to a quarter circle. Her V-Trigger puts her into a crazed combo mode, like that old mode in SF-Alpha, and with tweaks here and there she seems to be even more balanced as well.

Being one of the first characters to be revealed, Chun Li showed us in great fashion what SFV was aiming towards. And it isn't short of stunning. The combo-plays and moves and what not involved in her new fighting style improve her and also add to her characteristics in the same way that SFV handles each character this time around. So much attention to detail seems to be at hand with this chapter, it is hard for a fighting game fanatic to not be interested.

My only complaint, is, the outfit. I mean seriously, why? She has been rocking this outfit for so long. In Alpha they changed her up a little, but then other versions had her go back to this traditional Chinese outfit again and again. I would be completely ok if it stuck with her story.

But, she is a police officer, yet this feels more like a traditional outfit she would wear at a costume party. Or, perhaps, in an official Tournament?

A lot of details regarding the story of Street Fighter 5 have still to be revealed. But perhaps this choice here on her outfit is an indication that this time around we are indeed once more in a new Tournament. On the one hand, if not treated right this re-occurance of tournaments is a little tiring. On the other, it is tradition, and could be great. As though the greatest fighters in the world come together every so many years (or ever year) to take part of the World Warrior Tournament.

Either way, I have faith in Capcom that they will treat the story well and do it justice. They have been listening to a lot of feedback from players, and this has been among one such complaints. Keeping the entire story a secret, whilst also signing up new deals for comics and canon stories, I think that we might be introduced into a much deeper story-telling element this time around for Street Fighter standards. They haven't disappointed on the most important part so far (the fighting), so I still have faith they will do it justice.

Ryu

The poster boy. How can there ever be a Street Fighter without Ryu? First to the spotlight for a reveal, with his rival being Chun Li.

What is to say about Ryu? He looks great (despite his eyes and face looking like a fish ready to explode sometimes like Ken, and other times looking simply perfect and menacing).

He is among the few players with the least changes it seems, yet has been balanced into SFV in great fashion.

He still rocks the same outfit, like a true traditional Hado warrior he is, still rocking that red headband as a memento with his battle with Ken, and still the same outfit he had in the dojo. It is filled of tears and wears, and one could say follows the footsteps of Akuma/Gouki. And rightfully so. He is a warrior seeking for the fight and where it takes him, not a model chasing fashion statements and new attires (for all those complaining). Whilst he has always been, despite his might and power, an emotional character. Perhaps the very reason his emotions get the better of him and toss him over into Evil Ryu mode.

Having that said, this seems to be after-all his "boxers' lucky shorts and gloves" outfit. Still rocking the same gloves, and the same belt his master Gouken gave him, etc etc.

Ryu plays like always overall. That is, he is quite improved and balanced out like all characters, but has the least changes and his style remains in tact. That being, your traditional meat and potato shoto warrior.

This time around however his "counter-abilities" shine, and his V-Skill is a parry. Bringing across from SF3 in this way an entire mechanic, and proving that SFV is more than a single mechanic with the new V-Mechanic, since each character introduces or brings back an entire mechanic of his/her own suitable to his/her style.

The parry is something I foresee making Ryu quite powerful. It was after all an extremely powerful tool in SF3, and later in USF4-Omega (Ryu only again). And well, Ryu has been the "counter-master" in a way, and although he is more traditional this time around and with little evolution over his friend and rival Ken, his defensive yet powerful style will make him once again the symbol of respect in SF5 both as lore and in play. He feels even cleaner than he ever did, all the while Capcom in this way achieves to keep both new and old elements within the game and mix it all up perfectly.

Who's Next?

So, who is next? That was actually the marketing line for Mortal Kombat X, but I think Street Fighter 5 ended up being the one to pull it off literally, as we await to see the next character reveal. This weekend there seems to be a new reveal (character perhaps?) at the PAX event. Who will it be?

Lets see if the rumours stand to be true after-all with Karin, Alex and Urien being lined up for the last 3 classical characters returning in SF5. Whilst we can only wonder at this point what exactly the new characters are as well.

These are exciting times to be a SF fan, and in general, a fighting games' fan altogether. Capcom has so far delivered in bringing back all these classical characters in such a fresh way, that no-one can say that SF5 feels like a re-skinned older title. And that is the best part of it all. Capcom has managed to bind the old with the new, giving it a fresh take and spin, and so far things are looking to be quite amazing for the future of SF5.