Darkstalkers 4 - Fighting Tweaks and Stages

Darkstalkers 4 – Fighting System Tweaks

Note: The following ideas may be changed during development, so everything you see here are not my final ideas for this fighting system AND its tweaks.

The fighting system of Darkstalkers 4 is made to be traditional to the series, having not only mixtures of both the earlier Darkstalkers games and Vampire Savior, but also some new custom ideas. Here is how the system works.

Aside from the DLC Modes that have yet to be looked into, Darkstalkers is a fast paced 1 vs. 1 fighter that is much faster than that of Street Fighter. The ideals for each match is as follows…both you and your opponent have what's called a Soul Count…shown as small icons under your life bar, number of Soul bars you have can be freely edited before the match starts (5 Maximum), each time you lose a full bar of life, you lose a Soul on your Soul Count. Whoever can get the other opponent's soul count to zero first is the winner of the fight.

This was first styled together in Vampire Savior, counting each knockdown as a round without having any interruptions and round switching, and this carries itself over to Darkstalkers 4, only much more fluent and detailed. One of the new features of Darkstalkers 4 is the editing of the EX gauge, now outfitted to be what is now known as "Soul Gauge". As you fight, your gauge will fill with fighting intent, being able to get a total of 5 full bars in one go being the maximum amount. Once you fill a bar, you'll gain access to "EX Hyper" Moves. These abilities are powerful attacks you can use against your opponent to do more damage. These are your basic Super Moves to go to, not to mention EX Moves are accessible using one Soul Bar as well. Each character also has access to an Ultimate EX Technique, only available once you have 3 full bars in your soul gauge. This attack does a very large amount of damage to your opponent, but will be gone once you use it, so be careful when using this attack.

Another unique thing to note is that different characters have differently designed soul gauges to show their personality/attitudes, although this does not affect the way characters gain meter, it's just for looks and design.

Here's a few designs given out so far…

Lust:

Morrigan
Lilith
Marianne
Yoko

Evil:

Jedah
Dee
Corruption
Abyss
Shadow
Shadow Talbain
Bishamon (Armor)

Power:

Demitri Maximoff
Janeeva the Slime Queen

Animal:

Felicia
Tony
Regina
Jon Talbain
Sasquatch
Rikuo

Warrior:

Dracken
Lawrence Von Aensland
Sherayanna
Lilaca

Insanity:

B.B. Hood
Lord Raptor
Grimling
Arakune

Guardian:

Q-Bee
Hsien-Ko
Oboro Bishamon
Spitfire
Ruby Heart
Donovan Baine
Anubis
Anakaris

Interstellar:

Pyron

Technological:

Huitzil:

Mystical:

Celestia Veranova

All of these Gauges have different designs to fit the style of the character, a unique trait to Darkstalkers 4's hub.

One of the final tweaks to Darkstalkers 4's gameplay is the overall speed of the game, which has been slightly increased in order to make much more competitive and enjoyable fighting experiences. The roster as of on disc is 40 characters, which means TONS of possibilities for players when it comes to playing this game. There's also an official total of 24 stages to play on…and due to they haven't been given out to the general public yet, allow me to list them all for you now.

Darkstalkers 4 Stage Selection:

Stage #1: Maximoff Castle (Demitri's Stage):

Fight during the invasion of Corruption's Army on Demitri's castle, featuring cameos from playable characters if they're not being used in the current fight.

Stage #2: Moonlit Peaks (Jon Talbain/Shadow Talbain Stage)

Nestled in the moonlit hills near a small desolate town that can be seen from the distance, this stage features fog effects, packs of real wolves and much more as you fight to survive in the dead of the night. This stage also features an alternate style in the boss battle against Shadow Talbain.

Stage #3: Egyptian Ruins (Anakaris/Anubis Stage)

This stage takes place deep in the ruins of Anakaris' fallen kingdom. Do you fight your opponents for victory, or fight to escape with your life? The choice is up to you.

