Downloadable Update
Street fighter 6 Terry Bogard
In today’s digital media world, things we buy can be altered or changed with a simple update or new features introduced. With that in mind, people may also wonder if some of these things will be worth upgrading. It is with this in mind if it warrants it, we will at the desk begin issuing “Downloadable updates” This will focus on DLC we buy and our thoughts on it.
Now, every game is different, some will release items that were planned from the start, and others will issue them in paid packages. This will not focus on features for the game in question unless it is marketed exclusively as part of this. If you read the Street Fighter 6 year one update. I discussed if it was worth updating, and it looks like we may be doing a year two next June, but with this, we are going to focus on the new character. So once again this is more of an “is this worth your time and money” than anything. Naturally, we should also point out that this is just my opinion, you the reader are going to make the final choice, all I am doing is just trying to help you make an informed decision.
With all of that out of the way, welcome to the first edition of “Downloadable Update”
In this update we’re gonna look at Terry Bogard, this is kind of a big deal for many reasons:
1) He is the first guest character in a street fighter game
2) In an odd way it comes full circle with Street Fighter as a series, as the original director Takashi Nishiyama would eventually leave Capcom and go work for their rival SNK and create the Fatal Fury games. Also if you have seen the original intro, there was a blonde Caucasian man who was intended to be the player character. This was replaced with Ryu and Ken, the concept may have served as the basis for the character we’re talking about today.
3) It’s a sign of a relationship with said rival and respect given to the developer and franchise(s)
So yeah, this is kind of a big deal for a lot of us fighting game nerds, but how does he play and interact in the world as a whole?
The Stats:
Paid: Terry is part of the season pass bundles, I got the basic however if you want to ala cart him. He will cost you 350 fight coins, the in-game currency.
Played: Went through arcade mode with him in his story, played with him in some other modes have as time of writing not gone online with him yet.
TL:DR: Terry blends in very well and it is amazing how much of his arsenal is packed into the character.
Terry shows why SNK is loved.
Terry Bogard by many can be considered the Ryu of SNK, yeah he is more in line with Ken realistically but it’s one of those when you think of SNK you are probably thinking of him first, maybe Kyo Kusanagi second if you played later games. I will say the look and visual of Terry is a bit of an acquired taste. This may be due to the shock of he’s in an actual Capcom game and their graphic style. It may be a little bit of a Capcom POV on him as well. It doesn’t stand out too much but when you first see him in his ripped jacket, baseball cap, and everything it looks like some part of the late 80’s early 90’s before grunge look walked in and just said “Nah I’m not advancing with fashion” kind of feeling.
From there it is all personality in action and movement, this now comes down to preference cause while Street Fighter has a lot of eccentric characters, I always thought SNK carried more personality and quirks than the Capcom roster usually does. He also can be given his alternative costume which is based on his Garou: Mark of the Wolves (or as the sequel will say Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves). Which is Terry a little older getting a full-sleeved bomber jacket to wear into combat and cutting his long hair down to shoulder length. Again, plenty of personality even in the alternative costume.
Finally, while having to be purchased separately, he has a stage “Pao Pao Cafe 6” which is chock full of references (who knew Blue Mary could sing?) To Fatal Fury and more. It is a very dynamic little stage that can be seen if you bought the stage or not. Though I will admit I would recommend the stage just on the Easter egg hunting alone.
Gameplay
Terry has always been an in-your-face kind of fighter, he can play the range game well as long as the other person stays grounded. However, closing the gap with him is very easy thanks to the probably trademarked Burning Knuckle. As an up-close brawler, Terry has plenty of moves to mix with, the light command for the burning knuckle gives you a great one-two combo dubbed quick fang that ends in an overhead shot if they are ducking. Terry can also counter anti-air well with his rising tackle (for those of you old school, it is not a charge it is the new input from KOF XV which makes it easier to disguise and use.) Along with the standard crack shot which on the highest attack can clear projectiles allowing you to get an opening.
They also managed to sneak in his power dunk as a combo move which is more of a combo instead of an anti-air now. The power charge move if put into overdrive has the bounce of Ryu’s sidekick of doom which allows you to perform another move when timed right. His supers include the power geyser, which can be chained to 3 times. One using your drive gauge, the other another meter of super. The Buster Wolf also returns and can be a great ender, his max/critical art is the rising fang which does damage but starts as an anti-air move so practice accordingly.
All these moves provide a lot of versatility to Terry, he can hold the line on range combat and anti-air allows him to keep the pace on his side. Up close attacks are effective and can do a good amount of damage. Closing the gap is not much of a problem and being able to adapt quickly to a situation is one of the best strengths. This is not like Cammy where you hit the throttle on speed or Akuma where you need to beat the living hell out of someone before your life expires. He can hang in the easy-to-pick-up leads of Ken and Ryu quite well which does not surprise me at all.
Final Thoughts:
I would say if you were curious yes Terry is a very good addition to your fighters in Street Fighter 6, in fact when eventual full packages come out. I can see him being a great intro character for people or an easy old reliable for vets who just need a character they can remember quickly. He is good at controlling the pace of a fight and getting up in your face as well. In the right hands, I see this guy being a very, very hard but not impossible opponent to beat. The historical value of him and the eventual Mai arrival also adds to the value of my book. So far for season 2, SF6 is now 2 for 2 on worth the money on the season pass side of things.
-The Chaos Director
