Greetings and Welcome to another edition of my Who Would Win Series and it's going to be Axel Stone vs Blaze Fielding, both from Streets of Rage.
This blog will cover all the game feats and "Star Stats" and also, the Fighting Styles, Ultimates and of Course, General Physical Stats.
Now, this is actually a very interesting match up since this is one of the few instances when both characters from the same series literally have the same story arc regardless of who they are. Infact, before I go into the background, I decided to put Axel and Blaze as one single segment throughout this entire blog because, as you will see soon, both of them have done identical feats ;)
Without further ado, let's put these two badass beat em up icons to the test and see who really is the true conqueror of the "Streets of Rage"!!!!!!!
The Streets of Rage Story
In the present times, at Wood Oak City, a war zone has taken place. The Crime Syndicate led by the sinister Mr X has taken over Wood Oak City and became so powerful, he actually controlled law enforcement under his payroll, meaning, he bribed most of the Police Force, which in turn, sparked an outbreak of epic proportions across the City.
Everything was chaos, until three brave Police Officers, Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding and Adam Hunter took matters into their own hands and vowed to take down Mr X and his cronies once and for all
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| Left to Right: Adam Hunter, Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding |
Of course, these three heroes succeeded, and Mr X was eventually defeated. However, One Year Later, several Criminal Groups actually broke out once more, and, all that led to the kidnapping of, I kid you not...... Adam Hunter. That's right!!!! One of the very few times in video game story telling when the Damsel in Distress is actually a guy!!!!!!! That is some serious embarrassment right there XD!!!
However, Axel, Blaze and two more companions known as Max and Skate, eventually went on a Warpath once more and defeated Mr X and his Criminals to save Adam from getting possible mental trauma from the disastrous embarrassment XD!!!!
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| The Real Justice League!!!!!!! (How Ironic XD!!) |
Everything seemed to be fine for a while, until a cataclysmic event happened. Thousands of Wood Oak City's residents were killed by a Weapon of Mass Destruction, that ultimately was only a prototype of what was yet to come....... Thankfully, Axel, Blaze, Skate and Dr Zan, managed to foil the plans of those weapons by defeating the Brain of Mr X himself, and of course, save the President from assassination and even saved the World from Total Annihilation.
What? The Criminals are now attempting the Conquer the World yet they cannot completely destroy a city? XD!!!!!!
At last!!!!! Our brave heroes managed to have a very long and peaceful life.........
(Reads further)
Ahhhh!!!!!!
Ten Years Later, after the Defeat of Mr X and the Syndicate, Wood Oak City once again was under a war zone of epic proportions. The Cause? Two of Mr X's Twin Children, known as "Mr and Ms Y" have attempted to "Take Control" of the City using Radio Waves to brainwash the inhabitants and bend them to their will......
Ok, pause here, but Streets of Rage went from a heroic journey to saving a male damsel in distress and then preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction and now, we have Two of Mr X's twin children attempting to Mind Control the entire city. What is next? The Universe is going to be invaded by the Cookie Monster and George Hancock? That would be hilariously fitting for Streets of Rage XD!!!!!!!!
But, once again, Axel and Blaze, joined by Cherry Hunter (Adam Hunter's Daughter), Floyd Inaria and, Adam Hunter, who is not a Damsel in Distress this time :D!!!!!
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| Left to Right: Floyd, Blaze, Axel and Cherry |
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| Hey!!!! It's Adam!!! :D!!!!! |
Of course, the heroes foiled the evil twins plans and lived a peaceful life.... There is Mr X's Nightmare and all but that is more like a dream sequence.
That is a general rundown of the Story for Streets of Rage. Now, let's take a look at both Axel and Blaze's capabilities all in one rundown :D!!!!
Combat Skills
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| Axel's Grand Upper Combo |
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| Blaze's Basic Combo |
Possessing a highly effective style of close quarters combat, both Axel and Blaze are exceptionally skilled. The most significant aspects of their fighting styles are their respective Martial Arts Skills that make them extremely dangerous when up close and personal. Here is a rundown of Axel and Blaze's Martial Art Styles
Axel's "Martial Arts"
In the tradition of Karate, Kung Fu, and kick boxing, Axel is very skilled in Martial Arts in general. While not the most jumpy type in terms of diving kicks and such, his Fists are the real pride and joy for his combat style. With great power and technique, Axel has a very well balanced moveset involving, well, Punches, Kicks, Grappling and even this!!!
