Capcom has been on an unstoppable winning streak, captivating players with recent hits like Devil May Cry 5, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Monster Hunter Rise. Thankfully, they haven’t let up with their latest addition to the legendary Street Fighter series: Street Fighter 6.
The fighting game genre has always been a niche realm, with a steep learning curve that generally deters newcomers. However, Street Fighter 6 aims to revolutionize the genre by offering an unexpectedly deep single-player campaign and unparalleled accessibility, inviting fighters from all walks of life to dip their toes into the world of combat. This game is the answer to the long-standing question of how to attract new players.
“World Tour guarantees over 25 hours of thrilling RPG joy.”
Street Fighter 6 boasts not one, not two, but three distinct game modes, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Of course, we have the classic versus modes, titled Fighting Ground, where you can face off against opponents online or challenge a friend locally. The second mode, Battle Hub serves as the online hub where experienced fighters will spend their time, engaging in casual fights, ranked matches, and official tournaments. It’s the ultimate destination for any Street Fighter 6 enthusiast.
Yet, what truly sets this game apart is its fully fleshed-out single-player experience, known as World Tour. In this mode, you embark on a journey to discover the true essence of strength, creating your own customizable character.
With 15 captivating chapters and 18 legendary masters from the official Street Fighter 6 roster, World Tour guarantees over 25 hours of thrilling RPG joy. As you encounter iconic characters like Chun-Li and Ryu, you’ll learn their signature moves and incorporate them into your own arsenal. From the bustling urban streets of Metro City to diverse global locations, each environment in World Tour captivates with its distinct colour palette and visual style.
World Tour is An Amazing Addition the Street Fighter 6
To put it in perspective, World Tour feels reminiscent of the Yakuza games. You explore semi-open world areas, engaging in brawls with citizens and thugs, while also taking on side quests and discovering hidden areas. Progression involves leveling up your character and decking them out in stylish gear that not only looks incredible but also provides stat bonuses and effects.
While the narrative in World Tour might not be the most groundbreaking, it serves as a solid backdrop for your journey. Plus, the best part is that you can take your custom avatar into the Battle Hub mode, showcasing the progress you’ve made in the single-player mode. It’s a thoughtful touch that adds depth and continuity to the experience.
In terms of actual gameplay, Street Fighter 6 follows the familiar mechanics of 2.5D side-scrolling arcade fighters. You maneuver left, right, up, and down, relentlessly pummeling your opponent’s health bar to zero. Each character possesses a unique set of moves and combos to master, with some being more accessible than others.
The new addition to combat, the Drive System, introduces a wide range of character-specific moves. To utilize these moves, you must skillfully manage the Drive Gauge, a stamina bar-like resource. At the start of each match, players are granted six bars of power, enabling them to unleash devastating techniques such as Drive Impact, Drive Parry, Drive Rush, Drive Reversal, and Overdrive. Managing this meter becomes crucial, as depleting it entirely puts you in a state of Burnout, leaving you highly vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Accessibility is Abundant in Street Fighter 6
In today’s gaming community, accessibility options are paramount, and Capcom has exceeded expectations with Street Fighter 6. They’ve introduced a modern control scheme that simplifies button inputs without sacrificing mastery of the game. For instance, there’s a dedicated throw button and a combo assist button that maps specific combos to single button presses.
This change is pivotal in allowing newcomers to step into the fighting genre without feeling overwhelmed. Although nuances are lost with the modern control scheme, it still enables players to compete effectively. Of course, traditional controls remain an option for those willing to memorize intricate button inputs for specialized moves. Ultimately, the game revolves around learning a character’s moves and knowing precisely when to execute specific combos.
“Capcom’s Reach For The Moon Engine works incredibly well in Street Fighter 6”
At launch, Street Fighter 6 presents 18 unique characters and 17 breathtaking arenas to battle in. While some may find the roster size slightly limited compared to other fighting games, rest assured that Capcom is committed to supporting this live service project for years to come. Additional characters and maps will likely be available through paid DLC or microtransactions.
Speaking of which, microtransactions are already present in the online shop, where Drive Tickets can be purchased to acquire new clothing and cosmetics. However, it’s important to note that these items can also be earned through regular gameplay, ensuring fairness for all players. It’s somewhat disappointing to see Capcom integrate optional player spendings into their games consistently, but it doesn’t significantly hinder the overall experience.
Capcom’s Reach For The Moon Engine works incredibly well in Street Fighter 6, delivering textures and visuals of unmatched quality. The game oozes style and personality, thanks to its vibrant graffiti-infused environments.
Welcome to the next generation of street fighting!
On the PlayStation 5, players can choose between two modes: performance, targeting frame rates, and resolution, prioritizing visual fidelity. It’s worth mentioning that playing in resolution mode during arcade mode delivers a stunning 4K resolution at 60FPS, albeit with a drop to 30FPS in World Tour mode, likely due to the expansive open-world environments.
For a smoother and more consistent experience, I recommend playing in performance mode, as the graphical quality remains outstanding. Sadly, the DualSense controller’s potential isn’t fully utilized, with only minimal vibrations when receiving in-game messages on your virtual phone.
Street Fighter 6 sets the standard for modern fighting games, combining revolutionary accessibility options with a refreshing single-player RPG-lite campaign. Whether you’re a newcomer eager to venture into this daunting genre or a long-time fan of the series, this game guarantees an enjoyable experience. With flawless net code, excellent technical performance, and ongoing developer support, the newest Street Fighter installment is poised to thrive for many years to come. Welcome to the next generation of street fighting!
If you prefer video content, you can view our Street Fighter 6 review on YouTube.
