Mind over matter is a valid adage in the world of fighting games. Most matches are won by knowledge and good decision-making; not through large combos. However, the human mind can’t always be counted on when it’s under enough stress. Players in fighting games sometimes choke, just like anyone in any form of competition.
How can you take advantage of a choking opponent without caving under pressure yourself? Find out in this installment of the Universal Fighting Game Guide
In the vast majority of fighting games, the only thing separating you from your opponent is empty space. While there isn’t anything tangible in between, it’s imperative that you control that empty space. At this point, it’s fair to ask, “How do you control empty space?” and, “What does this have anything to do with fighting games?”.
With this latest instalment of the Universal Fighting Game Guide, let’s cover the concept of space management. We’ll discuss what that means, the different ranges you should be mindful of, and how to control space in a way that gives you a distinct advantage over your opponent.
Everything in life has a physical and mental aspect to it. Fighting games are no different. The physical element comes down to your ability to execute the maneuver you want at the time you want it, regardless of the circumstances that may make you mess it up. When it comes to improving one’s ability to play a fighting game, most guides and training aids will focus on the physical aspect of fighting games.
With that said, the mental aspect of fighting games shouldn’t be overlooked. I’d go as far as to say that the mental aspect of fighting games is far more important than any physical factor. In today’s edition of the Universal Fighting Game Guide, let’s cover the mental element that will play the biggest part in your success or failure. That element is mind games.
Fraud detected! Though I may be lukewarm on Divekick, that doesn’t mean I can’t provide any useful tips for players looking to be the next Uncle Sensei. Head over to Splitkick for all of the details!
Check out the Kickstart Guide to Divekick on Splitkick.com
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Fighting games are some of the most difficult and intimidating to learn. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed by all of the variables at play, from complex button inputs, to a seemingly endless stream of online competition ready to beat you to a pulp and brag about it. Even fights against the computer can prove difficult when it appears to have a counter to all of your tactics. How does one get better at fighting games?
Before the advent of training mode, all you could do was suck until you eventually didn’t suck. Then training modes became standard on console fighters, though it was mostly used as a place to practice combos rather than actually learning the nuances of combat. As a means of addressing this shortcoming, fighting game developers have implemented tutorial-like modes into their games. However, I still feel like they’ve all fallen short in some way or another. The end result is the fact that most games in the genre do an inadequate job of teaching players how to actually play, which will drive those dedicated enough to seek information elsewhere, or drive others (maybe most) away.
What can fighting game creators do to help players become better grasp their games? I think they’re almost there, but not quite. Why?
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is still one of the best and hottest fighting games around. If you’re a beginner-level player and are looking to improve your skills, my Kickstart Guide on Splitkick might be the boost you need!
Check out the Kickstart Guide to Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
If you’ve ever played a fighting game with another person before, I’m sure you’ve discussed the hot-button topic of which character is best. You may have tried to rank these characters from best to worst. For a handful of seriously dedicated individuals, you may have even gone through the painstaking process of trying to mathematically calculate that pecking order.
Tier lists are a hotly-debated topic in any sort of competitive game. For better or worse, their presence in the competitive fighting games can’t be understated. In today’s world of online discussion and information transfer, you’re just a Google search away from finding dozens of different tier lists for any given fighting game written by players with various levels of understanding. Before you cling to a tier list written by a random message board user as fact, let’s take a moment to learn what tier lists are, how they work and what they’re good for.
Many moons ago, I wrote a post about how to read frame data. While this post is great on its own (and is one of the most popular on my site) I never got around to providing any practical applications of frame data. In this edition of the Universal Fighting Game Guide, I’ll provide an explanation for frame advantage and a practical use for it, which is crucial to grasp if you’re looking to elevate your game.
Before you read through this, I strongly recommend going back and reading my guide that explains how to read frame data. This particular edition of the guide won’t do you much good if you don’t understand the basics of frame data, so please check that out first. If you’ve already done that or already know the basics, then let’s move on with the show.
Since his release as a DLC character in Injustice: Gods Among Us, Scorpion has quickly risen in popularity. This is partially due to him being the most recognizable character from Mortal Kombat, but also because he seems unstoppable. At this point in the game’s life, you’re bound to run into a ton of Scorpion players that are all abusing the same stuff. With this mini guide, you won’t have to just sit there and take a beating from this demon ninja. Instead, give him hell with these tips!
(one of many hate messages I received from a salty Deathstroke player in Injustice: Gods Among Us)
I hate the word ‘cheap’. In the world of fighting games, ‘cheap’ is most overused and misused word in the vernacular. It is a word that does more damage to the fighting game community than most people think. When someone takes a loss, many are quick to dismiss their own mistakes and learning opportunities by using the word as a flimsy crutch. With that mentality, most players will never get anywhere in a fighting game.
Losing to something ‘cheap’ isn’t the problem. Odds are, what you lost to wasn’t cheap at all. Heck, if you were willing to put in the time and effort to actually improve your abilities, you probably could have a viable counter ready for any tactic that is perceived as cheap. In this edition of the Universal Fighting Game Guide, we’ll talk about the word cheap, what it means and why you should stop using it immediately for the sake of your growth as a fighting game player.
In Third Person 