From: maestas@cs.arizona.edu (Mark Maestas)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade
Subject: SFIICE and MK essay :)
Keywords: hmm..?
Date: 10 Sep 92 07:20:49 GMT


     I have seen many postings about MK/SFIICE being easier to master or 
harder/easier to play.  Since there is so much diversity, I suppose it all
depends on your own preference.  It's kind of like a person playing a particular
character, in one way because the person likes that character, but also because
the character is best suited to your "style" of fighting ( that is, you can
kick but the most with that character).  The really good people have developed
the fighting style of "whoever I feel like playing at the moment".  But all
of this talk like like "oh MK is better because of the block button" is rather
idiotic.  Developing the reaction to press a button to block is the same as 
developing the reaction to press back to block.  It doesn't make the game 
better, it makes YOU better at the game.  It is your ability to adapt to certain
conditions (game interface).
     IMNSHO, people may find MK easier to learn because it seems like all the
MK fighters went to the same "School of Basic Moves".  I still like the wide
diversity of fighting styles represented in SFIICE.  So, SFIICE may be harder
to learn because a low 'punch' with one character is NOT the same for every 
other character.  Also, it's probably hard to learn SFIICE because you've
either got veteran 'aces' (with over a hundred kills) or the hi-level computer
to deal with.  So unless you have someone willing to tutor you are destined
to be ground to a pulp and lose much money (I have taught many people how to 
become better at SFII(CE) and learn from those who know something that I don't).
     Also, the statement arises in the form of "I don't know why you lame-o's
play (insert game here).  I get killed by the computer all the time, but I can
play forever on (game)".  Well, one point is that SFII AND MK would not be
as popular if you could not play against a HUMAN opponent.  That's why games
die away, you learn the pattern, solve the game and move on.  I think it sucks
playing the computer, it's too easy (or difficult depending on the situation).
The only real challenge I get is from a human opponent (aces, that is) because
they aren't always predictable.  I even get adrenalin rushes playing against 
REALLY good opponents because I pit my skill and knowledge against his (not 
very many women at SFIICE, and if there are, they play Chun Li or Vega but I
digress).  Also, I still play SFIICE, mostly for the competitive enjoyment,
but also for the tournaments which pit the best of (Phoenix and Tucson) against
each other for cash prizes (I've won a tidy sum in my career).  Digression
Part II:  I was in the Capcom sponsored SFII Tournament in California last
January - most heinous aces from around the USA & some from Japan.  Needless to
say, I got my but kicked in the middle of the semi-finals, but I learned a
hell of a lot from those pros.  Moral: Pay close attention to how you get the
snot beat out of you, you can use it to beat the snot out of someone else!
     Is it me or does MK have a low AI with all of this talk of 'high punch,
low punch till the end of the round' stuff?  I'm not too fond of MK now, but
maybe if they made A LOT of improvements in a MK2, like Capcom made a major
improvement from SFII to SFIICE, maybe I'll play MK more.  But then again, 
Capcom IS working on SFIII (HHRRR!!!) but who knows what lies in the future.
Imagine SF Virtual Reality (ouch!) with pressure suits (double ouch!).

                                Mark "Terminator" Maestas 
                                maestas@cs.arizona.edu
 "Hasta la vista, baby." - [8^!