The latest Marvel vs. Capcom 3 analysis from Sumoslamman covers Akuma. If this is a fighter you're considering playing, this is a good overview of what he is, and isn't capable of.
Normal Moves
Akuma has very fast normals, his jab is sickeningly quick, and his sweep combos into his launcher which is always a plus (Video 1 – :22). His aerial combo finisher lets you OTG with either of his aerial beam/fireball hypers making Akuma a ridiculous threat once he’s got you airborne (Video 1 – :53). On the ground he can combo into his Messatsu-Goshoryu (Uppercut hyper) from a very simple normal combo (Video 2 -:55). Unfortunately he has virtually no range on any of his attacks besides his low sweep, and even that’s not saying much.
He also a command normal, at least that’s what it looks like. He basically does a jumping spin kick that can be comboed into and cancelled into Hyakkishu (Demon Flip) mix-ups (Video 1 – :29, Video 2 – 2:01) as well as into hypers (Video 1 – :45). It has a decent amount of start-up so you don’t want to be using this outside of combos. Just like in MvC2 Akuma has quick normals but no real range to speak of. Hopefully that’s where you can substitute Demon Flip shenanigans, air fireballs, and assists to get him in close.
Sent in by Scrubs_and_Ninjas and Richi,
Akuma's a beast in MvC2 in low tier play. He just relys on assists moreso to get started. Can't wait to bring this dude.
So far I've yet to see anyone just get the simple ground combo, to Tatsu air hyper.
It's so rewarding for something so simple.
I've been seriously considering maiming Akuma ever since he's been rumored. Too bad I have to unlock him :/
#9
Maim Akuma? No way man. He's the bleeping raging demon!
(Wish this game was out. Need to beat the shiz out of some virtual dudes right about now.
PS Will Nilly isn't a phrase. Or maybe it is and I'm not hip to it...)
Willy nilly is absolutely a phrase! My parents use it all the time!
Complaining about unlocking 4 effin characters!?!?
Obviously don't remember or were not around for the salad days of MvC2 for the Dreamcast when you had to beat the game like 50+ times to gain points to unlock characters, alt colors, stages, etc. Good lord that was tedious!
Or even in the Arcade you had to beat the game a bunch of times to garner enough points to unlock certain characters. Vanilla SF4 was pretty tedious as well having to beat the game a certain way to unlock certain characters. This however, will be a cakewalk. First thing I'm gonna is get blazed and do work unlocking the 4 and all the alt colors which I'm assuming you have to do here like you did in TvC.
(I said 'will nilly' not 'willy nilly'. Typo man :P
Here, look at it: "potentially sticky situations but don’t be teleporting WILL NILLY")
@12
Lol I meant MAINING, that came out the exact opposite of how I intended.
Oh, and thats bad ass, I didn't know it was only one time through arcade mode to unlock him. That'll probably be the first thing I do when I get the game.
4 Times for Task?
I'd much Rather Purchase him the MvC2 way.
@Mikeydactyl
I know what you meant but at the same time I was like, "This dude is one cocky mother trucker thinking he can maim Akuma. Guy is bold!"
@sumoslamman
lmao @ all the ways that you avoid cussing. and by the way I love your analyses, they're amazing :B
So in essence hes balanced because his ridiculous damage comes off low range moves.. interesting.