Capcom gave MonsterVine the chance to check out Street Fighter 6’s Year 4 DLC pack as it releases, meaning I got to take the first character – Yasmine – for a whirl. I was a bit skeptical of this pack when it was announced, as I was hoping to get a couple of Street Fighter characters that were still missing from Street Fighter 6 (especially my beloved Dudley). But I’m always down to check out a new and original character, so I dove in to see how Yasmine played.
It’s a bit less common for Street Fighter characters to have weapons than to just use their limbs, so Yasmine is already unique thanks to her use of a karambit knife. She uses it with eskrima – a martial art that originated in (and is the national martial art of) the Philippines. I don’t know much about Filipino culture personally, but given that Street Fighter has always been a series about people from different cultures and countries battling one another across the globe, I’m happy to see another new culture get represented by a fighter.
Her character also has some of the same vibes as Sakura did in earlier Street Fighter games, as they’re both spunky high schoolers. Granted, Yasmine seems more shy overall and seems to sort of “lock in” before a fight, which helps set her apart. It’s almost like she has to put effort into being combative and a bit aggressive, which is a characteristic I didn’t anticipate but find very charming.
Yasmine has some speedy moves.
As for her gameplay style, Yasmine hits fast, typically going between the use of her knife and a variety of kicks. She also seems to control wind in some way, as a few of her attacks are imbued with gusts and little tornadoes. Admittedly, Yasmine doesn’t deal a massive amount of damage, but her quick hits are easy to throw out and combo together. She’s even got a feint variant of one of her specials, so you can play some mind games with her opponents. I love a speedy character, so I’ve been rather enjoying using Yasmine and her fluid moves.
Some of Yasmine’s attacks allow her to go into “Bayani Mode,” which makes her next attack more powerful. One such move is her Level 2 Super, which grants Yasmine access to a new special and puts her into an install state where she deals additional damage the whole time. It’s an exciting mechanic that I’m still getting the hang of, but it adds a pleasant layer of complexity to the character.
Yasmine serves as a great start to Street Fighter 6’s latest grouping of DLC fighters, as she represents how much potential new original characters can have. I’m feeling a bit more optimistic about the other original characters (and as a massive fan of Final Fantasy VII, I’m extremely excited for Tifa Lockhart’s inclusion), so I can be a bit more patient as I wait for Dudley if it means getting more fighters like Yasmine. She’s currently available to purchase, with the next character – Arjun – set to arrive this coming autumn.
