All Articles: Street Fighter V

The 2018 Capcom Pro Tour season came to a close this weekend with the crowning of a new champion at the Capcom Cup. Tsunehiro “gachikun” Kanamori won the Street Fighter V tournament (and the $250,000 prize), but Capcom also used the opportunity to unveil the first new character from the game’s Season 4 expansion.

Kage is described as “The Embodiment of the Satsui,” and serves as an even more evil mirror to Ryu than the fighter’s “Evil Ryu” alterego:

The Satsui no Hado is a dark force tied to the more sinister aspects of the human soul, including the hunger to survive, destroy, and conquer. Those who learn to control it become nearly unstoppable, but at the cost of their humanity. Akuma is one of these beings. In the past, Ryu was constantly struggling with keeping the Satsui no Hado at bay. If he was hypothetically unable to control it, Evil Ryu would manifest and bring a dark obsession to the otherwise peaceful Ryu. However, after the events of Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, Ryu was able to overcome the Satsui no Hado’s temptation to ensure Evil Ryu would never see the light.

However, the Satsui no Hado living within Ryu became sentient and would rise as the entity known as Kage, meaning “shadow” in Japanese. Kage lives to prove Ryu is nothing without him and seeks to challenge Akuma and Sagat, two of Ryu’s most notorious rivals. Will Ryu succumb to Kage’s schemes?

According to the Capcom-Unity blog, Kage will bring “his own twist” to Ryu’s moveset:

V-Skill: Senha Kassatsu – Kage gathers energy into his fist and lunges forward to punch the opponent. Senha Kassatsu has armor and can be charged for a more devastating blow.

V-Trigger I: Taigyaku Mudo – In this two-bar V-Trigger, Kage unlocks Ashura Senku, a teleport move that is performed by pressing HP+HK. Ashura Senku can be used on the ground and in the air as an air dash, which opens up multiple mix-up options and flashy combos. Taigyaku Mudo also improves Kage’s V-Skill so that he can now combo into it while the fully charged version will crumple the opponent.

V-Trigger II: Rikudo Osatsu – In this three-bar V-Trigger, Kage unlocks Misogi, a move that sends him into the skies before crashing down on the opponent by pressing HP+HK. Misogi can be cancelled into by a number of normal and specials, including blocked sweeps, which makes it a pressure monster.

Critical Arts: Metsu Shoryuken – Ryu’s iconic super from previous games lets everyone know that Kage is indeed a part of Ryu. Kage does a devastating upper cut that ends in a flash full of red.

Kage is now available to download for Street Fighter V on the PC and PS4. Unlike previous seasons, Capcom won’t offer an all-you-can-eat Season Pass option for Season 4. Instead, Kage can be purchased individually for $5.99 or with 100,000 Fight Money.

Two new trailers featuring the character can be found after the break. (more…)

Send in the clones…

Capcom has announced Falke, yet another clone of M. Bison, will be the next downloadable character added to Street Fighter V. Falke will be available to download on April 24, and like Gambit, she has “the unique ability to infuse Psycho Power into objects and release it through them”:

Character Overview
Falke was built to be an alternative clone for M. Bison. She was heavily experimented on by Shadaloo and was forced to train day in, day out to achieve perfection. Falke has the unique ability to infuse Psycho Power into objects and release it through them, mainly through her staff, which she named Harmony. Years of harsh training went by, causing Falke to spiral deep into despair, wishing for it all to end. Finally, Ed came to her rescue and they both were able to escape Shadaloo. Now, the two have a sibling-like bond and are searching for others like them in need of help.

Be sure to check out the trailer embedded above for your first look at Falke, and also head over to the Capcom-Unity blog for a ridiculously in-depth look at her fighting style:

V-Skill: Psycho Trombe
Falke extends one arm and spins her staff in front of her. Psycho Trombe on its own can be cancelled into by a variety of normal moves and can also be used to absorb projectiles.

V-Trigger I: Staerken
In this two-block V-Trigger, Falke powers up her ability to infuse and release Psycho Power from her staff and will allow her to use additional versions of her special moves without needing to charge up in advance.

Pressing HP+HK again during this V-Trigger will cause Falke to use Psycho Shrot, a powered up version of Psycho Kugel that emits three bullets and travels further. Pressing down and HP+HK will see Falke using Psycho Panzer, a powered up version of Psycho Kanonen that deals more damage. Finally, pressing HP+HK in the air will cause Falke to use Psycho Jaeger, a stronger Psycho Feder that can ricochet off the ground. Psycho Shrot and Kanonen can be cancelled into each other and can leave the opponent prone to a Critical Art.

V-Trigger II: Psycho Angriff
In this three-block V-Trigger, Falke increases her ability to utilize her staff in various ways. Upon activation, Falke will immediately twirl around hitting the opponent into the air, which she then follows up with a surge of Psycho Power.

Pressing HP+HK during this V-Trigger will result in Falke using Psycho Sturm, a sweeping hit with her staff that can be cancelled into to extend combos. Pressing down and HP+HK will see Falke using Psycho Klinge, where she jumps diagonally into the air before slamming her staff down on the opponent and can be followed up with normal moves. Falke’s V-Skill, Psycho Trombe, can also reflect projectiles during Psycho Angriff.

Finally, each of the new moves Falke gains during Psycho Angriff can be cancelled into from special moves like Psycho Schneide and Katapult, increasing her combo potential and damage.

Critical Art: Psycho Fluegel
With a Psycho Power-charged staff, Falke launches opponents into the air. She then pole vaults up to meet her opponent, whacks them sideways with her staff, then slams them down with a final overhead swing.

