While I think Akuma's story mode was good from a character development standpoint, I think they didn't explain it well. Akuma is basically granting Gen what he wants - death. Gen wasn't on the way out like he was in Alpha 2. He probably only had a few months to live at best, and Akuma granted him his final wish. Again, Akuma isn't a horrible dude. He just loveeessss fighting.
As for why he didn't kill Ryu, it's obvious - Ryu isn't done progressing. Despite finding a new mode, dude ain't ready for Akuma, and the latter is curious as to how Ryu is gonna play out. So they resolve to meet up later once Ryu is done training. It'd be a waste to kill your rival who just learned of a power that could equal your own, you know?
I personally don't think he was wanting to grant Gen his wish, I think Capcom made Akuma kill him because Gen's gonna eventually pass and they needed to find a reason for it. While I do want to believe he's giving Gen what he wants, Capcom didn't give any explanation for that, not even text afterwards and it looks like Akuma went back on his previous word and killed him. They should have explained it because it's definitely not explained well at all. He's definitely someone who loves fighting, not horrible at all. It's just a misunderstanding in that scene, I just think they fucked up so if you think that then that's your opinion and it's all open for interpretation.
To the Ryu stuff yeah Akuma just left because Ryu wasn't ready yet. That I agree with.
Ryu was already out. Akuma didn't kill him so the talk was useless if Ryu was stalling. Akuma was walking away. The difference between that speech and the one with Gen's is that Akuma is just being insulting and telling him to shut it so they can get to the good stuff. That fight was clearly for Gen, so Akuma is like "dude, let's finish this so I can go home and catch Desperate Housewives and you can die or something".
The biggest issue about his character is how he started. Akuma was at first possessed, then they retconned that, THEN they had to make him an asshole who kills masters and shit, but wait, he only wants a good fight? And what's this shit about him saving a kid? He spared Adon, too? They basically have to make up for previous endeavors of making him out to be evil when he really isn't.
Yep, he did those things which not many people know about. That's the thing with Akuma. Some know he's good, some think he's evil but people don't know about the things he's done as a whole. Guys like Ken, Guile, we know what side they're on. People are always questioning what side Akuma's on down to the point where they probably threw these things into his Story Mode so they can make some people say "hey, he killed Necalli and didn't kill Ryu and he's smiling so he's good after all", who knows.
I say they need to find a way to get an Akuma Cinematic Story Mode or at least an animated movie for him, just something that explains who he is to most that don't know. He's really not evil, just loves fighting. It needs to be established.
I think that's just a stylistic choice in general. You wouldn't be able to see them with his hairdo right now, so I guess that's why he wears them as they are. Once he shaves, he'll go back to donning them around his neck. I wouldn't see why they can't be adjustable, but I can see why people would take issue with the beads being on his chest.
Exactly my point.
Depending on how SFV deals with the canon, he'll probably just keep the power of the beast mode but refine his look. His talk with Ryu hints that he's still a human that just loves to fight under all that mess, so hopefully they'll tie that in.
I think if we saw how he transitions from here to 3, it'd help explain some of those features, but it'll either be in artbooks or in interviews. I don't dislike the mane, but it can be offputting, so I can see why people wouldn't like it in general. But at the same time, it makes sense to me with how they are treating his character. Hopefully they finish it.
I'm honestly think they'll say something like "we saw people played the Nostalgia version more so we've given him a new look that's in-between that version and 3 so that'll be him" from now on. Given the reception and how many people are playing the classic more, I only see Akuma looking this way for 1 game. They'll probably make the standard version the Premium costume in a future game.
Gameplay-wise he's perfect, same with strength-wise.
Maybe there's some hidden symbolism. Or maybe it's literally a rule of cool moment. It'd be nice if they went over it.
Yeah for Cinematic Story Mode 2 they need to address his look and that "bead sash" thing he has but I figure they won't. Either way, guess we gotta wait for those artbooks.
