Command input moves (sp attacks) and their meaning

Thread: Special Attacks and Inputs

Summary: This thread compiled feedback regarding input commands for special moves. This is confirmed as being a system in Bloodstained now. A poll was attached and more technical opinions were collected. All in all, long before confirmation, almost all fans here were excited for their return or at least did not mind them.

Inputs input!:

• With 100 votes in a forum poll by 78 respondents over about 6 months, we have an opinion of 84% in favor of the return of special attacks with at least quarter circle or "back to forward" complexity
• Of those that do not mind directional input special attacks, a bit over a third of votes for specials were in favor also of more difficult motions such as half circles. Less favor was given to more complicated inputs such as "pretzel" (Geese's Raging Storm) motions or other irregular fighting game motions
• A main issue with the difficulty of motions in SotN is likely from how the input interpreter was coded in-game rather than so much the actual motions themselves, as noted by speedrunners such as mecharichter and romscout during streams and marathons. It is felt that how the inputs were handled were one main reason some players from before did not like input commands, and that experience may inform votes here as well. One approach would be to improve the buffer for inputs in regards to leniency, but also that the game can read your inputs well and clearly
• It will be important to not overlap too much with other actions to interfere with platforming and dodging that could hamper the experience. Mind given to control overlap, input priority, and the aforementioned input interpreter concerns could alleviate this issue greatly
• It was felt that some degree of natural correlation and intuitiveness between the attack's action and what its input is would be favorable
• Trying out different input motions to find a weapon's "hidden" attack/trying to find spells in SotN after acquiring something new was a great joy for many players and some of our most memorable moments

 
And the following considerations as an aside (btw guys reading this in 2018, this is just stuff I added myself lol):

• A concession I had considered, as a means of simplifying motions for those that would rather not have to use them, the game could have in it an equipable accessory (or shard) that allows direction + button for these attacks, at the cost of using an accessory/shard slot. It would have utility for those that can do the motions as is, too, though, as it could allow grounded actions to be done in the air for new attack/mobility options (i.e. SotN attacks as an example, forward + R1 could perform a mid-air Alucard Sword special, or a mid-air Hellfire teleport for additional jump distance and invincibility)
• A couple of players expressed concern as to the need/gameplay practicality of motions. This should probably be balanced against a "fun factor"/the sake of IGAvania variety and discovery, and perhaps somehow upgradeable for player preference. For relevance, a personal idea if this "different" category of attacks needs a spot to fill in the narrative, some of these actions could be the attacks mentioned early on in the Kickstarter, such as "Voltic Chain" which was specifically described as "not a demonic ability". These seemed to me to originate directly from Miriam/her back crystal itself rather than external demonic abilities, and most were crystal or glass-like in origin (the wine glass, throne, chains) - could this mean she produces a crystalline substance to a degree, as also would be evidenced by concept art of stained glass-appearing weapons? Could this Iceman-like production be related to crafting then, as well? (narrative relation/plausibility)