How do cmfl3x’s thoughts on Super Street Fighter IV & Starcraft 2 differ from espion4ge’s?
Yesterday, espion4ge wrote about his experiences trying to conquer hardcore games these days, and today I will do the same, albeit from a different perspective. I played tons of Starcraft in college as well, but I probably was never as good and usually would win more because of brains then because of actions per minute. That’s not to say I am very smart – it’s more like the only chance I ever had to win was to out-think an opponent, which sometimes was pretty rare. Anyway, when it comes to Street Fighter, my previous idea of strategy can be found here. So while I am finding myself relearning Starcraft in the sequel, for Street Fighter, it’s like I’m seeing the game for the first time, which is pretty cool.
Super Street Fighter IV
I promised myself I wouldn’t buy this game, although my steely resolved crumbled quickly under the weight of Team Leveling Down’s peer pressure (though now they’ve seen me play, bet they wish they hadn’t pressured me. Ha!). Anyway, I still think it’s a little lame that many of this game’s features weren’t in the original, but I think the ability to have lobbies (even though there is no matchmaking for teams) really enhances the hardcore aspects of the game.
For the first time since I was 12 I’m able to actually watch my friends play and learn from them live. So now my head is being flooded with all these new terms and techniques that I’ve never thought about playing a fighting game before. Focus-dash? Check. Anti-air? Check. Closing move? Check. Now that I can watch people who are good play and talk to them at the same time, I am gradually progressing from “no clue whatsoever” to “n00b” and it’s a lot of fun!
As a gamer, I’m generally quite aggressive, but since I’ve chosen Sagat as my main, I’m being taught by my senseis to take a more defensive approach. I’ve cheaped my way into a few victories and drawn the ire of some opponents. It’s awesome! What Super Street Fighter IV is doing is teaching me to actually think as I’m playing fighting games. Like espion4ge, the moves don’t always come out right which is frustrating, but for the first time I am actually starting to understand what moves I should use.
The replay channel in Super Street Fighter IV enhances the hardcore aspect of the game. Although there is no decent search function, I found a couple Sagat replays and found myself thinking about how I could incorporate those techniques into my game. Sitting back and roundhouse kicking won’t work forever! I’m definitely enjoying the game, but I’m also well aware that there will be a specific ceiling on my abilities. If the team battle mode had matchmaking, I’d probably be even more serious about improving my game, but as it stands, it’s not as fun beating 4 random people as it is beating 4 in a team so my motivations to improve may wane quickly without the competitive aspect, especially since I’m never going to put too much serious time into 1v1 stuff. Japanese game design strikes again…unfortunately.
Starcraft II
I just got the beta last Friday and haven’t gotten to put much time into it, but it feels like more of the same from Starcraft and that’s a good thing. I used to random, but since I don’t have the time to learn three races well anymore, I decided to focus on Zerg, my favorite. I’m almost done with my practice matches, which actually counts both 1v1 and 2v2 matches (kinda weird in my opinion). I’m 2-0 in 1v1s and 0-2 in 2v2s, so go figure. The people I played in 1v1 were pretty weak though and if I think they’re weak that’s saying something.
Starcraft 2 is a bit like switching from a single chain bike to a ten speed: the basic concepts are still the same, but a lot of the execution comes out different. Right now I’m just teaching myself hotkeys and tech trees, which isn’t really helping me get to the “strategy” aspect of the real time strategy. I think I’ve figured out a standard build order I like and I’ve been practicing my scouting (a major hole in my game), but I still have no idea when to tech up to Tier 3 and stuff like that. I’ve found that in general I’m pretty confused as to what to do with Zerg in the late game, once my early attack is fended off I’m at a loss for what to do. I’m also still learning the units and counters and maps – I’m looking forward to getting out of the practice league to see more of them.
The other thing that is challenging about Starcraft II is the overall crappiness of my computer; I have everything on the lowest settings and it still slows from time to time. It’s just something I have to deal with. I definitely am enjoying the game though, and I really hope that matchmaking will be such that I can find a nice little niche of decent but not great players who I can play against once the actual game comes out. I am too old to want to be SUPER competitive, but if I can find a nice happy medium where I’m winning only a few more games than I’m losing, I’ll be content. In the original game, I enjoyed 2v2 the most (less pressure, more strategerizing which is what I like to do), so hopefully I can find some partners who want to play regularly! Who knows, maybe some people might even finally quit Halo Wars to play Starcraft II!
The Future
One big difference between espion4ge’s and my hardcore gaming habits is that he’s been married for longer and thus is in a slightly more stable position when it comes to playing time. This weekend, I basically put in one to two hours of SSFIV and SC2 every night, PLUS another hour of FIFA World Cup 2010 to unwind afterwards. My wife was pretty nice about it, but ultimately that’s not going to be a tenable situation. It also makes me cry inside when she mocks me for sweating profusely while trying to execute my combos, so there’s that to contend with as well. Throw in the Halo: Reach Beta for the next two weeks and something’s gonna have to give!
My plan is to try to put an hour into Halo: Reach or SSFIV every night and then play one game of Starcraft 2. I’m perfectly content improving gradually; I just want to be competitive – I don’t need to be a master of anything. Once the real Halo: Reach comes out I definitely would make that my main game since FPS is my preferred genre, but I don’t feel a HUGE need to put too much time into the beta. However my playing time shakes out, I’m going to have no shortage of games to play until late June, so that’s a good thing. The immediate future is looking bright!
Hope you’re enjoying FIFA World Cup. I picked it up on release day and really like it. I enjoyed the 2006 World Cup game on the PS2, and this looks like another good game to play while the real tournament takes place this summer. I think its funny though that its your game to unwind with after the others. Just make sure you don’t go online and play against a hardcore FIFA guy who picks Argentina and Messi scores 6 times on you! That’s stressful!