Falke will be available to download in Street Fighter V individually for $5.99, or as part of the Season 3 Character Pass. Players who’ve accumulated enough playtime can also unlock the character for free using 100,000 Fight Money, Street Fighter V’s in-game currency.

It’s not easy being green, and Street Fighter V players will find out just how true that is next week, as Capcom has announced that Blanka will be available to download on February 20. The Brazilian jungle lord first appeared in Street Fighter II, and according to the Capcom-Unity blog, his latest incarnation will still feature plenty of lightning strikes and rolling attacks:

About Blanka
Blanka’s gameplay remains animalistic in nature and sees him scratching, leaping, and pummeling opponents reflecting his time in the jungle. He retains his signature Electric Thunder attack that emits electrical currents around his entire body, which can be continuously performed by repeatedly pressing his punch buttons. Also returning are his multiple rolling attacks, which can be used to approach opponents from different angles or used as a combo ender.

You can check out how Blank’s fighting style has evolved for Street Fighter V in the trailer embedded above, and his special moves are detailed right here:

V-Skill: Coward Crouch
Blanka immediately ducks for cover for a short time before rising back up. His V-Skill can avoid many attacks, including fireballs. After performing Coward Crouch, Blanka can follow up with either Wild Lift (Punch Button) or Raid Jump (Kick Button). Wild Lift sees Blanka move forward while swinging his arms up to launch the opponent in the air and can be followed up by a normal, special move, or even a Critical Art. Using Raid Jump, Blanka swiftly jumps in the air where he can use any mid-air attack to advance.

V-Trigger I: Jungle Dynamo
Blanka’s V-Trigger I gives his special roll attacks more damage and can then be followed up by certain attacks, including his Critical Art. It also powers up his Electric Thunder and changes the animation so Blanka steps forward while unleashing the electric current. On hit, the opponent is launched slightly in the air and can be followed up with a rolling attack.

Finally, Jungle Dynamo unlocks Ground Shave Rolling (HP+HK), which can be used as a combo extender or a way to charge in. This move was a super move in previous games, but is now a special move in SFV: AE.

V-Trigger II: Lightning Beast
Lightning Beast unlocks a special move, Rolling Cannon (Direction + HP+HK), which can be performed after using Rolling Attack, Back Step Rolling, and Vertical Rolling. Rolling Cannon can be used in multiple ways, such as extending a combo for more damage or changing positions to surprise the opponent.

Critical Art: Dynamic Rolling
In this Critical Art, Blanka slams his opponent into the ground in a series of electrifying rolls that ends in a move reminiscent of Lightning Cannonball from Street Fighter IV.

Blanka will be available to download for free as part of Street Fighter V’s Season 3 Character Pass. He can also be obtained as a standalone download ($5.99) or with in-game currency (100,000 Fight Money).

It looks like Street Fighter V‘s third year is going to be big. And Capcom wants to show fans how big by fully unveiling the fighters included in the Season 3 Character Pass in a new trailer. The season will begin on January 16 with the release of Sakura, who made her first appearance in Street Fighter Alpha 2. Players who purchase the Season 3 Character Pass (for $29.99) will also receive access to Blanka, Cody, Sagat, and newcomers Falke and G throughout 2018.

A new post on the Capcom-Unity blog offers up some details on how her fighting style will change in Street Fighter V:

About Sakura
First appearing in Street Fighter Alpha 2, Ryu’s number one fan returns to the series with a new outlook on life. After graduating high school, Sakura now works part-time at an arcade, but wonders what decisions she needs to make in order to be satisfied with her future.

This time, Sakura has a new move, Tengyo Hadoken, where she fires a fireball diagonally into the air that can act as an anti-air. In addition, her V-System that is detailed below gives her more tools to open up opponents. Overall, Sakura’s fighting style remains similar to her past appearances as she pummels opponents with flurries of quick attacks along with her trademark Hadoken, Shouoken, and Shunpukyaku.

V-Skill: Haru Kaze
Sakura leaps into the air towards the opponent, which can then be followed up by three different options. Hitting punch will result in one of her signature moves, Sakura Otoshi, which can be pressed up to three times to continue the combo. Following up with a kick will trigger Oukakyaku, a forward flip that can act as a divekick. Finally, pressing throw (LP+LK) after Haru Kaze will result in Kashinfu, a command grab that that sees Sakura using her opponent as a spring board to jump back.

V-Trigger I: Haru Arashi
Upon activation, Sakura’s fists are enveloped by blue energy that powers up Hadoken and Tengyo Hadoken, giving them both an additional hit. Landing a hit will also cause your opponent to be put into a juggle state giving you an opportunity to land additional attacks. She can also press HP+HK again to use Hogasho, a powerful palm thrust.

V-Trigger II: Sakura Senpu
This time, Sakura’s fists and feet become enveloped by blue energy that powers up Shouoken and Shunpukyaku. Landing a hit will send your opponent flying into the air where you can cancel into V-Skill to follow up with either Sakura Otoshi or Oukakyaku. Both moves are improvements to their EX version and can be performed up to four times before Sakura Senpu ends.

Critical Art: Sakura Rain
Sakura’s Critical Art draws inspiration from her past Super Combos. If used away from the opponent, it will only be a high-damaging Hadoken. However, if Sakura can land this Critical Art right next to the opponent, it’ll go into a special animation that deals significantly more damage.

Capcom also revealed the Opening Cinematic from Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, an updated version of the game that’ll include downloadable access to all Season 1 and Season 2 characters. The Arcade Edition will be available for the PC and PS4 on January 16, and you can view the Opening Cinematic (which features appearances from all six Season 3 characters) after the break. (more…)