Finding fighting game resources that grow with you as a player is a rare feat.
By the time most fighting game players share their knowledge, their skill set is already on another planet compared to a beginner.
Beginners often need a list of fighting terminology just to translate what they’re being told.
Multi-fighting game champion, Perfect Legend, brings you into the fold of what you need to know and when you need to know it, in his book: Game Fu – Way of the Digital Fist.
It’s the perfect resource to grow with you as a budding fighting game enthusiast turned potential competitor…
That is… if you know how to use it.
The Credentials
I’m not going to list out Perfect Legend’s accolades here because there are plenty of sites that’ll do that for you.
What you need to know is his own personal fighting game journey has been from beginner to absolute world champion across multiple games.
He’s run the gamut and is able to talk through his experience as to what you should and can expect throughout your own fighting game journey.
Who is this Book Really for?
You know, it’s hard to say that this book is meant for the absolute beginner. After the first few sections you’re already being introduced to frame data which can be daunting to wrap your head around as to what that even means.
Perfect Legend does an excellent job explaining why frame data is important and what to do with the information, but he doesn’t exactly go over what frame data actually is – just the details around animation frames.
In fact, if you’re an absolute beginner and you’re reading this you may have no idea why this even matters! To that, I say…you could probably start with the Fighting Game Primer by Patrick Miller. It’s a free download I now host on this site since its original home is sadly no more.
So, what am I really saying here? Beginners shouldn’t read this book? No, not at all… In fact, my recommendation is 100% absolutely get this book.
There are just a few ideas that you may need some outside resources to understand.
But, even if you’re a true beginner, there’s actually a REALLY good way to use this book to its full potential.
So, who is this book for? Everyone. Literally… beginner, advanced, champions… It’s good stuff. No one is too good for formulating a game plan, instilling a proper mindset, and hearing another perspective.
Remember when I said this book, this resource, even GROWS with you, your progress, and your journey? It’s 100% true if you use it the right way.
The Right Way to Use a Book? What?!
I get it… We’re all taught books have a beginning, middle, end. And, once you reach that final page, you wipe your hands clean, because you did it…you finished the story.
That’s not exactly how personal development books are meant to be consumed.
In fact, most people that just read information beginning to end are more likely to NOT do anything with it. This can apply to how-to videos or self-help guides… I’m guilty of it… We all are.
Like I said, guides are meant to be followed, like going step by step through IKEA instructions.
Sure, you may read over all the instructions, but to get actual real progress, you have to start at step 1 so you can get to step 2.
That’s exactly how I believe this book should be approached. Read it. Read it all! 100%.
This will give you a very good overview of what to expect and get your mind swirling with ideas including thinking back upon your own gameplay.
Then go back to the beginning… read section 1… and practice section 1.
It doesn’t matter how experienced you are. Treat it as an exercise of discipline.
The idea here is to be INTENTIONAL with each section. You’re reading this book because you want to see progress, right?
Then be intentional with your practice and take each step, each section, seriously.
Every Section Describes an In-Game Situation
You want to talk about detailed? Perfect Legend has 74 sections describing all sorts of situations, issues, mindsets, and ideas to think, practice, and improve upon.
SEVENTY-FOUR! (75 if you count the shoutouts).
Of course he goes into the Basics and Muscle Memory. And, from there he goes over such situations as: Mental Stack, Overcoming the Scramble, Emotional Gameplay, and Maintaining the Presence of Mind.
I didn’t even scratch the surface of other situations he describes such as Stopping a Reckless Opponent… but, that’s exactly why you should be picking up this book.
Plus, in the short time I’ve owned the book, he’s already sent out an update and as a thank you for purchasing he’s also offered his time to play a set. Now, I don’t know if he’ll offer that for future purchases, but seriously… that’s unheard of!
Perfect Legend is definitely a giver with his knowledge and experience. Even in the short conversation I had with him he was dropping knowledge left and right.
In my head, I’m a constant white belt…eager to learn and filter in the good information.
And, that’s exactly why I’m writing this review…
The Verdict
My goal with FightRise is to provide you the absolute best resources I come across. My selfish goal is to level up and I want to bring you all with me.
That’s why I wholeheartedly recommend Perfect Legend’s book – Game Fu: Way of the Digital Fist.
You can read the book cover to cover the first time like I did.
But, if you take each section, one section at a time… read a section, practice a section with intention… there’s no way you won’t see rapid growth.
And, if you’re struggling, you can even reach out in Perfect Legend’s Discord. I’m sure he or many others would be willing to help you get past where you’re stuck.
All the info, including how to purchase the book (with plenty of testimonials) is here: https://perfectlegend.net/levelup/
The book is 100% worth the money as the actual value received from the knowledge in the book itself, to the upgrades and bonuses Perfect Legend offers, way exceeds what you’re paying.
And, to be clear, none of this is sponsored… I’m just a fan of great knowledge being shared especially for fighting games. Bonus for it being applicable to help improve your personal life too.
With Street Fighter 6 on the horizon this is the perfect resource to kickstart your growth.
If you picked up this book… I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Leave a comment below, hit me up on Discord, or connect with me on Twitter.