For those of you who are unfamiliar with Alex, he’s a character which first debuted in the Street Fighter III series. The main protagonist, he’s a beloved grappler character who has also made an appearance in Street Fighter V, appearing as a DLC character. Out of the four characters we were being greeted to by Street Fighter 6’s 3rd season, he’s the 2nd most hyped character for me.
Let’s check out the trailer and what CAPCOM has cooked up, then I’ll give you my analysis and thoughts on what we’re seeing. Stay tuned.
First off, let’s talk about the fact that they got Alex’s theme to be done by the legendary JAM Project. These are the same people who have did so many memorable anime openings, including IP’s like One-Punch Man, Cardfight!! Vanguard, and Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden. I was just incredibly surprised to see JAM Project’s involvement, but that’s how you know just how beloved Alex is as a character to most fans of Street Fighter.
As far as his personality, Alex is cocky and forward. I feel like he’s strong, he knows he’s strong, and is willing to test that theory whenever possible. His devil may care attitude is certainly one I can get behind, as it feels more playful and whimsical than it is malicious. As far as his costume goes, I wouldn’t say I love or hate it; it definitely “fits” Alex. I feel like it’s something his character would wear, and while I’m sure you’re wonder, “What does that even mean?”. It just means that it resonates with who I believe he’s designed to be.
Alex’s moves are explosive and dynamic. They list these officially in the Press Release email I’ve got from CAPCOM, so we’ll go over them here.
- Flash Axe: A rapid attack with light and medium options. The light version is a great combo ender whereas the medium can transition into Prowler Stance upon hit.
- Flash Chop: When this bodacious heavy strike hits on the ground, the opponent will be opened up to a follow-up grab like Power Bomb or Oblique Stomp for some wicked damage. The OD version allows Alex to transition to Prowler Stance on hit.
- Aerial Knee Smash: A fantastic anti-air technique as Alex jumps into the air and slams his opponent into the ground with his knee.
- Power Bomb: Alex’s signature move comes with light, medium, and heavy variations, which all deal the same damage while offering other unique benefits.
- Prowler Stance: Alex forfeits the ability to block while in this stance, but gains 11 different follow-up options to mix-up his opponent. For example, if you land Sweep Combination (Target Combo), Hyper Takedown (Throw), or Dangerous Armbar (Throw) on a Punish Counter, they’ll transition into Flying Suplex, Death Valley Bomb, and Spiral DDT respectively.
- Raging Spear: Alex’s Level 1 Super Art has him spring forward with a devastating tackle. This move is invincible on start-up to both strikes and throws and can also be used in combos.
- Sledgecross Hammer: Alex’s Level 2 Super Art crushes opponents with a devastating lariat that can wall splat if it hits an airborne opponent and has some invincibility from projectiles.
- Omega Wing Buster: Alex has another Level 2 Super Art following a successful OD Power Drop where Alex can transition into Omega Wing Buster. If this move looks familiar it might be because wrestling superstar Kenny Omega performed this move’s motion capture for Alex!
- The Final Prison: Alex’s Level 3 Super Art The Final Prison has four different animations! The wrestler chokes the opponent out with a series of phenomenal grappling moves. There’s the normal Level 3 version, the Level 3 version that results in a K.O., the normal CA version, and a CA version that ends in a K.O.
It’s interesting to me that he has such a variety of moves. Mainly because Grappler’s usually suffer from a very straight-forward gameplan which is built upon understanding the game fundamentally, playing a patient neutral game to finally gain ground, and then convincing your opponent their best option is to block rather than jump. The gameplan Alex has is one of seeming constant offensive pressure and mobility; something rarely seen within the grappler archetype. The most interesting thing is this “Prowler Stance”.
Losing the ability to block while running is a small thing compared to the mental stack it puts on with the follow-up attacks. The fact he has 11 different follow-ups is INSANE. The fact that they gain additional damage by transitioning into more moves if they land on Punish Counter is even more wild. I’m sure it will lose to reversal supers and DPs, but ultimately if you can also use it as bait if it has a “break” mechanic, then I’m sure the mindgames are only going to stack.
His entire kit is incredibly hard-hitting in its impact and brutality. I like how he’s a showman who combines street fighting and pro wrestling. The only let down I have from seeing his entire gameplay trailer is his Level 3, “The Final Prison”. Apparently there are four different versions of it, and we have only seen a single animation. I am hoping that the other three make up for how lackluster this move is. You’ve got so many hard-hitting slams, suplexes, and aggressive holds to simply give a plain leglock the main spotlight like this. Here’s hoping for something more befitting Alex.
Overall, I think that he’s an interesting character who will shake things up a lot. A grapple-based character aside from Manon and Zangief will give another option, and hopefully one who can better compete with the current meta of things going on in Street Fighter 6. So what are your thoughts about Alex? Let me know!
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