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| GRAND UPPER!!!! |
Yes, his iconic Grand Upper is a powerful uppercut that, despite not being jumpy, counters Jumpers with it's Range and Height. Very powerful and very badass :D!!!
Blaze Fielding's "Judo"
Blaze's Judo Style is actually unique in a sense that it not only has a greater emphasis on grappling and kicks over punches, but her jumps are also a scary factor to consider. You see, when Blaze jumps, she can utilize effective combos while in mid air, leaving a completely defenseless opponent getting clobbered by Blaze's Mid Air Strikes. That's pretty intimidating!!!
Of course, like Axel, Blaze has her own iconic ability known as Hishousouzan, which allows Blaze to leap into the air and deliver a downward, blade like strike that can knock down foes. It is also able to impact opponents lying down.
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| Blaze using a Combo with Hishousouzan |
Special Abilities
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| Axel's Dragon Wing and Blaze's Embukyaku |
While Axel and Blaze have their basic combos with a Special attack that can be used for extra damage, what really amps up their already amazing moveset are their "Special Abilities".
While Grand Upper and Hishousouzan are considered "Blitz Attacks", they are actually missing one crucial mechanic in that they do not drain part of Axel and Blaze's life bars whenever they are used.
This section will cover the more power Special Abilities. Here is the Rundown :D!!!!
Axel Stone
Blitz Attacks (Non draining Attacks)
- Tiger Knee: the alternate Blitz attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Axel. He performs a short leap and hit his opponent with his knees, one at time. Shares the animation with the final hit of his forward pummel. Faster than Grand Upper, but deals significant less damage. This move is inspired by Sagat's Tiger Knee from the Street Fighter series.
- Scissors Kicks: the alternate Blitz attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 3 Axel. He performs a jumping kick, crossing his legs while facing down, slamming opponents down. This attack is notable as a second hit can be performed by repeating the input.
- Dragon Roll: the alternate Blitz attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 4 Axel. He performs a rolling attack while enveloped by flames. This move is very fast and can be used repeatedly, in addition from being able to hit enemies that are already down on the ground; it is possible to juggle enemies infinitely.
Defensive Special Attacks
- Dragon Wing: Axel swings his fist in a circular motion, knocking down surrounding enemies. Covers a large radius around Axel, being great when surrounded by opponents.
- Tornado Kick: the alternate Defensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Axel. He performs a hurricane kick, similar to Ryu and Ken's Tatsumaki Senpu Kyaku from the Street Fighter series. Faster than Dragon Wing, but slightly weaker and cover less radius.
- Spinning Body Blow: the alternate Defensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 3 Axel. He performs a spinning attack with his fist, striking opponents multiple times, and knocking them away in the last hit.
- Dragon Upper: the alternate Defensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 4 Axel. He performs a rising punch upwards that launches enemies away, similar to Ryu and Ken's Shoryuken from the Street Fighter series.
Offensive Special Attacks
- Dragon Smash: Axel pulls off a quick barrage of punches followed by an uppercut. In all games it appears this is often one of the most powerful Special Attacks in the game.
- Dragon Dash Blow: the alternate Offensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Axel. He performs a quick low punch, sliding through the ground and knocking enemies away. Quick, but very weak.
- Dragon Punch: the alternate Offensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 3 Axel. He performs a rising punch forward and upwards that launches enemies away, similar to Ryu and Ken's Shoryuken from the Street Fighter series.
- Dragon Bite: the alternate Offensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 4 Axel. He performs a dashing punch that summons a dragon of fire.
Air Special Attack
- Dragon Dive: Axel's default air special attack in Streets of Rage 4. He descends with a rolling attack and finishes with a dashing punch that summons a dragon of fire.
- Dragon Crush: the alternate Air Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4. Axel will descend and punch the ground, knocking enemies away. Axel can steet slightly to the sides while descending.
Star Moves
- Grand Dragon Wing: Streets of Rage 2 Axel's Star Move featured in Streets of Rage 4, where he performs his Dragon Wing multiple times, hitting all enemies in its path, finishing with a Grand Upper.
- Spinning Dragon Upper: the alternate Star Move unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Axel. He performs a jumping uppercut, spinning multiple times through the air. This move is inspired by Ken's Shinryuken from the Street Fighter series, although without fire effects.
- Spinning Body Smash: Streets of Rage 3 Axel's Star Move featured in Streets of Rage 4, where He performs a spinning attack with his fist, striking opponents multiple times, and finishing it with a rising uppercut.
