Street Fighter V

Alright, here's the rundown on Part 4 of our Street Fighter V journey! This section is all about getting a handle on the game's controls, especially that super important bionic arm. Think of it as your primary tool for pretty much everything, from swinging across gaps to just moving around.

We'll break down the basic controls first, and then get into the nitty-gritty of using that bionic arm. It might seem a little tricky at first, especially with some of the swinging sections later on, but trust me, with a little practice, you'll be a pro in no time. The key is to really understand how it works early on, so you can nail those tougher challenges when they come up.

Basic Controls Overview:

First off, let's look at the controller. You've got your trusty Directional Pad (D-Pad) for movement, and the A, B, Start, and Select buttons. Each one has its own job:

• Directional Pad (D-Pad): This is your main movement tool. Up moves elevators, Down makes you crouch or moves elevators down, Right lets you walk right, and Left lets you walk left. Plus, all directions have a 'bionic arm usage' function tied to them, which we'll get to soon!
• A-BUTTON: This is for bionic arm usage, confirming choices in menus, and moving dialogues forward.
• B-BUTTON: Your go-to for firing your weapon, or backing out of conversations and screens.
• START-BUTTON: Use this to activate accessories or to start the game itself.
• SELECT-BUTTON: This one's for pausing the game or choosing options when you're on the title screen.

Quick Escape: If you ever find yourself in a really sticky situation, or just realize you forgot something do-or-die, you can press A + B + Start all at once. This will bail you out of the current area and take you back to the map screen. It's a lifesaver if you're about to lose all your lives!

Nailing the Bionic Arm:

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the bionic arm. Seriously, this thing is your most important tool. You'll be using it for everything, and some later levels have some pretty intense swinging sections that can end you if you mess up. So, pay close attention here, and definitely practice on the earlier, easier levels until you've got the hang of it. I'll use 'arm' as a shorthand for 'bionic arm' from now on to keep things simple.

The arm is pretty versatile. You'll be using it for movement, interacting with the environment, and more. Make sure you're comfortable with how it works in different directions, as you'll need it for precise maneuvers. Don't rush this part; getting good with the arm early on will make the rest of the game much smoother!

The bionic arm is a game-changing tool in the game, used for traversal, combat, and item collection. It allows Ladd to swing over gaps, climb platforms, push away enemies and bullets, and pull in distant items. Unlike other games, jumping is not possible; all movement requiring vertical or horizontal displacement relies on the bionic arm.

Basic Moves:

The A-button is the primary control for the bionic arm. In its normal state (not hanging):

• Press A-button: Shoots the arm diagonally upwards.
• Hold Up + A-button: Shoots the arm straight up.
• Duck + A-button: Shoots the arm straight forward while ducking.
• Walk + A-button: Shoots the arm straight forward while standing.

The arm can only connect to specific objects and materials, primarily horizontal platforms. It cannot connect to vertical walls but can attach to objects like barrels and the sides of platforms. Some platforms are made of a material the arm cannot grip.

Arm Connected Straight Up:

When the arm connects straight up:

• If Ladd is standing on a platform, he holds his position. He can fire his weapon, turn left/right, move to the highest position, or remove the arm, but cannot walk away.
• If Ladd is hanging in the air, controls are similar, but he will fall if the arm is removed.

Controls (Arm Connected Straight Up):

• D-Pad Left/Right: Turns Ladd left/right.
• D-Pad Down: Removes the arm.
• A-button: Raises Ladd to the highest position.
• B-button: Fires weapon.

Arm Connected Diagonally (Standing on Platform):

If the arm connects diagonally while Ladd is on a platform:

• He holds his position. Controls differ from the upward connection: he can fire his weapon but not turn around. Removing the arm returns him to normal mode. He can raise to the platform. Moving in the direction he faces enters "swinging mode".
• If the arm connects diagonally while Ladd is in the air, he automatically enters "swinging mode".

Controls (Arm Connected Diagonally, Standing):

• D-Pad Down: Removes the arm.
• A-button: Raises Ladd to the highest position.
• D-Pad (Direction Ladd Faces): Enters "swinging mode".
• D-Pad (Opposite Direction): Removes the arm.
• B-button: Fires weapon.

