yikes… i feel like quite the geek after writing all this. i limited myself to the 12 original SF2 characters, plus Akuma.
Akuma: Alpha 3 or Alpha 2 (without CCs and VCs) were both solid. all other incarnations (including 3S) just encouraged use of air fireballs and zoning way too much. A3 and A2 (without CCs or VCs) had awesome rushdown with the hopkick and very fast divekick. it’s possible to play A3 Akuma by running away and building Genei Jin like 3S Yun, but i’m less afraid of rushing down in A3 than i am in 3S.
Ryu: probably Alpha 2. being able to cancel standing short into a fireball was nice, hopkick, and the best fireball in the game (not that there’s a game where Ryu’s fireball isn’t the best in the game). Alpha 3 had a great Ryu too with cancellable hopkick, but he had a lot of crap he didn’t need (level 3 metsu shoryu, f+fierce). 3rd Strike Ryu is a close third. i think it’s the EX fireballs… i like 3S gameplay (pelase don’t shoot me), but the EX fireballs manage to carry over some ST-esque strategies into a game where parry shuts down a lot of old school strats. Denjin is fun too.
Ken: 3rd Strike. no other Ken feels like the close/mid range beast that is 3rd Strike Ken. connecting strong fierce x SA3, short jab short x SA3, axe kick > SA3, or s.MP > SA3 is strangely therapeutic.
Guile: HF. i never played CE all that much, but i knew i preferred HF Guile over WW/Super/ST/CvS2/etc Guile. the step kicks and sobats were much more natural to Nash and the Alpha engine i guess, as well as the supers. i think of Jeff Schaefer’s Guile when i think of how the character should be played, but don’t know enough about CE Guile to say CE > HF. maybe someone could elaborate.
Chun Li: i don’t really play Chun.
Dhalsim: Alpha 3. “rushdown Dhalsim” seems an oxymoron but he realyl has the tools to do it here. and no V-ism knowledge required!
Sagat: probably ST OG Sagat for the tiger gattling gun gameplay. CvS2 low fierce Sagat FTL (not that i play CvS2).
Balrog: probably ST… i honestly haven’t played ST Balrog all that much, but he looks brutal. second place might have to be HF or Alpha 3… i’m aware HF Rog is probably way better tierwise, but i’ve got this fondness for X-Rog and besides, Apoc was beasting Chikyuu with A-Rog. low strong ftmfw.
Bison: CvS2. paint that fence!
E.Honda: honestly can’t say.
Blanka: probably CvS2. i haven’t played Blanka much anywhere, so i only wish i could say.
Zangief: probably A3. i like how his KKK lariat became an anti air, how V gives him unblockables and how he still beasts on the ground w good normals. A-Gief is playable and a lot of fun too.
Vega: probably ST or CvS2. low jump does some really great things for Vega…
thoughts?
