With that I'll segway into the topic of today. I'm trying to keep posts once a month for now, keep you updated, but today I want to talk about Fighter cards.
Set 1 had a long development process, and this might surprise you with the final product, but originally it was just Fighters and Hyper Fighters. Yes, despite A1 having only 1 Burst Fighter to 2 EX Fighters, the Hyper Attack was actually a late addition.
Originally called Finishers, I got really high on the idea of fighters having these big game ending moves in the last couple years of dev time. Initially they were executed in a vastly different manner to the final product, the original concept being something I'd like to revisit later, but I just enjoyed the idea of Finishers. If you're familiar with shonen battle anime or pro wrestling, it's a trope you see a lot, Kinnikuman's KinnikuBuster being a great example of both at once. It's impressive if executed correctly, can become iconic to that character and can be game winning, all of which makes it fun.
Saying that, super forms are also a tried, true and tested trope. That's why it was used, it's a quality trope that elicits similar emotions to the Finisher. It's a literal expression of power gained, it's a power fantasy in action and that is fun too. It too can become iconic in it's own right, or at least memorable. Its also baked into the lore. However, if I were to be really frank, I like Hyper Attacks more. From both a design aspect and a thematic aspect.
When I make a character designed to be a Hyper Fighter, I try to make both sides different. Carry the same themes but be different. Louise is currently this ideal best executed; the Burst Fighter interacts with Block cards, then the back side interacts with her Lightning Blast, which carries the [REVERSAL] keyword, a keyword that interacts with Blocks. It all ties together. She's not perfect, far from, but she's the closest to the ideal. I can also say that Satria is the best execution of the concept as of now though.
Hyper Attacks are a different kettle of fish. Just make something big and cool, tie it to a theme, it works. They're fun to pull off, they can have annoying effects to deal with and be game winning due to raw power. It just plays well. The flavour can be really strong too, especially if it plays into other cards like Mark's Supreme Crusher from Supreme Chokeslam. I'm actively finding myself instinctively designing Hyper Attacks or wanting Hyper Attacks over Hyper Forms when designing new characters.
Part of me does think about whether having both at the same time does a disservice to both. Neither having the chance to be showcased properly as the defining theme of the game till it runs its course. I think if I had gone with Hyper Attacks for a while, then Hyper Fighters, let them refresh the game, be cool and impressive, it might have played out better. It is what it is though, the Hyper Forms are in the lore and I can't put the genie back in the bottle, but it's definitely a retrospect thing.
I think we'll be sticking to the current setup for a while. It has a lot of life left in it and we haven't gotten to a point where characters are being reused yet. I have plans beyond the current setup, but it's going to be a while before we get there.
I'm currently working on a few Hyper Fighters, Naagpal is one and there are some characters for whom I think it is very important to be Hyper Fighters, but writing this leaves me curious. As a player, what do you gravitate towards? Hyper Attacks or Hyper Fighters? I suppose for some, it's a case by case scenario; the specific card rather than the mechanics.
Till next time friends, thanks for reading.
-Erik
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