HOW TO...
BECOME A
COMBO KING
Fighting games are home to some of the
most intense and electric competitive
multiplayer moments you’ll ever
experience – but the genre’s scary
reputation puts far too many people off.
If you’re tempted by the thrill of deadly
one-on-one combat, but fear you’ll never
be able to pull off a winning combo, this guide is for you.
Make no mistake – fighting games do demand
precision and practice to succeed. But they’re not quite
as complicated and inaccessible as they might appear,
especially once you understand the core concepts commonacross the genre, and with a little patience you’ll be amazed
at how quickly you can get caught-up.
And those commonalities mean that, once you’ve
built your foundation in one game, those skills are easily
transferable to others. Before you know it, you’ll be a genre
devotee, kicking butt in every title going.
So read on and let our step-by-step guide smooth out
your learning curve. While we don’t have the room here to
get into the nitty gritty of frame data, special move cancels,
and other jargon-laden subjects, these tips will point your
research in the right direction, and set you on the path to
fighting game greatness.01
CHOOSE YOUR GAME
There are loads of fighting games out there – if you’re just
starting out the best thing to do is pick just one and focus
on it. This year’s Mortal Kombat 11 is a great choice that’s
especially accessible for beginners, while Xbox-exclusive
Killer Instinct has the benefit of being free to download.
Street Fighter IV is a modern classic, but also very precise
and difficult – be ready for a challenge if that’s your pick.02
CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER
Finding your feet is a lot easier if you commit to learning one
character fully, though it may take a bit of experimentation
before you find your ‘main’. Much as it may feel dull, it’s often
a good idea to pick one of the game’s ‘mascots’, such as
Ryu in Street Fighter or Scorpion in Mortal Kombat, as they’re
usually simpler and more well rounded – perfect for getting a
foundation in the game’s ideas and mechanics.Fighting games can be intimidating, but our step-by-step guide
will make you a winner in no time ROBIN VALENTINE
YOU WILL NEED AN XBOX/A FIGHTING GAME OF YOUR CHOICE OPTIONAL A SWEATBAND/THE HEART OF A CHAMPIONMost brawlers
are one-on-one,
but in some you
build a team of
three you can
swap between.104 THE OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINEextra