Greetings all Tekkenzaibatsu member, fellow players and guests,
As of July 16th 2017 during the Tekken 7 fighting game tournament in EVO2017, one of the biggest villains of the Fatal Fury (and King of Fighters) series made his way into the Tekken 7 video game.
A brief history lesson on Geese Howard:
Geese Howard is the main antagonist of the Fatal Fury series. From a certain point of view, he is the one character who started the whole "extremely difficult boss character" subject in fighting games. This is also known as the SNK Boss Syndrome where boss are significantly stronger than any character the player is utilizing at the time. Many noteworthy fighting games followed through with this sort of design.
In terms of story, Geese grew up in the infamous Southtown as a poor child living with his mother whom would eventually die of malnutrition despite his efforts in trying to help her. He would try to track his father down (whose name was Rudolph Krauser Von Stroheim) to kill him for what happened to his mother. However, Geese had a half-brother known as Wolfgang Krauser. Krauser defeated Geese while he was still young.
Geese apparently tried to practice a religion after the fact but he eventually gave into his rage at his loss so he begins trying to gain power. Monetary power and... physical power. This is where his ascension to such powers begins. Southtown is a place known for having a large group of insane martial artists. Geese had to learn how to fight in order to defend himself. And, eventually own the town.
He goes to a school to learn martial arts. He learned from many martial artists in the past, though he specifically practiced under the Hakkyokuseiken from Tung Fu Re (whom is playable on KOFXIV as of now). Geese's fighting style would be centered around Aikido, though he wished for more strike-based moves, hence why he studied from other types of martial artists as well to emphasize of such abilities. Geese had an extreme talent for martial arts. Too extreme. To the point where he would eventually be comparable to that of a demon. A monster. While he trains in his martial arts, he starts trying to make something out of himself in the crime world, doing little jobs here and there for the local crime boss in Southtown. Tung Fu Re eventually caught on to this and refused to teach him the secret arts of his fighting style, giving them to Jeff Bogard, the adoptive father of Geese's future arch-nemesis Terry Bogard, as well as Andy Bogard. This did not sit well with Geese at all. Shortly afterward, he leaves the school of martial arts, to build up his fighting abilities and his criminal operations to even further heights.
Mr. Big. Another noteworthy boss from the AOF series and now a former kingpin of Southtown was taken down by Geese Howard. Geese would then use his monetary legacy to construct the Geese Tower and then create a company known as the Howard Connection. On the surface, it simply poses as a benevolent organization designed to make Southtown a better place. In reality, it has ties with the mafia and several other criminal organizations. The criminal activities are specifically highlighted for protection rackets, periodically dealing arms, and political corruption. Geese would own Southtown.
He manipulates certain events such as the story driven in the AOF series. He chronologically shows up in AOF2 where Ryo would fight him for the first time. His main purpose at this time was to increase his influence in Southtown and defend his turf against other criminal groups, while also posing as a police commissioner (how a 20-something year old Geese Howard can be a police commissioner is beyond me, considering the regulations and standards one has to go by in order to achieve that position under normal circumstance). In the events of Fatal Fury, he organizes the King of Fighters tournament (which later became a brand of its own obviously with other character periodically taking control of the tournament).
One fateful day, Jeff Bogard would pose a legitimate threat to his operations. Geese proceeds to kill Jeff Bogard (or in some sources, set Jeff Bogard up to be killed by Mr. Karate somehow). Geese kills Jeff in combat, with very little effort, further emphasizing on the amount of strength that Geese has gained over the years. Terry and Andy would witness the murder of their adoptive father. This is the point where Terry would swear vengeance against Geese.
Many years pass. In the events of FF, Geese assigns Billy Kane (another mid-boss) as its champion. The tournament would be used for helping Geese add more strong fighters into his group or to snuff out potential threats, trapping them so to speak. However, Terry shows up and begins making waves in the tournament, winning match after match. Eventually, Terry defeats Billy Kane alongside his battle buddies, Joe and Andy. Reportedly, Andy tried to defeat Geese Howard, on for the latter to brutally beat Andy to a pulp, despite his best effort. Terry then shows up at the Geese Toward for a fateful battle. Once again, Geese Howard puts Terry at a disadvantage, practically killing Terry. However... something was bothering Geese. Geese shut Terry down multiple times in their match but he still kept getting back up. It turns out that Terry actually enjoyed fighting. A good brawl. Geese is eventually caught off guard and is sent flying down from his tower by a jumping kick.
Geese was assumed dead. He is absent in the events of FF2. But, by FF2 (and KOF96), Geese is actually alive and he is apparently going to become a recurring villain, proceeding to haunt Terry and his friends anyway he can in both the FF2 series and in the KOF series. Geese manages to build up his strength to further heights, learning more lethal techniques along the way. He reappears in many titles such as Fatal Fury 3, Fatal Fury Special, and in the KOF series (often in Dream Matches). Strangely, the only canonical KOF games where he has been playable was in KOF96 and (very recently) in KOFXIV. In Fatal Fury Special, Geese hears about the Jin Scrolls which would grant immortality. He searches for them and he eventually gets a hold of them in the game, defeating a series of individuals who got in his way. Upon doing so, he announces the King of Fighters tournament once again in order to draw out Terry. They both fight again in the Geese Tower. This time despite nearly killing Terry and having advantage over him, he still loses due to his own wounds overcoming him during their face off. Geese was about to fall off after being overwhelmed by Terry's Power Geyser. Terry catches Geese's hand. Geese simply smiles and lets go, presumably killing himself and personally scarring Terry's morality (Terry is not thrilled with the idea of outright killing individuals. He simply loves to fight). Geese assumed dead in the Fatal Fury series. In the KOF series, he is alive and he becomes a recurring villain throughout the series and is usually manipulating events in the background if he is not fighting.
Personality-wise, Geese is a self-made man who puts value on power and his fighting capabilities. While he is arrogant, nowadays he usually does not underestimate his opponents, especially after his first encounter with Terry. Much like Gouki, he carries a code of honor and there are some lines that he will simply not cross. He also seems to have a thing for the Japanese culture. He appears to be rather distant from his own family, earning the ire of his son Rock Howard. Interesting, compared to Heihachi, Geese is guilty of negligence rather than outright abuse. He still retains some degree of respect for his former master Tung. Geese's purpose is to retain his power and then spread his influence across Southtown. He also intends on usurping whatever power he can get his hands on in order to build up his image and his strength. He puts a lot of time and effort in his personal training, even going as far as to multiple lightning (and recently, giant tornado-like ki blasts from his Raging Storm, based on KOFXIV) and perform other amazing feats.
And to clear up any confusion before I get around to the Tekken 7 game play parts of the Geese Howard discussion:
The AOF series happens before the FF series. This is well known.
The "King of Fighters" goes by 'comic-book' time which means the "AOF and FF" time in THAT continuity happened recently and took place in a much shorter period of time. This is not according to me. This is how SNK has been doing things. In the AOF and Fatal Fury continuity, Geese is actually dead.
In the KOF timeline, Geese is alive (in Maximum Impact series, he is dead again and that is a different continuity by itself). As of now Geese is either periodically entering tournaments to intimidate/kill his enemies and take whatever power that he can get his hands on (though, he also tends to enter tournaments out of curiosity of certain subjects, such as the Orochi power. He grew disinterested in it because of what it did to Iori Yagami and a handful of other characters). In KOFXIV, Geese is busy trying to figure out the meaning behind the scrolls he had gotten from much earlier in the series and hopefully rematch against Terry and his other enemies.
Tekken 7.
Geese is a character known for his absurd boss character status, his lethal fighting abilities involving the use of counter attacks and nasty striking moves, his "Engrish", and his general charismatic behavior in his own series.
What we have seen:
Geese shows up at Heihachi's temple and proceeds to ridicule him about his conquest for power. Heihachi does not take this very well and proceeds to challenge Geese. Geese simply further taunts him as he reveals himself...
0:58 = Geese's 2D from KOF. Rightfully, he cancel it into 236+A (The A version of his Repuuken).
Though, Geese's 2D is normally a sweep that is whiff cancellable. This time it seems to cause a regular hit stun state.
1:00 = Geese has a jumping mechanic. This also means he can access Shippuken. Shippuken still propels him back on use. This can be rendered unsafe. In some games, Geese simply travels down after using Shippuken.
1:04 = Geese's 1 grab is his frontal throw from KOFXIV.
1:05 = Geese used his jumping C on Devil Jin and then performed juggle from what looks like his stand C from KOF and his 6B (one of my favorite moves).
Double Repuuken may not combo from certain distances.
1:17: Geese has his Fudo-Ken from KOFXIV, which is relatively new move.
Let me explain this: A Fudo-Ken in KOF is just Geese performing a palm strike.
The C version (or heavy-punch version) will have slightly slower start but with better range and damage will also have three possible follow ups which are either a double palm strike, an overhead stomping move or a nasty sweep. All of these are designed to be used to finish combos. None of the follow ups are safe on block in KOF, so they are more than likely not to be safe in Tekken either.
1:25 = Geese has his OTG throw. Immediately, after that he does his back throw from KOF against Shaheen.
And, of course... he has his counters.
1:51 = AND, HE HAS JEAI KEN. I miss that move so much! That was my favorite combo ender from KOF98UM. Apparently causes wall splat + wall break.
Geese's roundhouse kick (which is his standing D from KOF) has S! properties.
Geese has his 6A, his overhead spread-eagle attack, which cancels into his Fudo-Ken (his 214+C, 6+P]:
Has Max Mode, which is a mechanic that belongs to KOF. This gives him access to EX moves. The Max Mode apparently works that same as it did in KOFXIV.
Jaei Ken has armored properties.
Geese's roundhouse may cause S! on CH.
Geese can also "Max Cancel" just 2:11 like he can on the KOF games, canceling a normal into Max Mode which should trigger his forward dash automatically for the player to continue his combo from a normal.
2:18 - Geese's Rage Art is based on one of his moves from Real Bout and from KOF98UM in his EX version. Strangely, this seems to be "hit" move rather than a command grab. Because in KOF98UM, it was a command grab.
This is all the information we have so far.
The purpose of this thread discussion is for curious players to speak on Geese's potential and post gameplay information on the said character here. Please, enjoy yourselves.