The Russian bear wrestler has added some flair to his signature moves and introduced some new ones to boot, and in this teaser, the villainous M. Bison takes those big-booted kicks to the face. He is also subjected to suplexes, back breakers, body slams, and spinning piledrivers. You can’t argue with the classics, right?
Street Fighter V introduces a new fighting mechanic in the form of the V-Gauge, similar to the Focus Attack from the previous installment. The gauge fills up as a character takes damage or performs moves known as V-Skills. Zangief’s Iron Muscle V-Skill allows him to absorb an attack and grab an opponent if they are within range. When his gauge is full, Zangief can break out his V-Trigger attack, the Cyclone Lariat. This is a powerful spinning attack that pulls in an opponent and strikes them multiple times.
Critical Arts are part of a new feature similar to Super Moves from previous Street Fighter games. Zangief’s CA employs the use of a chain of suplexes, which can knock out his opponent. And here’s something we haven’t seen before: Zangief headbutting a projectile.
While this marks Zangief’s official return to the series, there have been subtle hints leading up to it. Sharp-eyed fans spotted him when Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono tweeted a photo of SF mainstay Blanka hanging out by Zangief’s belt.
Shortly after Zangief’s debut, Japanese video game publication Famitsu leaked photos of a new character named Laura (via Eventhubs). This Brazilian brawler’s style combines jiu-jitsu and electricty. With this latest addition, there are two characters left to reveal.
