Learning how to play fighting games is not an easy process. For some people it’s more difficult than others. If you’re a veteran to the genre you’ll be able to pick up concepts faster since you already know what to look for. That experience you had playing Street Fighter II back in the early 90s still applies to this day. If anything, you’re probably a better player for that very reason. Many tournament players do so well because they have those fundamentals, which is something that only improves over time.
If you’re new to the genre you will have more of an uphill battle learning even the most basic concepts. The problem with most fighting games is that they don’t even attempt to guide players in the right direction. If you want tips or advice your best bet is the head over to the Shoryuken forums, but even that takes discipline. This makes new players feel intimidated and, quite often, they’ll just quit because they don’t even know how to approach the game properly.
Skullgirls, which was just released earlier this week on the PSN in North America and XBL in North America and Europe, attempts to ease new players into the genre with its extensive tutorial mode. Instead of just writing about what makes this mode so special, I figured it’s better to just show everyone its significance.
As you can see, the tutorial mode is quite extensive. What’s great about this mode is that it introduces concepts that go beyond gameplay mechanics and attempts to teach fundamental basics. Sometimes all players need is a nudge in the right direction. Although it’s not perfect, I would like to see other developers, including Reverge Labs, improve on the idea of tutorials in future fighting games. That way everyone can appreciate the genre as much as the players who live and breathe it at a tournament level.
Skullgirls is now available in North America on the PlayStation Network and in North America and Europe on Xbox Live for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points). There is a trial version, so definitely give the game a shot if you have a chance. Unfortunately, a European PSN release date has not been announced yet.
Shakugan
I enjoyed the demo, so i will get it soon… :D
nofi
The tutorial could last a month and I’d still button mash. =(
Burgess_101
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxX7AFHmOCI
Watched this video on it and I was instantly sold.
colossalblue
I think some sports games started to suffer from this a few years ago – they’re just impenetrable to newcomers because they’re so complicated. Fighting games have their own language too, so it’s very difficult to even follow some of the guides if you’re totally new to it.
Great to see some steps being taken to attempt to untangle the mystery of it all!
Kevatron400
Totally agree – I’d quite like to get into the Madden games but I’m so baffled by the rules of the sport in general, that when you add in game mechanics I’m pretty stumped! Could use a “For noobs” mode.
aerobes
Definitely. I used to be confused by it until I actually got to start watching the sport on TV. Now I understand it and really enjoy it, it’s an interesting and tactical sport that isn’t as complicated as it first seems but you’re absolutely right in that it could use a walkthrough mode of sorts for those wanting to learn but don’t yet understand.
KeRaSh
You can get away with only knowing the basics of American Footbal pretty easy. Just watch a few games and you can guess your way through it. :P
I love the sport but certainly don’t know every rule either.
Jim Hargreaves
Great vid Del. Until Mortal Kombat last year, I was fairly bewildered by modern fighting games. Will hopefully get to give Skullgirls a blast or maybe wait for MK Vita.
Delriach
Thanks. If anyone has suggestions feel free to let me know too. I know the mic quality sounds low for some people. I’ll see if I can fix that next time. It’s been awhile since I’ve done anything like this so I’m a bit rusty. Heh.
Nate
I love fighting games, but having grown up on the likes of Bloody Roar and Soul Caliber I feel completely out of touch with these tournament style fighters. I’m too old, stupid and slow to learn complicated combos, my fingers can’t fathom more than 3 inputs at a time. Gone are the days I can circle around spamming kick.
Nate
My gripe with the game in particular was how the tutorial mode didn’t show you what buttons meant what. I don’t know what a s.HP is, and had to hit all the buttons until I found it. The lack of a movelist in the menu is also a big omission.
Sympozium
I was a bit miffed that this didn’t make it to the EU PSS… really annoyed. Anyway nice artice, its really helpful.
Eldave0
Played the demo and enjoyed it but alas it’s probably a little too tricky for me. Even on easy/sleepwalk difficulty I was regularly falling into massive combos that pretty much wiped me out in one go.
Forrest_01
I used to be a massive fighting game fan & this would have featured highly on my ‘to get’ list, but alas these days, i neither have the time nor patience for them.
It’s not that they are any worse (as they aren’t, in fact many have improved massively) & i can still hold my own at times, but i have come to the realisation that when it comes to selecting a game i want to play, i generally skip over them for something a little more story driven.