Stage #4: Downtown Beats (Felicia/Tony Stage)

The street is illuminated in the bright lights of fame and fortune. Do not let your temptations get a hold of you, fight for your dreams and what you see is right.

Stage #5: Amazonian Temptation (Rikuo/Lilaca Stage)

Situated deep within the Amazon Forest, the area is at peace. Are you willing to disrupt said peace to beat your opponent?

Stage #6: Makai Kingdom Main Hall (Pyron/Huitzil/Lawrence Stage)

The way to the truth is right before you, do not let anyone stand between you and what you must know, do what you must to win.

Stage #7: Airship Port Deck (Ruby Heart Stage)

The only thing standing between you and victory is 50,000 feet to the ground. Watch your step…

Stage #8: Arctic Freeze (Sasquatch Stage)

The temperature continues to drop by the minute, only the heat of battle can burn your soul hot enough to stay warm. Fight…or freeze.

Stage #9: Burning Meadows (Regina/Q-Bee Stage)

Lost everything…taken nothing, fate is cruel to those who least deserve it. Stick to the things you love most…

Stage #10: Poisonous Swamps (Janeeva Stage)

One can only take so much, how much can you take? Your fight is not only against your opponent, it is against the clock…

Stage #11: Makai Kingdom Dungeon (Lilith/Arakune Stage)

The tools of insanity illuminate amongst the lit flames, do not lose sight of your goal through fear…fight back against what frightens you…

Stage #12: Cathedral of the Blessed (Hsien-Ko Stage)

The guiding light of the Heaven shows the path of salvation and truth. Do not fall for illusions, seek out the real path…

Stage #13: Abandoned Battlefield (Bishamon (Armor) Stage/Oboro Bishamon/Ilexia Oni/Dee Stage)

Stage #14: Festival of the Dead (Yoko Stage)

Illusions are made to deceive one's sight of truth, see past the lies and find what you are looking for!

Stage #15: Shrouded Forest (Shadow Stage)

Darkness is all around us, covering us like a blanket. However, even the smallest light…can glow in the darkest black…

Stage #16: Venice Canals (Celestia Stage)

The beautiful city of Venice as night comes out to play, will you take in the views, or fight to see the next beautiful day?

Stage #17: Music of the Damned (Lord Raptor Stage)

Deep in the underworld, there is said to be a place where the dead come together…a place where one could pick a good fight and enjoy good music. Which have you come for?

Stage #18: Memories of Agony (B.B. Hood Stage)

The past is stained with painful memories, sustaining the effect of pain in the present. Keep your head on straight, and do not give into the darkness inside you…

Stage #19: Preparations for War (Spitfire Stage)

The guns are loaded, soldiers prepped, and a new era of bloodshed ready to unfold. Will you be the first to become a victim of this needless tragedy?

Stage #20: Burning Darkness (Abyss Stage)

A once peaceful town now burning to the ground, genocide left in the path of a single being. Do not lose yourself now, your true enemy is right in front of you!

Stage #21: Makai Kingdom Throne Room (Corruption/Jedah Stage)

There is no such thing as destiny or fate, everything happens for a reason. What is your reason to fight? What do you plan to accomplish once this is all over?

Stage #22: Calling of the Shadows (Grimling Stage)

The cackling shadows creep up behind you, preparing you for the fright of your life. See past the smoke and mirrors...do not fall to temptation.

Stage #23: Pillar of the Dragon (Dracken Stage)

Sacred and pure, one can easily travel down the wrong path. The only thing you can rely on his a pure goal and mind. Do not lose what is most dear to your survival…

Stage #24: Rebelling Light (Donovan/Anita Stage)

The light casts out the darkness, clearing one's mind of evil. Can you reach the light, or will the darkness once again pull you under its control?


That's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this, for next up is Story Mode for each character…

Created by Hotfeet444.~