How a newbie sees VF4...

It is about a week ago when I bought VF4.
I expected already a deep game because it was recommended by my training-partner at the jiu-jitsu-club, who told me about it.
...but it is even deeper /versus/images/icons/smile.gif
Sofar I did some Kumite-matches but I soon found out that my button-hammering would not bring me far /versus/images/icons/wink.gif
So, time to go into training-camp. I choosed a character who also does jiu-jitsu, because I expected it was easiest for me.....
The regular reader of this forum probably found my topics with questions about the multi throw escapes in the trial mode. Shows that even that was difficult for me /versus/images/icons/blush.gif
I have to say, I never played a fighting game before; no Tekken, no Street Fighter, nothing! So I still have a hard time to get used to the high speed of the game. I slowly start to learn to block in time, but don't expect me to reverse! I did read tons of posts and info from this great site and while reading I realized how deep this game is: You need to know the most important moves from all players to reverse or throw-escape succesfull, I found out! No wonder that a lot of players overhere also has chess as hobby /versus/images/icons/laugh.gif ( I played it too for quite some time, but stopped ).
It is hard to find out where is best to start the game, being a newbie, but I will mix a bit between training mode and to do Kumite to get experience, just like you do in the real thing.
Talking about real: I sometimes find the characters look a bit like super-humans. You just broke the guy's both legs and immediately after that he jumps up and goes on with the fight! /versus/images/icons/laugh.gif Also those record-breaking high jumps are a bit too unhuman /versus/images/icons/smile.gif
Still I don't want to critsize the game, because it is really great and very addictive.
I realize, it is a bit too early to judge the game, playing it just a week. I really have so much to explore...
Off to play/train/explore again /versus/images/icons/smile.gif

 

Fortunately, nobody expects you to be able to reverse moves on reaction, the average poke (punch/elbow/ low punch) is just too fast. Same with throw escapes: you can't see the throw and escape it, you have to guess the throw and pick likely escapes. Of course, as you get better, you'll be able to predict when your opponent will throw, when he'll low punch, etc. and to do that you need to know the core moves for every character. Chess is definitely good preparation for VF /versus/images/icons/wink.gif

 

The easiest way to reverse something is if you are in the middle of a series and you have a pretty good feeling what is coming next...

ex, jacky does his lightning kick thing where he kicks the same like 6 times in a row...in the middle of this you throw in a reversal that corresponds with it (i forgot if its mid or high)

 

re:

Yep I know, I can't expect to have the reflexes already after one week. I find it interesting to read the replies of you guys (and dols? /versus/images/icons/wink.gif ) about it. I think the best way to learn is to start with the easy things and slowely on trying the more difficult things like the reversals and throw escapes.
Yes, two_bit_mage, your example is a good starting point when I decide to try those reversals.
How (which method) did you guys start playing, or is that too loooong ago? /versus/images/icons/grin.gif