Gameplay

*Akatsuki EN-Eins* is heavily based on “old-school" playstyle akin to early 90s era 2D fighting games, relying on space control, delays and careful footwork instead of flashy combos and intense aerial combat. The same for the characters' sprites were drawn in 16-bit, as evident on one of the characters' color palettes being mismatched than their official artworks counterparts.

## Normal Buttons

There are three magic series of normal buttons. However, some characters cannot chain combo properly, like Fritz and Blitztank:

* A: Light. No longer rapid fire on whiff infinitely in *EN-Eins Perfektewelt*.
* B: Medium. Some command normal moves using this button cannot be chained to specials/EXs/super/Perfektewelt.
* C: Hard. Almost every attacks using this buttons (both neutral, crouching and command) are chainable on specific characters. 5C cannot chain to command moves of the same button, nor specials/EXs/super/Perfektewelt. Some command normal moves using this button cannot be chained to specials/EXs/super/Perfektewelt. Main Dash Attack normal button. Originally, prior to *EN-Eins Perfektewelt*, it cannot be chained from weaker normals.

### Auto Combos

Only appears in *EN-Eins Perfektewelt* and its *Anastasis* update. There are three or two specific auto combos, almost every characters have can chain auto combo from lower to another. Fritz and Blitztank’s case still doesn’t have a magic series of the chain combo:

* 5A/2A > 5A/2A/5B/2B > 5A/2A/5B/2B > 5A/5B. Fritz and Blitztank's case is 3 times, the rest are 4. L button remains whiffable at mostly 3 times. Last hit cannot be rapid fire on whiff. Pre-Final Hit strings can be chained to command moves.
* 5B/2B > 5B/2B > 5B/2B. Commonly 3 times. Some such as Fritz and Blitztank only has 2 times. Pre-Final Hit strings can be chained to command moves.
* 5C > 5C. Almost every characters can chain weaker auto combo strings into this auto combo. Some characters like Fritz doesn’t have this auto combo.

### Reflector (攻性防禦, Hōsebōgyo)

The main Parry staple of the series, by pressing B and C button simultaneously while standing, crouching or in the air. When opponent attacks, the player will have not only avoid chip damage, and saving guard gauge:

* Able the cancel to other moves or another parry when opponent uses the attacks that aren’t close to the player, or while straight through above the player (as seen when against Valkyria).
* Auto counter when against opponent’s attack at close range. Can still cancel to other moves.

As of *EN-Eins Perfektewelt*, Reflector can also be done simply with D button, same goes for EX and Super Moves.

### Taunt

Press A+C to taunt.

In *Ausf. Achse* arcade port, it can only be used via start button outside training mode.

## Special Gauge

There are two special gauges (特別ゲージ, *tokubetsu gēji*), :

* The level gauge maxes 3 bars. Affected by Perfektewelt’s effect in *EN-Eins Perfektewelt*.
* The guard gauge bar places alongside lifebar. When opponent’s guard breaks as the bar is empty, player has an advantage to attack their opponent. Beginner friendly use before fully understanding Reflector.

### Special/EX Attack

Each characters have their own special moves (known in Japan as "Deathblow" (必殺技, *hissawwaza* )) using command inputs and a normal button simultaneously.

The EX version (known simply in Japan as "Special Attack" (特別攻撃, *Tokubetsu Kōgeki*)) can be done using command inputs and traditional Reflector buttons (B+C) simultaneously. Cost 1 level bar.

### Final Special Attack (Super Move) (最後特別攻撃, *Saigo Tokubetsu Kōgeki*)

Commonly used at 3 level bars by pressing all Normal buttons, or A+D (in *EN-Eins Perfektewelt* only) simultaneously.

### Perfektewelt (完全世界, *Kanzen Sekai*)

Only appears in *EN-Eins Perfektewelt* and its *Anastasis* update. A power-up state by pressing A+B+D, depending on how many level gauge you have:

* Increase boosts and health regeneration for limited period. Red line also indicates how much long it can heal the characters without getting hit or receiving chip damage while guarding.
* If activate at lower level, the limiter becomes fast. If activate at higher/max level, the limiter becomes slow.
* Press the same simultaneous button again for Instant Kill-like move known as Perfekte Finish (完全神殺, *Kanzen Shinsatsu*).
* When either times up or Perfekte Finish move being used, EX and super, even another Perfektewelt cannot be used anymore until the next round(s).

## Air Dash-Style Double Jump

Only appears in *EN-Eins Perfektewelt* and its *Anastasis* update.