To be honest other than it's inherent complexity I DO like it. But like I said. People have a way of ruining good things. Before long the hardcore user base will be so good at it and have devised the 'perfect' combos and strategies that I doubt as a casual player I'd be able to do anything but continuously die.
It used to fight like DBZ. It seems like with this new system we can do that on an unprecedented level of 'realism.' But I know the user base--unnappreciative kids who want a free game that runs on a Geforce2. It's going to be people abusing computer glitches and doing the 'lowest common denominator' type of play that we get in all multiplayer games these days.
And it's sad, honestly. These kids today on the net, they spend the first week figuring out all the hotspots, the best weapons/moves, reading walkthroughs and guides, even looking for cheats. Then they spend the rest of their time playing the game trying to do that same limited chain of repetitive junk OVER and OVER and OVER, to EVERY OPPONENT on EVERY SERVER in EVERY GAME. When they're at the top of the kill list, hurray.
That's what internet gamers these days call 'fun.' They know nothing about the thrill of a close fight, the pride of a tough victory, or the learning experiences of a narrow defeat.
Honestly I wondered if it would help if they take away the kill count in ESF. The goal in ESF should be to have good, DBZ-like battles, not to kill the most enemies. The best fights in DBZ usually ended with neither party dying. Maybe this great new melee system could have a dimishing-returns point system or something. I dunno.
I just wish I could believe people are going to use this "the right way." And I know what you're thinking, who is he to say what's the right way, right? Well I'm just a die-hard ESF fan who loves DBZ and loves video games. And honestly I hope that it DOES get used 'the right way.' But history has taught me better than that. The first two or three weeks will be super awesome and fun for everyone because we'll all be on even playing ground. After that people will find the holes and it'll be just like before.
Like I said before, I hope against hope that it doesn't go this way, because it sounds like phenomenal work and thought are being put into this system. Incidentally, excellent work to the team for putting this all together. I don't want to let my own personal worries cloud the great effort and workmanship being put into the game.
One way or the other it will be the best DBZ game ever made. And as for me, well...I can always hope.