- Spirit Blade: the alternate Star Move unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 3 Axel. He conjures a blade of energy and launches a energy wave that goes through the whole screen.
- Dragon Burst: Streets of Rage 4 Axel's Star Move, where he envelops himself in flames and launches a tornado of fire.
- Ultimate Dragon Wing: Streets of Rage 4 Axel's alternate Star Move, where he performs a more powerful version of Dragon Wing that launches a short range flame dragon at the end.
Blaze Fielding
Blitz Attacks (Non Draining Attacks)
- Elbow Strike: the alternate Blitz attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Blaze. She performs a quick dash with elbow, knocking enemies away.
- Chou Reppa Dan: the alternate Blitz attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 3 Blaze. She rolls on the ground and does a jumping kick attack.
- Rekkaken: the alternate Blitz attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 4 Blaze. She briefly channels energy on her fist and unleashes a punch that hits opponents multiple times.
Defensive Special Attacks
- Embukyaku: Blaze perfoms a cartwheel kick which knocks down surrounding enemies.
- Spinning Dive: the alternate Defensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Blaze. She jumps in place and perfoms a spinning attack similar to her Hishousouzan.
- Energy Burst: the alternate Defensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 3 Blaze. She causes a shockwave of energy around her, knocking enemies away.
- Uraken Unchi: the alternate Defensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 4 Blaze. She quickly punches forward and then backwards, with her fists imbued by energy.
Offensive Special Attacks
- Kikou Shou: Blaze projects a powerful short-range burst of energy which gets stronger (and more hits in) the closer the enemies are to the attack.
- Arial Grab: the alternate Offensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Blaze. She jumps and performs an aerial version of Embukyaku, spinning multiple times.
- Spirit Knife: the alternate Offensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 3 Blaze. She performs an uppercut attack with an energy blade.
- Hien Zan: the alternate Offensive Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 4 Blaze. She performs Embukyaku upwards two times; this move can be chained with her Air Specials.
Air Special Attack
- Tobi Kyaku: Blaze's default air special attack in Streets of Rage 4. She performs a flying kick which propels her forward, which can be linked twice if the first hit connects. On the second hit, the player can tilt the analog stick to kick make her kick in the opposite direction.
- Shin Hishousouzan: the alternate Air Special Attack unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4. Basically an aerial version of her Hishousouzan.
Star Moves
- Tumbling: Streets of Rage 2 Blaze's Star Move featured in Streets of Rage 4, where she performs her Embukyaku multiple times through the ground, hitting all enemies in its path.
- Ring of Fire: the alternate Star Move unlockable in the DLC for Streets of Rage 4, and exclusive to Streets of Rage 2 Blaze. She will perform a sweep kick which will erupt pillars of flame around her.
- Razor Sliding Tackle: Streets of Rage 3 Blaze's Star Move featured in Streets of Rage 4, where she performs a somersault attack, and proceeds to slide through the ground with a low kick, hitting all enemies in its path.
- Slice and Dice: She summons a pair of energy blades and unleash a flurry of attacks on the first enemy hit.
- Tamashi Age: Streets of Rage 4 Blaze's Star Move, where she channels her energy, forming a flower pattern behind her, which explodes, launching opponents upwards.
- Shin Kikou Shou: Streets of Rage 4 Blaze's alternate Star Move, where she performs Kikou Shou three times in succession, with the final hit covering significantly more range.
Weapons
In Streets of Rage, Weapons are everywhere. Ranging from Baseball bats, Knives, Steel Pipes, Broken Beer Bottles, Swords, Fish (Yes, there are multiple fish used as weapons), The Buster Sword from Final Fantasy, Bowling Balls, Lightsabers, pretty much anything you can think of, you got it XD!!!!
What is interesting though, Axel and Blaze never used Firearms and thus, they are the only type of weapons that they never used at all. They have used Grenades though, so that's close enough XD!!!!
Skill Wise, Both Axel and Blaze are very proficient with Weapons, though it is noted that Blaze has more Combos with Knives than Axel, who has better Strength with everything else. But of course, they can even throw these weapons to become long ranged projectiles. Ahhhh, A nice Alternative to Firearms after all :D!!!!
The Ultimate Ability!!!!!!
But all that considered, we now go into one of Streets of Rage's most iconic Super Ability of them all :D!!!!
