I would say he's not a beast compared to AC, but still a very solid character. Exe Beast not longer coming out whenever input is done makes it a lot easier and safer for his opponent to get close and combo the shit out of him. Exe Beast is no longer a possible defensive-tool but for oki it's really good if not sick. And that you don't need meter for front- and back-Exe-Beast-pressure is nice to see. From what I've seen so far meter can be used more for FB's, FRC's are more used, e.g., to make 2HS safer on block or combo of it, not in combos anymore. That's why imo FRC's are not that often used, especially not to perform high-dmg-combos, what makes them seem a bit easier. But that's a guess, maybe the combos in AC+R are as difficult like in AC. He still looks like a character that can be played really freestyled and I'm really looking forward to AC+R and pmode-grinding.