Real Bout 2 kicks my ass

[jfrost]

I picked up Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 2 a few days ago and have been playing Real Bout 2 since. And I'm having my ass handed to me. I don't know if the game is particularly difficult or if I'm really horrible at it. In any case, it's been hard.

Well, I've never been into the Fatal Fury series. The only one I played a lot was Real Bout Special: Dominated Mind on the PS1. I was actually pretty good at it, and had fun discovering different combos and Super Cancels ("Final Impacts").

The point is, RB2 feels very different from other 2D fighters I'm used to. The two-plane thing destroys everything I've learned from playing other games. I mean, if I release a Power Wave, the opponent is not gonna jump, and I'm not gonna stop him with my Rising Tackle. Rather, he's going to swing to the other plane. And this feels very odd. It seems that I really have to change my mindset to play this series, it's not like I can import much knowledge from other games.

I mean, I'm not bad at all in fighting games. I'm pretty good in Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, even King of Fighters. Hell, I do fine in Rival Schools, and it is 3D with -- technically -- much more planes I can swing to. However, Real Bout still feels much different. On the surface, it appears to be as simple as Street Fighter II, and the combo system is actually much simpler (most attacks are connectable), but the seemingly trivial addition of extra fighting lines destroys me.

Do you guys have any tips to help not suck so much?

[ace3093]

I find most of the fatal fury games are very difficult. I can't seem to learn the computer play style as easy as street fighter games.

[marurun]

I love Real Bout and Real Bout 2. Both are excellent game. And yes, the plane changing does mix things up. Learn the plane-crossing attack and also learn the attack that knocks the opponent into the other plane. Often you can knock them away and then leap in on them. Most plane switching attacks count as aerial attacks so if your opponent ducks you'll hit them high.

Also, learn your basic attacks. Learn what has priority.

Some would consider the fact that you have to relearn how to fight a good thing. It means you have to develop more skills. It's just like how Street Fighter skills don't transpose well to Tekken or Virtua Fighter.

[the7k]

The only one I played a lot was Real Bout Special: Dominated Mind on the PS1.

Then you haven't played a real Fatal Fury. I loved Dominated Mind too - in fact, I'd say it is one of the best PS1 2D fighters ever - it's just not a Fatal Fury. The PS1's limited RAM meant that they had to take multiple planes of fighting out just so the PS1's head wouldn't asplode.

[jfrost]

I love Real Bout and Real Bout 2. Both are excellent game. And yes, the plane changing does mix things up. Learn the plane-crossing attack and also learn the attack that knocks the opponent into the other plane. Often you can knock them away and then leap in on them. Most plane switching attacks count as aerial attacks so if your opponent ducks you'll hit them high.

Also, learn your basic attacks. Learn what has priority.

Some would consider the fact that you have to relearn how to fight a good thing. It means you have to develop more skills. It's just like how Street Fighter skills don't transpose well to Tekken or Virtua Fighter.

Thanks, marurun. Didn't know about the plane-crossing attack counting as aerial. I suppose that's only valid for the back line relative to the main one, right?

As for the point about different skills for different games, you're right that it can be a good thing. But I was more surprised that, Real Bout being a 2D game and sometimes considered to be a ripoff of Street Fighter 2, they don't play alike at all, even if for a seemingly minor change as the two plane thing.

[jfrost]

The only one I played a lot was Real Bout Special: Dominated Mind on the PS1.

Then you haven't played a real Fatal Fury. I loved Dominated Mind too - in fact, I'd say it is one of the best PS1 2D fighters ever - it's just not a Fatal Fury. The PS1's limited RAM meant that they had to take multiple planes of fighting out just so the PS1's head wouldn't asplode.

Yeah, I know. I liked it very much too, and got to know the characters I played so much with in King of Fighters. I kinda enjoyed the simplified controls too, one kick, one punch and one fierce attack. It's a simplicity that I can't see in Real Bout 1 and 2. The line-swapping button gives much more depth to the gameplay, even with so few attack buttons compared to Capcom games.

Oh, and I loved the anime cutscenes. Dominated Mind's opening was great.

[wip3outguy7]

I love this game... I really do. It's probably my favorite installment of the Fatal Fury series. But I try not to play it much simply because it screws my play style for any other fighting game. RB2 plays very different from other fighting games, including the previous Fatal Fury games. I would highly recommend watching some matches on youtube. They will help you adjust.

-fight the urge to wake up super if you get knocked down, block instead and wait for an opening

-RB2 is one of the most offensive based fighting games around, learn a character well and abuse their rush tactics

-practice the plane attack move until it is second nature, AI characters will not hesitate to milk the 2nd plane until you die

-use the plane switch/attack button to switch directions in mid air for easy cross ups

-don't be shy if someone uses a SDM, use the background plane to get around them and punish

[the7k]

If you like the simplified "Punch/Kick/Heavy" button set-up, check out Asuka 120% for Saturn, as it apparently has a similar set-up. (I'd like to get it myself, but I gotta get a working Saturn first.)

My favorite thing about Dominated Mind is White. I'm a huge Clockwork Orange fan.

[jfrost]

If you like the simplified "Punch/Kick/Heavy" button set-up, check out Asuka 120% for Saturn, as it apparently has a similar set-up. (I'd like to get it myself, but I gotta get a working Saturn first.)

My favorite thing about Dominated Mind is White. I'm a huge Clockwork Orange fan.

I always wanted to give Asuka games a try, and I probably will. I have just bought a Saturn and it should arrive here by the end of the week. Woo-hoo!

[jfrost]

-fight the urge to wake up super if you get knocked down, block instead and wait for an opening

Great advice. I learned this by myself, but it's a good reminder.