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| Dead or Alive..... Nahhh, Your ain't Coming with us XD!!! |
Yes, one of the most hilarious abilities of all time, Axel and Blaze can call a Police Car to dish out a RPG that unleashes a blast that, like Tyris Flare's Fire Magic from Golden Axe, never misses anyone in the vicinity. Which is hilariously interesting since neither Axel nor Blaze are actually affected by these blasts..... Friendly Fire is a thing I guess hahaha
Physical Stats
In terms of Physical Stats, this is why I decided to put Axel and Blaze in the same Rundown...... They all have equal levels of Strength, Speed and Durability. Though, as I will get into later, there are key factors that make them more unique from one another. Still, here is the General Rundown for both Axel and Blaze for Physical Capabilities
Strength
- Can pretty much clean house an entire group of cronies with their combos. Ranging from 2-18 at once..... Yes, Axel and Blaze are able to uppercut a total of 18 people at once................. That is pretty much Superhuman Level in every sense of the word
- Can destroy a Car
- Both can lift Anry, Bongo and Goro, who weight around 400-600 pounds. While Blaze couldn't do this in SOR 1 and 3, her Strength gradually improved overtime and can now lift these guys with no trouble :D!!!!!!
- Can break through Mr and Ms Y's Spider Mech, which is made out of Titanium and Stronger Steel.
- Break through Walls and Electrical Shields wielded by Cops
- Can punch and kick with such force, they can move a Wrecking Ball, which can deliver over 60 tons worth of force when at full swing.
- Can break through Metal Boxes and Crates
- Can destroy Arcade Machines
Speed
- Able to dodge Lightning in Mr X's Nightmare
- Avoid Energy Blasts from DJ K Washi
- Can dodge and completely walk around Gunfire
- Can jump over Mr Y's Rockets
- Able to jump over Ms Y's Rapier Dash Strikes, which are around Mach 2 range
- Using Mr X's Nightmare feats, Both Axel and Blaze can scale to their own selves in boss battles, which can simply achieve all the feats above, even fight against characters like Cherry and Skate, who are generally quicker than both of them. Cherry is able to dash across with speeds that are almost 40% faster than both Axel and Blaze's own yet surprisingly, Axel and Blaze can beat Cherry multiple times.
- Can avoid Tomb Traps in Mr X's Nightmare.
- Dodge Mr X's Thompson Gunfire
Durability
- Survived Grenade blasts point blank
- Taken multiple bladed strikes from Ninjas, a Samurai and even A bladed Boomerang
- Took a full body slam from Abadede and Anry, who weigh over 400-600 pounds respectively
- Like Strength, Axel and Blaze had a moment with Wrecking Balls. Again, they took a force that can generate 60 tons worth of damage output.
- Mentioned earlier, they can take attacks from themselves in Mr X's Nightmare, but, notably, Floyd and Max, two of the heavier hitters, are able to crush their opponents with Brute Force and Surprising Power. Max in particular can lift Anry and Abadede in the air while grappling them. It is worth noting that Floyd can also produce a powerful Beam Blast with his Cybernetics that is Hotter than the Sun. Axel and Blaze can beat these guys........ That's just legendary!!!!!
- Took Rockets from Mr Y
- Able to survive gunfire, which actually do not really become fatal to both Axel and Blaze compared to bladed attacks. Yes, in Streets of Rage, Knives are alot more dangerous than Firearms XD!!!!
- Able to survive Magma from a Volcano in Mr X's Nightmare.
- Fell off an exploding train and took only a couple of bruises
- Took blows from the Spider Mech controlled by Mr and Ms Y
Feats and Accomplishments for Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding
Being the Two most iconic characters of Streets of Rage, appearing in all games, Axel and Blaze have actually achieved a significant amount of Feats. Here is a list of Accomplishments for the Two Heroes
- Has officially, and cleanly, defeated Mr X like it's Tuesday at this point XD!!!
- Defeated Mr and Ms Y, who are twins, but are far more charismatic and less idiotic than those stupid Calypso Twins from Borderlands 3. Ugh XD!!!
- Defeated the bosses in the Streets of Rage who are.
- Nora the Dominatrix
- Barbon
- Abadede
- DJ Washi
- Rocky Bear
- Shiva
- Estel
- Possessed Max
- Roo
- Onihime and Yasha
- The Commissioner
- Bongo
- Break
- Diva
- Souther
- Hara-Kiri
- Yamato
- Zamza
- Mr and Ms Y
- And of Course, Mr X...... Even his "Robot Form" XD!!!!
