Reimagining Ed: Unveiling the Future of Street Fighter 6

It has been a while since Ed became a playable character in Street Fighter V, and he has undergone some changes since then. He still possesses Psycho power like Bison, but has slimmed down aesthetically. However, his gameplay in Street Fighter 6 feels more robust and focused than before. This results in a fun, fluid, and powerful character that is easy to pick up, yet offers plenty of depth for those who want to explore his potential.

During Capcom Cup X, I had the opportunity to play with Ed and later had a conversation with SF6 Director Takayuki Nakayama and SF6 Producer Shuhei Matsumoto to learn more about his return and the team's inspirations and goals for him.

"For me personally, he's a very important character," Nakayama-san expressed. He is the reason why we have Modern controls and World Tour. He possesses a fascinating story. One of our main goals with SF6 is to introduce the new generation of Street Fighter characters: Luke, Jamie, Kimberly, and Ed.

Ed played a significant role in shaping SF6, but he is also a key part of its future. "Ed, who made his debut in Street Fighter V, combines elements of Boxer (Balrog) and Dictator (Bison)," Nakayama-san elaborated. He is another fresh character whose narrative will increasingly intertwine with the overall story of Street Fighter 6."

Ed has evolved in SF6 with a focus on psycho power and punches. He has transitioned from using both punches and kicks in SFV to now being a pure boxer. This change has solidified his identity as a fighter who relies solely on his fists, making him a force to be reckoned with in the game.

But Brian, you might be wondering about the three Kick buttons that every character has. I'm happy to share that each Kick button triggers a different Thomas Hearns-style Flicker punch. These punches are fast, have a wide range, and cover upward, downward, and horizontal angles. This adds a dynamic element to his standard gameplay, allowing you to easily adapt to different approaches.

Nakayama-san expressed his excitement about bringing Ed to life as originally intended. He appreciates Ed's anti-hero personality, but he takes immense pride in the animations and movements. Personally, I believe Nakayama-san and the Capcom team have done a fantastic job with Ed's smooth, stylish, and impressive movements.

"When we worked on the motion capture for Ed, we collaborated with a professional boxer," Nakayama-san explained. Together, we discussed the specific characteristics that Ed, as a character, needed to embody. Through these conversations, even Ed's neutral standing pose evolved over time. It was a rewarding experience to work closely with another expert to perfect his movements.

This attention to detail is evident in Ed's gameplay in SF6, where he feels absolutely fantastic. He seamlessly integrates into the new game systems, showcasing his versatility. Despite his Drive Rush being slightly slower, the extended range he gains when combining it with any of his Flicker punches more than compensates for it. Additionally, Ed's moves have been simplified, now utilizing standard quarter circle inputs (236 or 214 for those who are fans of anime fighting games, like myself).

Even though Ed is categorized as a Tricky type character, his tools are actually quite simple to use initially. However, when you start delving deeper into his moves, you'll realize that there are multiple ways to utilize or cancel each of his specials. Opting for the charged versions of his moves may lead to a longer and riskier startup, unless you have a specific strategy in place to charge them up safely. Players who are looking to master Ed will find plenty of depth to explore.

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Street Fighter 6 has always had eye-catching concept art right from the start, showcasing a wide range of character designs. When I talked to Nakayama-san and Matsumoto-san about how they guide the style of characters, especially those returning from previous games like Ed, they mentioned the importance of respecting the players' connection to these characters and preserving what they love about them.

In terms of the storyline, Street Fighter 6 is the latest installment in the series timeline. When bringing back legacy characters like Ryu, it's crucial to capture the essence and history of the character. The goal is to show that these characters are evolving and growing, keeping the excitement alive. For example, Ed had a specific look in V, but the team wanted to redesign him for Street Fighter 6. They also made a conscious decision to give all characters relatively large fists, a nod to SF4. Despite initial challenges, they were able to achieve the desired slim look for Ed in Street Fighter 6, a milestone they are proud of.

One of my favorite abilities in Street Fighter V is Ed's Psycho Flicker. This move is similar to his Psycho Snatcher V-Skill and allows him to zap the enemy with a medium-range web of Psycho power. Just like his Flicker punches, Psycho Flicker covers upward, downward, and horizontal angles.

Charging Psycho Flicker has the added benefit of grabbing the enemy and pulling them towards Ed, whether the attack lands or is blocked. This makes Heavy Punch into charged Psycho Flicker a versatile combo to have. If the enemy is hit, it sets up a full combo, but even if they block it, Ed still has the advantage, giving you the opportunity for a strike/throw mixup. Additionally, Ed can make himself plus after a blocked attack with his standing Heavy punch, which is also a plus move.

Another move that allows Ed to gain an advantage is his charged Psycho Knuckle. This nearly full-screen neutral-skip special is plus on block and leads to a combo on hit. This move, along with Psycho Flicker, gives Ed the tools to control the flow of the match and keep his opponents on their toes.

His level 2 super, reminiscent of V-Trigger Psycho Cannon from SFV, gives him a significant advantage and covers the entire screen slowly. This allows you to make the most out of it, whether your opponent blocks or gets hit. The consistent vibe I got from Ed during my play session was all about power and flexibility. With his two-part projectile and various tools, he feels more well-rounded and possesses a mid and long-range presence that many boxer-type enemies in fighting games lack.

I found it incredibly enjoyable to jump in and play matches with Ed right away, thanks to the clear and strong areas his attacks cover. This is something I also find true of SF6. Along with his great animation work, dark new laboratory stage, cocky flair, cool costumes, and fun voice acting, Ed exudes a lot of flavor. He is truly a blast to play, and I am eagerly looking forward to playing him even more.

Capcom has carefully redesigned Ed in Street Fighter 6. He still feels familiar, but his gameplay is unique compared to other characters. It's evident that Nakayama is dedicated to showing that Ed is the future of the franchise. His introduction in Street Fighter 6 marks an exciting progression for the series.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an in-depth analysis of Ed's character in Street Fighter 6, highlighting his unique gameplay and the inspirations behind his design. It is evident that the developers have put a lot of thought and effort into creating a character that is both fun to play and visually appealing. Ed's transition from a hybrid fighter to a pure boxer has solidified his identity as a formidable opponent, and his Flicker punches and Psycho Flicker add a dynamic element to his combat style.

The article also sheds light on the development process, revealing the collaboration with a professional boxer to capture Ed's realistic movements. The attention to detail in Ed's animations and the respect for the character's history demonstrate the developers' commitment to creating a high-quality gaming experience. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Ed's character, making me eager to try him out in Street Fighter 6 and explore his potential.