Swinging Mode:

In this mode, Ladd swings rapidly left and right. Swing speed and length depend on arm extension: maximum extension allows huge swings, minimal extension allows tiny swings. While swinging, Ladd can jump away or raise to the top position. Raising to the top position takes longer than when stationary. Jumping off or climbing onto a platform returns Ladd to normal mode.

Controls (Swinging Mode):

• D-Pad Right: Ladd leaps far to the right.
• D-Pad Left: Ladd leaps far to the left.
• D-Pad Down: Ladd drops off the arm at low speed.
• A-button: Raises Ladd to the highest position.

Highest Position:

Here, Ladd hangs just below the platform. He can turn left/right, drop down, or climb onto the platform above if possible. If the space above is solid, he cannot climb up.

Controls (Highest Position):

• D-Pad Left/Right: Turns Ladd left/right.
• D-Pad Down: Removes the arm.
• D-Pad Up: Ladd climbs onto the platform above (if possible).
• B-button: Fires weapon.

Arm Connected Horizontally (Standing on Platform):

If Ladd is in the air when the arm connects horizontally, he enters "swinging mode". Otherwise, he can remove the arm or pull himself towards the connected object. If he falls off a platform during this pull, he enters "swinging mode"; otherwise, he moves next to the object.

Controls (Arm Connected Horizontally):

• A-button: Pulls Ladd next to the item.
• D-Pad (Opposite Direction Ladd Faces): Removes arm.

This section details how to navigate the map in Bionic Commando, covering starting options, map features, different area types, and travel restrictions.

Start Options:

• Start: Begins a new game from Area 1 with 3 lives, Standard Cannon, and Red Communicator.
• Continue: Resumes from outside the last perished area with 3 lives and all equipment. Bullet count is reduced to the level of the latest health bar gain. Continues are limited and must be collected by defeating harder enemies.

Map Navigation (4.4.2):

The map is high-stakes for traveling between areas and entering levels. You start at Area 0 and travel to Area 1. Using a continue places you outside the area where you died.

• Your icon is the blue chopper; green tanks represent enemies.
• Numbered squares are game areas. Reaching an area offers 'Decend' (enter the level) or 'Transfer' (choose a new destination).
• Use D-Pad Left/Right to change directions and A-button to confirm travel. Travel is restricted to drawn lines.

Tank Travelling Paths:

• Tank 1: Area 4 → Area 5 → Area 15 → Area 4 → Area 1 → Area 4 (Repeat)
• Tank 2: Area 3 → Area 6 → Area 5 → Area 2 → Area 16 → Area 5 → Area 6 → Area 3 (Repeat)
• Tank 3: Area 8 → Area 19 → Area 8 → Area 7 → Area 18 → Area 7 → Area 8 (Repeat)
• Tank 4: Area 7 → Area 8 → Area 10 → Area 8 → Area 19 → Area 8 → Area 6 → Area 8 → Area 7 (Repeat)
• Tank 5: Area 10 → Area 12 → Area 11 → Area 10 (Repeat)

Area Types:

• Enemy Areas (Numbers 1-12): White background, low numbers. Contain levels with challenges and a boss room with a final computer. Finishing often yields an item.
• Neutral Areas (Numbers 13-19): Red background, high numbers. Violence is prohibited; firing weapons triggers alarms and endless attacks. Items or clues are often found here. Some have hazards like water pits and spikes.
• Enemy Field Stages: Triggered by running into a tank or using secret paths. These stages are unavoidable.

Hidden Paths:

• Two hidden paths offer faster travel but always trigger an Enemy field stage. Details on opening them are in the Area 17 walkthrough.

Travel Restrictions:

• Area 6 to Area 8: Requires both Blue and Orange Communicator.
• Area 8 to Area 10: Requires saving Super Joe in Area 7.
• Entering Area 12: Requires completing both Area 10 and Area 11.

Different Types of Areas (4.4.3):

Enemy Areas: Most common, with levels, terrains, and a boss room at the end. Goal is to reach the boss and destroy the final computer. Contact rooms may be necessary for access. Marked white with low numbers (1-12). Finishing usually grants a progress-enhancing item.

Neutral Areas: Zones where violence is forbidden. Firing weapons causes alarms and endless attacks. Items or clues are often found here. Some have hazards. Marked red with high numbers (13-19). Access may require specific items.

Enemy Field Stages: Encountered when running into a tank or using secret paths. These are unavoidable.