I think I found my main for Street Fighter IV...

It turns out that M. Bison (Vega in JP) is my new main character to use for my current favorite game, Street Fighter IV. I have been watching videos of him in action like this match above and got around to play a similar style like whoever is playing him in that clip. I actually cleaned house with that style yesterday at Super Arcade winning most of my matches during that session. I just love his rushdown that leads to his faster and meaner Scissor Kicks (I'm still learning to time those Scissor Kicks during those rushdown combos, but I'm getting there). His Psycho Crusher is not that bad in this one and not has overpowered it used to be in SFII Championship Edition. I think he is one of the higher tier characters in SF IV due to what toys u can mess with from timed teleports, Head Stomps and Devil Reverses. It also feels satisfying to do his Focus Attack and then finishing it with his Ultra, as I got that timing down for that one.

I usually use the charge characters in this game (Blanka, Honda, Guile mostly till Bison) and I have decent success with them, but I think I will have better success with Bison if I play that rushdown style like in the clip above. I can still use other characters like the shotos (Ryu, Ken, and Akuma) and Sagat, but I don't do well as those guys (Sagat is the best character in SF IV now). I'm willing to learn the new characters like Abel and Rufus, but I haven't done so yet and trying to learn them as opponents is a little frustrating trying to figure what style they will play as. I'm also willing to use the console exclusive characters like Cammy, Fei Long, Rose, and Gen (sorry Sakura and Dan) when that comes out on February 17.

I just need to master the cancelling system (EX special cancels, focus dash cancels, and throw escapes) and I will be way better than I am now. I just love this game too much and I feel like playing it now again.

BlazBlue is out for Arcades...

Aksys Games, the folks that made the Guilty Gear games, has finally released BlazBlue to various arcades at Japan and the U.S. BlazBlue is basically a HD Guilty Gear with new characters and new storylines, but still plays it at its core with crazy air combos, supers, distortion finishes, and other technical stuff. The nearest arcade at SoCal that should have the game by now or in the coming days is Family Fun Arcade over at the San Fernando Valley for now (who knows if Arcade Infinity over at Diamond Plaza or Super Arcade at Walnut will get it either). Actually, I'm not that good at the Guilty Gear games (I use Ky as my main), but I'm willing to learn BlazBlue if I feel like it since the protagonist, Ragna (I think that's his name), is pretty awesome especially his Gambit Royal-Flush like super.

On the Fence: Lips

Lips, Microsoft's new karaoke game and potential SingStar killer, is already out for 70 bucks with two glittery microphones. It has been getting mixed reactions from just being other singing game to arguably one of the better ones around. At least it is the 360's best karaoke game with lame competition with such games like Disney Sing It! and the Karaoke Revolution American Idol series. The video quality of the music videos is pretty good and the soundtrack is not bad as I'm posting some favorites from the bunch that would be in heavy rotation if I bought this thing. Featured in this post are "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis and "Superstar" by Lupe Fiasco, but there are other songs that makes Lips worth it like "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai, "Umbrella" by Rihanna, "With You" by Chris Brown, and more. Downloadable content is already out for Lips as well with "The Remedy" by Jason Mraz and "Violet Hill" by Coldplay ("All Star" by Smash Mouth and "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton is also announced). The other big feature Lips has is the ability to sing any song via portable devices like the Zune and iPod, but supposedly this feature wasn't executed as well as it could have with no music video support and lyrics (either know the song or try to BSit).



Microsoft's casual approach this fall had a rocky start with Scene It! Box Office Smash and You're in the Movies, but Lips is the best one of the bunch which gives them potential to do better if Lips becomes a "platform" like Rock Band (those mics need to be compatible with RB2 and GH World Tour anyway sooner or later). I guess if you're tired of singing rock songs in those mentioned games, Lips is worth the purchase for the diverse selection of songs across all genres.

Wanted on GameTrailers TV

The Wanted game is the cover feature in this week's GameTrailers TV revealing more of it since its initial announcement. The subtitle is called Weapons of Fate and it hopes to execute the experience of curved bullets well during Winter 09.

The other major game shown is F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, which is coming out on February 10 (another big month for FPSs with that and Killzone 2) and looking great so far. February is already turning to a stacked month with my favorite Street Fighter IV, the two FPSs, and the GTA IV DLC.

Other trailers that debuted in this episode are for Batman: Arkham Asylum (below) and The Punisher: No Mercy.