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Street Fighter 6 review

July 29, 2023

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Here comes a new challenger! The next entry in the iconic Street Fighter franchise, which has sold more than 47 million units since its debut 35 years ago, is here! Street Fighter 6 is the next evolution of the Street Fighter series includes innovative new gameplay features, plus enhanced visuals for every aspect of the game.

Street Fighter 6 promises to offer numerous ways to enjoy the game, appealing to both new and longtime fans. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PC, let’s take a look at how Street Fighter 6 stacks up!

Street Fighter 6 Details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PC
Reviewed on: Xbox Series X
Developer(s): Capcom
Publisher(s): Capcom
Genre: Fighting
Mode(s): Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Unique fighting game innovations and fan favourite features return

Street Fighter 6 comes with a total of 18 unique characters, featuring both legendary World Warriors and fresh, new additions. Iconic World Warriors like Ryu and Chun-Li, the latest addition from Street Fighter V called Luke, and an expert breakdancer named Jamie are just some of the characters included. The familiar Classic Control Type returns in Street Fighter 6, and there is a new control option called Modern Control Type. With the Modern Control Type, you can quickly get involved in the action using simplified inputs. Performing special moves is easier in this mode as you only need to press one button along with a direction.

On the flip side, Capcom has included Dynamic Controls. These add a captivating touch to the battles by allowing you to execute impressive moves with just a single button press. During my World Tour experience, I mostly used the Modern Controls, but when I played in Fighting Ground and online modes, I switched back to the classic layout. There are some slight trade-offs with the Modern Controls, like a small timing difference and less freedom for complex combos. However, these new control options provide an excellent starting point for newcomers to get into Street Fighter 6 without sacrificing the depth and complexity that long-time fans enjoy.

Furthermore, the game has a Real Time Commentary Feature, which includes the voices of well-known Fighting Game Community (FGC) commentators such as Jeremy “Vicious” Lopez and Ryutaro “Aru” Noda. They will directly provide commentary while matches are taking place, offering clear explanations of the gameplay. This feature also supports subtitles in 13 languages, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

Core gameplay mechanics

The most crucial aspect of any fighting game is how the combat feels. This is especially important for a well-known franchise like Street Fighter, where it must stay true to its original while also bringing something new and exciting. Finding this balance is not easy, but I am happy to say that Capcom managed to do it perfectly. Street Fighter 6 maintains the classic fighting mechanics that make the series iconic, while also introducing fresh features that appeal to both seasoned players and newcomers.

The biggest gameplay addition to Street Fighter 6, in my opinion, is the Drive System. It’s a new gauge that enhances your offensive and defensive abilities. This system enables the execution of five distinct techniques: Drive Impact, Drive Parry, Overdrive Art, Drive Rush, and Drive Reversal.

More game modes than you can shake a stick at

Many people complained when Street Fighter V first launched that it didn’t have enough content. This is not the case with Street Fighter 6. The game offers numerous well-designed game modes, a diverse selection of fighters, and additional features right from the start. With three main modes—Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub—Street Fighter 6 provides an exciting and varied fighting experience to suit different player preferences.

Fighting Ground

The Fighting Ground mode in Street Fighter 6 will make long-time Street Fighter players feel right at home. It brings together the essential fighting experience that fans, like myself, have loved in previous games. This mode includes classic features like Arcade Mode, where you can play solo and fight against computer-controlled opponents while experiencing each character’s unique story. As you complete Arcade Mode with different fighters, you’ll unlock illustrations in the Gallery and have your scores uploaded to online leaderboards.

Additionally, there’s an exciting “Extreme Battle mode” that adds a twist to regular matches with unconventional rules and gimmicks. For example, a rampaging bull may disrupt the fight unexpectedly, and classic car destruction stages also make their return. It adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge to the gameplay.

World Tour

If you’re looking for an engaging single-player story, World Tour has you covered. This mode offers an innovative experience by combining a story mode with RPG elements, all set within the Street Fighter universe. One remarkable feature of this mode is the extensive character customization. Capcom really went to great detail and gives you a lot of options to make your character exactly how you want it.

Your journey begins in Metro City, an iconic location from Final Fight, and takes you to various places around the world. During your journey, you can become an apprentice to legendary Street Fighter masters, learning their Special Moves. And, throughout this mode, you have the opportunity to personalize your character with a wide variety of abilities that you obtain from different Masters.

The fun in World Tour lies in leveling up, customizing, and experimenting with your character’s move set. To be honest, the story is really lacking and the visuals could have been improved. That being said, the overall experience is quite enjoyable.

Battle Hub

If you’re looking to connect with other Street Fighter 6 players from around the world, the Battle Hub is the place for you. I’m glad to say that the net code, which handles online connections, works really well, which is crucial for fighting games. In the Battle Hub, you have the option to join Ranked, Casual, or Extreme Battle cabinets to face off against other online fighters. In my experience, the online connection was consistently good across all modes, and I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of unexpected content available in the hub.

The Game Center is an exciting feature that offers a rotating selection of classic arcade games from Capcom. This really adds a fun touch to the overall experience. Additionally, there’s a shop where you can purchase items to customize your fighter, and an Event Counter that lets you join tournaments for even more thrilling challenges. Capcom thought over everything!

Impressive visuals with exceptional performance

Street Fighter 6 sports some pretty impressive graphics and exceptional performance. It really takes the franchise’s visuals to new heights. Especially in core modes like Fighting Ground, the game looks jaw droppingly gorgeous! I played on Xbox Series X and the game runs smoothly, offering sharp and detailed character models and vibrant, dynamic backgrounds. However, I noticed that the visuals in World Tour mode were slightly less vibrant compared to other local play modes, although the performance remained solid throughout the game.

During combat, successfully pulling off combos results in splashes of vibrant colours, which is accompanied by a compelling soundtrack and robust sound effects that add to the overall satisfaction. Additionally, Street Fighter 6 has super fast loading times and seamless transitions between menus and matches. This really helps to keep you in the game and engaged. It’s clear that Capcom put a lot of effort into optimizing the game for the best experience.

Street Fighter 6 sets a new standard for fighting games that you shouldn’t miss

Street Fighter 6 comes out strong and hits the mark with every punch. With its well-designed modes, balanced roster, and engaging gameplay, it’s a must-have fighting game. It’s the most accessible, technically sound, and feature-packed game in the series so far. The only drawback is the World Tour mode, where both the graphics and gameplay could have been better.

However, aside from that, Street Fighter 6 offers a polished and satisfying experience that sets a new standard for fighting games. If you are a fan of fighting games and Street Fighter, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the world of Street Fighter 6 and enjoy the very best the series has to offer.

+ Easy to get into for beginners yet still offers a challenging experience for experienced players.
+ Variety of characters, with a combination of familiar classics and fresh newcomers
+ Innovative game modes offering varied gameplay experiences

– World Tour mode lacks in visuals and story depth