The Thought Process of a Street Fighter

The moment we get a break at work, at least three different fighting games can be heard booting up across the room. While Tekken 5 and Dead or Alive 4 are newer, flashier and shinier, most of us prefer old-skool 2D games, with at least two versions of Street Fighter going at the same time. While I and a few others usually play Capcom Vs SNK 2, the guys in the other room prefer Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. Somewhere down the line we found ourselves being challenged to a 3v3 on CVS. We won. Then we returned the favour on 3S. They won. Now we have semi-regular bouts on each others game of choice, and each week we all get a little better at the other game.

I haven't been playing 3rd Stike very long, but know about enough to get by. My opponent has been playing it for a while, and actually knows what he's doing. We're now into the third round of a 'friendly'; I'm using Remy, "a slightly crappier version of Guile with longer legs," with whom I have precious little experience; I'm squared off against my opponent's favourite character, Akuma. Remy is a bit low on health, and a couple of hits will finish him off. On the other hand, Akuma is still pretty healthy, but a good super to the face should even things out.

Of course, it's at this moment Akuma decides to launch a fireball, and immediately follow it with a super version. Taking into account size, velocity and remaining health, I realise my options are few; try to jump over it, block and hope for the best, or attempt to parry the whole thing.

To parry effectively, a player must have good reflexes, anticipation, timing, an understanding of the game mechanics, characters and moves, and balls of steel. If you've seen the infamous Daigo video, that's how it's done. Needless to say, I possess none of these qualities. I decide to have a go anyway.

0.00 seconds: Akuma launches a fireball, immediately followed by his super fireball. Remy stands and watches.
0:50 seconds: "Shit shit, whaddo I do? No way I can avoid it now. Parry? No way I'll be able to do that. It'll chip me even if I block it... Aw hell, it's getting closer... "
0:90 seconds: "Sod it."
1.00 seconds: Parry.
1:10 seconds: "Sweet Jesus Effin H C! It worked! Quickly you fool, do it again!"
1.50 seconds: Parry.
1.60 seconds: "I did it again! I'm getting the hang of this!"
2.00 seconds: Parry. Parry.
2.60 seconds: "Yeah! I rock!"
3.00 seconds: Smack.
3.10 seconds: "Ah. Shit."
3.50 seconds: Smack smack smack, KO!
3:60 seconds: "Bugger."

Panic kicked in, and halfway through I mis-timed the parry. It was damned impressive while it lasted, but it seems I suddenly remembered I am not Daigo after all, and what the hell was I thinking? So yeah, it didn't quite work. But it almost did.

I almost got away with it. Maybe next time :)