Ben-DutkaStreet Fighter . Tekken . Combine them and what do you get? One of those fighting games that appeals to a huge number of gamers. Many of the most recognizable faces from both franchises will throw down next year in Street Fighter X Tekken , which features two-on-two brawl-fests designed to satisfy the hardcore as well as the casual combat aficionado. While Soul Calibur V is already stealing a bunch of headlines, Capcom’s crossover fighter has a lot going for it; we love the tag-team combinations and the roster is just sweet . From old-school characters like Yoshimitsu and Ryu to newer faces like Poison; take your pick!
In this game, tag combos are called Cross Rushes: if you can compete a certain combination of attacks, your partner will jump in and give you a chance to keep the chain running. You may have seen this in Marvel vs. Capcom but remember that you need to start these Cross Rushes with specific maneuvers. It’s basically a juggling feature and if you can master it, you’ll be primed and ready to take on any opponent. Also, let’s not forget about the Cross Assault, which is a fresh look at the dramatic battle mode from the Alpha series. Basically, this takes the 2-on-2 format and changes it to 2-on-1. It’s not a bad way to shake things up, really.
Basically, you slam into your foe with both teammates. You control one; AI controls the other. On the flip side, doing this completely drains your Super meter so you can’t rely on Cross Assault for easy wins. If anything, it’s probably best to keep it in reserve until you absolutely need it. For the most part, it’s the roster that’s going to sell this one: in addition to Ryu and Yoshimitsu (as mentioned above), the game welcomes Chun Li, Guile, Nina, Ken, Marduk, King, Bob, and more. At its core, the fighting mechanic uses the same 6-button system Street Fighter fans know and love. Plus, Tekken followers get their 4-button layout.
The same traditional combos and attacks should be included for every character and of course, the battle enhancers will make a triumphant return, too- launchers and switching (and switch canceling) are basic moves every stalwart fighter must learn. Capcom promises to bring together the wondrous 3D and 2D worlds from each respective franchise, and we’re hoping that fans of each series will love the experience. And if you really think about it, Street Fighter and Tekken fans have been jawing at each other for years…now’s the time to settle the debate once and for all. What’s next? Soul Calibur X Virtua Fighter ?
By the way, make sure to check out the game’s official website for character breakdowns, gameplay details, and a few very impressive trailers.
