Tokyo, Japan – Professional Street Fighter player Rohto|Tokido recently shared his initial impressions of playing as Akuma at the early preview event for Street Fighter 6 in Japan. In a video released by Tokido, he delves into his thoughts on the character’s gameplay and abilities after getting hands-on experience with the game.
During his gameplay session, Tokido noted that Akuma showcased impressive speed, surpassing Chun-Li in walk speed and potentially placing him among the top-tier characters in terms of movement. Additionally, he discovered that Akuma’s total vitality would likely be around 9,000, confirming previous speculations.
Despite the positive aspects of Akuma’s performance, Tokido expressed some uncertainty about how to fully utilize the character’s new moves and abilities in combination with his existing playstyle. He highlighted the strength of Akuma’s crouch medium kick, likening it to Ken’s in terms of reach and startup frames.
In his analysis, Tokido pointed out the similarities between Akuma’s heavy punch and Ken’s moves, emphasizing the potential for powerful combos and target combos for corner carry. He also discussed the characteristics of Akuma’s Gohadouken variations, noting differences in startup time and recovery speed.
Regarding his special moves, Tokido predicted that Akuma’s Shakunetsu Messhou had the potential for significant damage and follow-up attacks, comparable to Ryu’s donkey kick. Despite some limitations in reach with certain Super Arts, Tokido acknowledged the high damage output of Akuma’s moves, particularly the Raging Demon.
Overall, Tokido left the gameplay session with the impression that Akuma in Street Fighter 6 might be a technical character focused on speed rather than raw power. While acknowledging the demo setup’s limitations, he hinted at the dynamic gameplay possibilities that Akuma could offer in the upcoming release.
Beyond his gameplay insights, Tokido also engaged in a discussion with fellow player Justin Wong about the evolving landscape of fighting games, adding another layer of analysis to his overall impressions of Street Fighter 6. As players eagerly anticipate the game’s release, Tokido’s perspectives provide valuable insights into the potential strengths and intricacies of playing as Akuma in the highly anticipated title.