- Are able to save Wood Oak City Four Times
- Saved the President
- Rescued Adam Hunter........ The Princess Peach of Streets of Rage
- Axel and Blaze are simply Legendary Characters. Blaze in particular is, believe it or not, my favorite video game character while Axel is definitely one of my Favorite Guys in Video Games :D!!!!!
- Streets of Rage...... My all time favorite video game series.... Bar none :D!!!!
- The Soundtrack of Streets of Rage is also, my favorite Video Game Soundtrack :D!!!!!
- Well, everything about Streets of Rage is Legendary.
There is also the issue of Ranged combat. While both Axel and Blaze can unleash powerful Ultimates for Range, They are mainly close quarters fighters and while Weapons do give them more reach and throwing them classes as Long Ranged, Weapons are finite and can break down if used too much. So really, Axel and Blaze mainly rely on their Fists and kicks for proper combat.
Still, it goes without saying that Axel and Blaze are powerful and badass fighters :D!!!!! Let the Streets fill with Rage!!!!!!
Summary
Axel Stone
Advantages
- Packs more Power Behind his Attacks
- Is Slightly more Durable
- Dragon Wing can help Axel counter Blaze's Hishousouzan and other Jump attacks
- Has more powerful Grapples
- Is Slower than Blaze
- Is Slightly less Skilled
- Has less Defensive Options compared to Blaze
- Is not as proficient with Knives as Blaze, who can actually chain combos with them while Axel just pokes the Knife infront of him
- Is far worse in terms of Jumping
- Doesn't have as much Juggling techniques in the air compared to Blaze
- Greater Speed
- More Technique and Skill
- More Defensive Abilities
- More Proficient with Knives
- Far better jumping techniques that can be chained into combos
- More Juggling Combo Techniques
- Is less Powerful Physically
- Slightly outmatched in terms of Durability
- While Blaze has her Hishousouzan, Axel's Dragon Wing is the perfect counter to her signature move, if he times it right
- Less Powerful Grapples
The Verdict
In what has to be the most evenly matched battle yet, Axel vs Blaze is basically, a Stalemate.
Neither Axel nor Blaze actually truly outclass each other despite their own advantages. Both have fought foes who have superior stats to them and yet they still come out on top. Both can wield Weapons and both can throw Weapons, both can achieve identical physical feats and both can deliver combos for amazing and bone crushing results.
While Blaze can use Knives more effectively than Axel since she can chain combos with them, Axel has fought foes who also do the same technique. Axel may be more Durable but Blaze has fought foes more Durable than her and Still prevailed. Really. this is actually looking like it is a solid tie.......... And, unfortunately, I found a winner.
Who wins? Well, for starters, we have Axel and his Power vs Blaze and her Technique and Jumps. While both are certainly capable of winning in many scenarios, I believe that Blaze is the winner.
Now, the reason I say it is because while Axel does indeed generate more power and is slightly more Durable than Blaze, here is what actually makes it lean towards Blaze. She has Far better Speed and Jumps, She is only slightly outmatched in Durability but not by much, has more Technique and more Juggling Combos and of course, the most important factor in this fight Defensive Skills
Infact, Blaze's Tamashi Age literally protects her from all matter of Harm for a moment, but, it also sends her enemies into the air for more combo openings. Now, Axel's Dragon Burst is facing one direction and can open up combos, but Blaze? Tamashi Age literally is a Shield that hits everyone around her. So really, One Direction vs All Directions. Who is more likely gonna be more reliable against attacks from multiple angles? Yeah, that's a big difference.
Axel does coat himself with Fire with Dragon Burst, but it is more of a Cinematic Effect than anything else. His Fire Tornado has more Range, But again, it doesn't really matter if Blaze simply triggered Tamashi Age at the same time, which breaks the deadlock and forces Axel into the air, leaving him vulnerable to a combo by Blaze....... Yeah, I think this one ability is going to give Blaze the win.
Eventually, while this is a stalemate since both Axel and Blaze can win with very close numbers, Blaze get my vote for having more Speed, Technique, Skill, Tamashi Age, Jumps and Equal Levels of Feats and Physical Stats
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| The Winner is Blaze Fielding |
Next Time on Who Would Win..........
Vs..........
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| Gordon Freeman (Half Life) vs Isaac Clarke (Dead Space) |
