Goro, also known as Karate, is an enemy introduced in Streets of Rage 4. He's a master martial artist who was corrupted by the new Y Syndicate.
Overview[]
Goro is a stout and bald karateka wearing a white gi with a black belt. He first appears as a mini boss in the Stage 6, and is later found on Stage 9. Much like other "elite" enemies, if knocked down, he'll always get up with super-armor.
He rarely attacks the player directly, often fighting defensively. If he stands with both arms wide open in front of him, any direct attack will cause Goro to launch a powerful dashing strike counter-attack that deals heavy damage launches the player far away.
When attacking the player directly, Goro will always assume a stance before launching an attack, signalized by backing off with one of his arms on a vertical position; if the player is within range, he'll unleash a dashing strike that covers high range.
Compared to other enemies, he can quickly escape grapples. If the player throws a weapon, he will deflect it.
He is formidable when tagged with Raven, as they both can deflect attacks and cover each other weaknesses.
Variants[]
Goro has three variants, each having increased health and some differences:
- Dokuja, wearing a red gi, will use a flurry of punches followed by a dashing strike, for both his normal attack and counters.
- Tatsu, wearing the black gi, only appears in Mania+ and Survival Mode. He also uses a flurry of punches like Dokuja, but will do it twice before finishing with a dashing strike, dealing significant more damage. However, he doesn't use counter attacks. He also moves significantly faster than Goro and Dokuja, while also being more aggressive.
- Tora, wearing a yellow gi, only appears in Mania+ and Survival Mode. He is actually weaker than other Goro variants in terms of raw power; he doesn't use counters, and his dashing strike attack covers less range and deals less damage. He is, however, moves much faster than any other variant and will often quickly circle the player waiting for a chance to strike, being the most aggressive variant.
Move List[]
- Dashing Strike: used by Goro and Tora. He takes a stance with his arm lifted, and does a quick punch forward that travels far and launches the opponent far away. Tora's punch travels less. He'll not use it if the player moves away from its range while readying the attack.
- Hundred Fists: used by Dokuja and Tatsu. He takes a stance with his arm lifted, and proceeds to unleash various punches, finishing with dashing strike. Tatsu's version does the flurry of punches twice by moving behind the player after using it a first time. Once readying the attack, he'll move quickly towards the player to deliver the punches.
- Counter Attack: used by Goro and Dokuja. He takes a stance with both arms spread. If the player attacks him directly with melee attacks, he'll use a counter attack (Dashing Strike if Goro, Hundred Fists if Dokuja).
- Parry: while not readying an attack, he'll deflect any weapon thrown at him (instantely destroying the weapon). Doesn't work against certain throwables (such as grenades).
Strategy[]
Against Goro and Dokuja, agressive engages are dangerous because of their defensive playstyle, as they'll use the counter stance often, quickly retaliating any direct approach. The most effective way to defeat them is by strafing up and down to get out of their reach, then quickly grab and throw them (if taking too long they'll break out of it). Alternatively, they player can bait their counter stance and attack after they lower their hands; they are briefly vulnerable right after that.
Against Tatsu and Tora, who don't use counters, the player can be more offensive. Care should be taken, however, as they move much faster than the other variations (especially Tora), and will often circle the player to avoid being attacked.
During the elevator at the Stage 9, if the windows are broken, the player can take advantage of their ability to break out of grabs. By grabbing them near the edges, they'll hop out and fall to their death (this doesn't award any points, however).
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Shared with Assassin Agents, Big Ben, Koobo, and the Commissioner, Goros are considered heavyweights.
- Goro's design and moves are reminiscent of both Ryo Sakazaki and Takuma Sakazaki from the Art of Fighting and King of Fighters series.
- He only has one palette swap, Dokuja, making him an enemy with the least palette swaps in game, alongside Koobo.
- Dokuja's main attack resembles E. Honda's Hundred Hand Slap from Street Fighter and Ryo's Zanretsuken from Art of Fighting.
- "Dokuja" is an anagram of "judoka", the official name for a practitioner of judo.
- In early concept arts, Goro was originally going to be a Super Sentai inspired character.
- In the mobile port of Streets of Rage 4, a new Goro variant, called "Tanchou" can be encountered in the Survival Mode.