Blocking is fundamental: back to block vs the block button
I'm just going to lay it out here and assume there may be an argument against the truth: pressing back to block feels inherently more natural in fighting games. It's intuitive, it flows with the movement of the character, and you'll get hit a lot less than you do in games with a block button.
Why should you sacrifice an attack button for a defensive action? It seems counter-intuitive. A direction opposite to where your character is facing always works better. Dedicating a button to what is essentially a passive action feels like a waste. Games that use a block button force the player to make a conscious decision, weighing defense against offense, with the same level of urgency as throwing a punch or kick.
You'd be better off setting up this basic defensive technique like in most 2D fighters. They allow you to naturally block when trying to position your character for a safe attack in neutral.
Best part about this: blocking in this way is activated based on proximity. If the attack CAN hit you, than you'll have the ability to block if your character in neutral(non attacking state, or anything status where blocking isn't disabled).
You won't block random jabs from across the screen, that have no way of actually hitting you. Having the block animation play in this instance would be too exploitable for your opponent, and mess up the flow of the match. games allowing players to block as a defencive command move lack the gameplay fluidity of those that keep it as a more passive tactic.
It doesn't take much to have halfway decent defense in most games. You can get away with being aggressive with rush down characters, because tatsu commands will give you a situational option-select in the heat of battle. If the opponent sneaks in an attack while you're doing your down to back motion, your character goes into the block animation instead of activating your special when an attack button is used.
Messing with the formula for such a simple mechanic is pretty weird at this point. It's like trying to reinvent the wheel when the existing design works perfectly.
With that said, I sometimes wonder just how much "back to block" would change Virtua Fighter and Mortal Kombat's gameplay. Those two series went against the grain and showed there's more than one way to skin a cat. They proved that a dedicated block button can work, and even be integral to the game's identity.
However, I still can't stand the block button. It just doesn't feel right to me. It feels like an unnecessary complication, a forced mechanic that disrupts the natural flow of combat.
I understand that different games have different design philosophies, and that the block button has its place. But for me, "back to block" will always be the superior method. It's simple, it's intuitive, and it allows for a more fluid and natural combat experience.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. But I'll always advocate for "back to block" because, in my opinion, it's the most natural and effective way to defend yourself in a fighting game.
