Im playing through NG Sigma 2, and I'm floored by the amount of weapons and the through combo system, and just as impressive the agility of the characters. However, there's an aspect to the combat that leaves me desiring more- the lack of circular combat/strafing and perhaps a freestyle attack system.

No matter how many cool weapons and combos included (which I feel is the best we've seen in an action game thus far) the game can't be anyting but a 2D 'combo fest' without the ability to move around your opponents. You really can't compete or fight be it in a game or otherwise if all you can do is block and then aim to come back at the opponent with more strikes than they threw at you (with success depending wholly on hoping they opponent doesn't block as well or as long as you can).

i don't get what you mean by circular combat/strafing. Although for the freestyle attack system, do you mean something like realtime weapon switching like Devil May Cry or dynamic combat like Bayonetta?

And you can move around your opponents by using Wind Run/Wind Path. It's when Ryu jumps on the enemies head and they fall staggered. I love that move

I recently tried Batman Arkham Asylum, the combat system is exactly the same as Prince of Persia but much better. I love the combat man, so realistic!

I may be incorrect but i think by circular combat/shafting he may be referring to the use of real time countering. Like if an enemy about to attack you you press a button to completely turn and dodge while attacking him in a vulnerably position. I don't exactly have an example(video wise) but it could be it. It brings a deeper combat dimension than what NGS1 and NGS2 brings with the blocking, attacking and similar style combat like DMC and God of War.

If I'm incorrect I do apologize, I just thought it could be what you were hinting at.

so from your analogy. it works like Batman Arkham Asylum game battle mechanic

Also the same explanation is similar to my own Reverse Guarding but without the teleporting part.

I was thinking of Batman: Arkham Asylum mechanics but that game feels different than what he may be suggesting. Probably wrong though