Fighting games emphasize players’ individuality. Everything starts and stops with you and the character you take into the ring.
The world of competitive esports has never been bigger, and it’s still growing to new peaks every day. However, one of the best game genres is still fighting for its spot in the limelight.
I’ve been around the competitive gaming gauntlet for a long time. Starting with card games as a kid, I attended my weekly local events for years. Then, as I got older, I transitioned into online gaming. I dumped hundreds of hours into competitive staples like “League of Legends” and “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.” I became so incredibly entrenched in the competition that I wanted to become the best.
Everything changed for me in 2016 when “Street Fighter V” was released, and I dropped all the competitive games I once loved for it. With the recent release of “The King of Fighters XV,” and the announcement of “Street Fighter 6,” I’m once again reminded that no other game genre has quenched that competitive thirst for me like fighting games have. Fighting games are undoubtedly the best competitive esports genre.
Something I quickly learned is that I don’t like team games. Don’t get me wrong: team games have an irresistible charm, especially when your team actually cooperates. Unfortunately, the saying “a chain is as strong as its weakest link” is all too true in team games. If one person drags your team down, becomes toxic or leaves the match entirely, you lose no matter how well you play.
Now, I’m not saying I’m the best player in the world or that I don’t make mistakes. However, I prefer knowing the reason I either won or lost was 100% because of my actions, and fighting games provide that sense of autonomy for me.
Fighting games emphasize players’ individuality. Everything starts and stops with you and the character you take into the ring.
No player demonstrates this individuality better than Daigo “The Beast” Umehara, who started playing fighting games at age 10 with the release of “Street Fighter II” in 1991. Known for his precise but aggressive playstyle, Umehara earned the Guinness World Record for the “most successful player in major tournaments for Street Fighter” and garnered a near $10 million net worth.
Umehara achieved all of these accolades with mainly one character, Ryu, who similarly balances precision and aggression. Ryu upholds the art of fighting with nobility and honor but he can succumb to the Satsui No Hado, otherwise known as the surge of murderous intent. This player and character are so closely related that some of Umehara’s fans just call him Ryu.
Umehara is only one of many legendary players in the fighting game community, each with their own stories. When two of those players come face-to-face, both players put their reputations on the line.
If you face someone with the same rank and playtime as you, who is the better player? Accepting when someone is better than you can be a hard pill to swallow.
The fighting game genre isn’t just about fighting your opponent, though; it’s also about fighting yourself.
At this point, I have to address the elephant in the room – fighting games are incredibly hard to get into. Fighting games’ perceived difficulty is the number one reason why they haven’t reached mainstream esports appeal, especially compared to other esports titles. Playing fighting games can be unwantedly humbling, frustrating and even masochistic when all you do is lose for hours upon hours.
Unfortunately, but understandably, most people would rather move as far away from that feeling of loss as they can possibly get. However, even when you’re constantly getting beat up by skilled players, you can always get back up and improve. If you keep going and finally win, it’s pure bliss.
This doesn’t just apply to new players. I’m relatively competent at fighting games, but even after spending six years with the genre, I still get absolutely demolished.
My win rate in “The King of Fighters XV” stands at about 30% with over 100 games played. With all of those losses come experiences and lessons learned. Someday, after several more losses and a handful of wins, my win rate will hopefully rise to 31% – because hey, at least that means that I’m improving.
With so many great options, now is the best time to get into fighting games. My current favorites are “Tekken 7” and “The King of Fighters XV,” but you can choose whichever game looks coolest to you.
Are you into anime? Arc System Works’ “Dragon Ball FighterZ” or “Guilty Gear Strive” are the kings of the aesthetic. Do you want to play as 80s action film protagonists like Rambo or Terminator? Pick up NetherRealm Studios’ “Mortal Kombat 11.”
Whichever option you pick, don’t give up and keep fighting. I promise it’s worth all the time and practice.
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