From: rhett@max.u.washington.edu
Subject: MK vs SFIICE, Ryu vs Ken
Organization: 
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 17:34:19 GMT



         MK looks neat, and sounds neat, and the special moves look 
         different from SFIICE moves. But, the variety of matchups 
         just isn't there. The combos (with few exceptions) aren't as 
         difficult or as involved, and therefor are not as enjoyable 
         to me. The only elements I would take from MK for use in a 
         new SFII would be the following:

         The sounds. Very percussive, powerful...well done

         Ability to do certain moves in the air, a la Liu Kang...You 
         can jump towards an opponent (not ON them) and do the flying 
         kick from a step or to away, BEFORE you hit the ground...very
         surprising...

         Ability to hit opponent's body when they are in the air after
         receiving another blow.

         Overall, I think MK lacks the complexity of SFIICE. After you
         master the special moves (which are mostly very simple to 
         complete...and don't require the practice that DPunch 
         does/did) there just isn't much to MK. SFIICE, on the other 
         hand, requires you to learn more once you've mastered the 
         special moves...incorporating them in creative and 
         devastating combos. (Sure you know fireball, but do you know 
         FIERCE, FORWARD, fireball???....)

         RYU vs KEN --------------------------------------------------

         I would have to say that these two guys are very VERY 
         different. A lot of people who haven't taken the time to 
         become very good at both may disagree, but the differences in
         speed/DPunch range/Hurricane kick really changes the 
         strategies from the original SFII.

         Ryu may have a limited advantage over Guile due to his 
         superior Fireball speed, but Ken can huck mucho fireballs and
         clobber Guile with the FIERCE Dpunch from far away. Sure, Ryu
         can knock Guile down with the Hurricane...but Ken's Hurricane
         can be useful as well, particularly because of his faster 
         DPunch -- He can do a short Hurricane over the Sonic Boom, 
         and land in front of Guile doing the DPunch...

         Ryu's lack of speed when it comes to jab DPunch can be a 
         problem as well...if he pulls of a DPunch close to an 
         opponent, there is more time for the opponent to rush in 
         quickly and throw him. This takes extremely good timing to 
         accomplish on Ken because he can do another DPunch very 
         quickly. (If I do a jab DPunch, and you get touched by it 
         even if you're defending, you are NOT going to get a move in 
         before I can DPunch again with Ken)

         Against Blanka, Ryu's fast fireball really gives him an 
         advantage over Ken. His jumping Roundhouse takes up the slack
         where his FIERCE DPunch can't reach.  Now, Ken's flying 
         ROUNDHOUSE Triple DPunch can end the match against Blanka, 
         and the Flying FIERCE (which will even stop Blanka's Furball)
         ,FORWARD,Fireball can set up Blanka for the stun. Still, I 
         think that a master Ryu has an easier time with a master 
         Blanka than a master Ken would.

         Final argument:

         Ryu seems to be successful when he plays not to lose. He is 
         usually not the aggressor, but hangs back, lofting irritating
         fireballs and waiting for his opponent to charge. At this 
         point he may DPunch or jump and ROUNDHOUSE, or even Hurricane
         kick the opponent outa the air. (Some sissy guys just block 
         because they're afraid they'll get comboed-on if they blow 
         the DPunch)  Ryu's corner press is one of the most hideous 
         positions in which one will find him/herself. Extraodinary 
         measures are usually required to escape it...special moves, 
         sacrifice moves, risks...but, it can be done.
           
         Ken is the madman, and is most succesful when his speed is 
         utilized to the extreme...shell shock your opponent...combo 
         him on any oppening...combo him even if he blocks as it keeps
         the control in Ken's hands. A match against a master Ken 
         should result in Ken's opponent backed into his own corner, 
         wondering how many moves are gonna be chucked at him in the 
         next second or two...Ken feighns a fireball, feigns maybe 
         three straight times...the opponent bites...uppercut...Ken is
         all over him again in the corner. If the opponent tries a 
         desperate move, Ken combos him with DPunches and turns out 
         his lights.

         So where do I stand? I maintain that Ken and Ryu are 
         different enough, that the true measure of their ability is 
         only decided by the player using them...They are potentially 
         equal, but the player who best utilizes their different 
         strategies will win. Maybe you could say that about other 
         characters, but I think it is especially true with these two 
         because of how balanced they are. 
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