Art Of Fighting 3 (Arcade) - All Throw Moves & Counter Attacks

Channel:

All Throws

Subscribers:

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Published on October 6, 2023 4:09:23 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM_P3EgLxes

Game:

Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior (1996)

Duration: 2:04

3,002 views

28

Character select:
0:00 - Robert Garcia
0:08 - Ryo Sakazaki
0:15 - Rody Birts
0:31 - Kasumi Todoh
0:45 - Wang Koh-Sah
0:57 - Lenny Creston
1:04 - Karman Cole
1:30 - Jin Fu-Ha
1:42 - Sinclair*
1:47 - Wyler*

*Boss characters can be made available by time release, or manually enabled by the arcade machine operator.

Art Of Fighting 3: The Path Of The Warrior is the third entry in the Art Of Fighting series by SNK. Similar to its predecessors, AOF3 is a 2D versus fighting game. It was released on the Neo Geo MVS arcade hardware and home console in 1996.

With the exception of the two main characters of the series, Ryo and Robert, AOF3 features an entirely new cast of playable characters. Ryo's sister, Yuri Sakazaki, returns as a non-playable story character. This time, the main story of AOF3 is based on Robert rather than Ryo. In most cases, characters are investigating the disappearance of Robert's childhood friend Freia Lawrence, who is helping the villain Wyler to create a super serum. Wyler serves as the final boss of the game, except in a couple of cases where Ryo or Robert is the last character to be encountered.

As the story of AOF3 is based on travelling, characters are not shown fighting in their home locations. However, each fighter is still assigned their own stage. Some backgrounds have both a daytime and nighttime version.

AOF3 takes a fairly grounded approach to combat gameplay, making it reminiscent of more realistic 3D fighting games like Virtua Fighter. However, the game still includes Street Fighter style special moves such as "Hadouken" fireballs.

Each character has a standardised counter attack called a 'redirect'. This is either a parry or dodge animation which causes the attacking opponent to lose balance and flip over onto their back. All characters can also perform a ground attack called a 'pursuit'. This may consist of a ground punch, a jumping stomp attack (such as Jin's Senton bomb), or in Karman's case, a grabbing punch. While the redirect move does not inflict damage, it leaves the opponent vulnerable to a pursuit attack.

As is usual for the Art Of Fighting series, AOF3 takes a simple approach to throw moves. Each character (with the exception of Sinclair) has one main throw, which is performed using a dedicated button. Depending on the character, it may be possible to perform additional command grabs, or counter attacks in response to specific strikes. Karman's desperation super move is a throwing attack, which requires him to be in a state of low health whilst having a full spirit gauge.

It is disappointing that Sinclair doesn't have a throw other than her redirect. This may be because she is wielding a sword. However, other fighting game characters with swords are still able to use throws, so I don't see this as a good excuse. Lenny has a throw which takes advantage of her whip. Even Rody has a throw, despite both of his hands being occupied with tonfas. The final boss Wyler cannot be thrown due to his size, with the exception of a command throw by Wang which is based on a melee attack. Wyler can still be flipped over with a redirect, however.

There are no real grappler characters in AOF3. Despite looking the part, Jin only has one additional command throw which is a counter attack. Karman has the most grabs and counters, although they do not resemble the professional wrestling style moves which would be expected of a true fighting game grappler. I also noticed that Kasumi has a simplified and stripped-down set of throws compared to her appearance in The King Of Fighters.

AOF3 has beautifully animated sprites which add a sense of realism to the combat. Kasumi's aikido style wrist locks and throws are particularly convincing. There are also attractive elements in the stage backgrounds, such as the waterfalls in the Quixotec Temple level.

The music of AOF3 is rather repetitive and annoying. I do however like the classy music which plays on completion of the game, which includes digitised voice samples. It reminds me of the smooth jazz style soundtrack of Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

Overall, AOF3 is an impressive fighting game. It deserves more recognition for providing a grounded 2D fighting game experience with detailed and attractive visuals.

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