SoWL

Since that's how every single game works, does that really matter?

But it is, as long as you're not playing against the few top tier characters. I agree, but I also think that there are a few characters from parts 5 and 7 missing. Maybe even 8? Anyways, it's just enough for a new game, not to mention that the new system makes even the old characters feel different.

For me and some other local JoJo fans. Since the netplay in ASB wasn't the greatest, I took part in some locals and enjoyed them. J-Stars was better since it was a much more lenient game, so maybe I'm just being too cautious about something that's not worth it.

We got another newcomer: http://www.shonengamez.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Jojo-Scan.jpg Though the fact that the game is said to have no offline multiplayer puts a wet blanket on any hype for it.

...But that outfit IS more conservative.

Because she has to set it up first, losing her normals in the process?

Well, at the very least, she's the first one to be properly introduced, so there's probably a reason for that? Putting my thoughts together about the playstyles of the characters we haven't seen yet: EDIT: The website is updated with the old loketest info and links to various articles: http://www.examu.co.jp/nitroplus_blasterz/index.html

We also had two cross-dressers before (Bridget and Testament), but that didn't stop anyone.

Yeah, that's one of the novels I meant, along with D.Y.N. Freaks (though that one at least has a manga scanlation). Guess they wouldn't have any characters from it if it really was that obscure. I'm still hoping for a playable Ginseigou, since that seems to be the perfect candidate for the final "boss" reveal. Otherwise, I'm just not sure why they would reveal everything but a single playable character at this point. Maybe a Tokyo Necro heroine (especially since we finally got a name for one: Kibanohara Ethica)?

I'd go as far as to say that using a door is worth it even if it gets you punished, as it gets you out of the sword setup. However, good Ramlethals just don't give you the chance to use it, combining sword pressure with Ram's strings, so you should be more concerned about not letting her get in, maybe even going for some early pressure, yourself. Also, drill-canceling is extremely important in this match-up, as you can move around both swords more freely and still block them despite our long air-dash animation. And hey, maybe you can even stuff a scalpel into Ram's face as she tries to approach you in the process.

I know, I was trying to make a joke

That sounds kinda maybe plausible, but I'd still like to see the source. Also, if that is true, I find it strangely fitting that she is the first one to have children. What, did she marry Sol?

The announcement on the Nitroplus website: http://www.nitroplus.co.jp/news/2015/01/150115_4326.php Playable characters: - Ignis (Jingai Makyou) - Anna (Gekkou no Carnevale) Assists: - Mukou Aoi (Kimi to Kanojo to Kanojo no Koi) - Mitsurugi Yoishi (Phenomeno) - Althea (Hakubou no Dendoushi) - Yoguruma Mugen (D.Y.N. Freaks) - Angela Balzac (Rakuen Tsuihou: Expelled from Paradise) The interesting things to note here is that we got two Assists from the same title (ToToNo; makes sense, since its main point is having the two heroines on equal footing), that we got the rather obscure novel characters (makes sense, since we already have Saber), and an anime-original character (which means that Madoka and the rest are perfectly valid options). We now also have nine playable characters out of ten and all sixteen Assists. I wonder who did they leave for the last surprise reveal? EDIT: The hi-res screenshots are up on Gematsu, though there isn't a lot of them. http://gematsu.com/gallery/nitroplus-blasters-heroines-infinite-duel/january-15-2015/

Yeah, sure, it's probably nothing that deep, but at least I don't find it too offensive because I can make sense of it. And I'm not sure how much control she has in her neutral stance, but when most of her story mode fights are started by Necro (and her GGX intro has her in that monstrous silhouette form), I think she'd never want to fight if it was up to her to decide. That is, until she has something to fight for, like her family right now.

Also, this might be the first time I've seen someone miss Judge Gauntlet. There are many more crucial tools that were taken away from him.

I considered it a part of the whole "I'm doing this against my will" deal. Which would make her change of clothes even better, as it would also reflect her character development.

I want to believe that people just find their personalities and fighting styles similar. I mean, I almost never see Bullet-Litchi artwork.

Wasn't it OH SNAP before?

Not really? It's a mechanic that allows the player to literally come back into the game even when they're behind. A good comeback mechanic does not make you want to activate it, it just keeps you on equal footing with your opponent even after you made a mistake or two. That said, Guts doesn't fit that definition, either, I suppose.

So it's about its impact on the game rather than the options? That one's pretty hard to measure, since I rarely think about it in the actual fight, but it does feel different after playing the games where it's not present, and not just because the health bars are shorter than they actually are.

It gives you an advantage when you're close to losing, even if it's just a stat buff. Comeback mechanics don't have to give you more options.

At least that last part of your title is true.

Sure, you need to make less correct reads in Hellfire, but the same goes for your opponent, since you're this close to death. If you don't want to have the match be decided by its first ten seconds, comeback mechanics like this are necessary for a good, interesting game.

Contrary to the popular opinion, comeback mechanics are not inherently bad. They can, however, be badly implemented, just like any other mechanic. I honestly don't believe it to be the case with Hellfire: you still have to build up tension for that buffed OD, you have to have an OD with some invincibility (which is not that easy in GG), and you have to actually land it. If anything, I think Hellfire's a bit too weak to serve its intended purpose, and Guts is still the primary comeback mechanic in GG. Now, compare that to Awakenings in Persona, where you get a defense buff AND free meter AND a new super when your health is in the red. The weird thing is, I don't see anyone complaining about it.

A question I've seen raised quite often: how random are Faust's items? Do they depend on the timer or something else?