Street Fighter 6 | Review

Initial Release Date: June 2, 2023

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Mode: Multiplayer and Solo

Genres: Fighting Game, Adventure

Designer: Yusuke Hashimoto

Developer: Capcom

Publishers: Capcom, Taito, Capcom U.S.A., Inc.

Introduction

Before I start you can view my gameplay videos at Street Fighter 6 Video Playlist. I been playing fighting video games since the first Street Fighter hit the arcade. I could go back even further with games like Kung Fu etc.

With that said I’m not into esports or any of that new age gaming culture for the most part. During the 1980’s and 90’s family and friends would gather around and play fighting video games on consoles in a casual-like manner, for fun.

My Street Fighter 6 review is geared to casuals. Casual gamers who love fighting games but aren’t a pro or doesn’t want to be a esports legend etc. With that said, Hit The Streets!

Presentation

For reference, I played Street Fighter 4 and Street Fighter 5 on launch day. I’ll just just say it. Street Fighter 6 KO’s both of those video games not only from a quality content perspective but also from the amount of content it brings day one.

Normally when a modern Street Fighter launches it comes with a short arcade mode featuring the main cast of characters. It also has competitive matches with bots and or online matchmaking.

Furthermore, a practice and training mode rounds out the launch day experience…usually. Not with Street Fighter 6. You have Fighting Ground which is basically what I just described above. That’s one of three modes in Street Fighter 6

You don’t just have Fighting Ground but two extra day 1 expansions called Battle Hub and World Tour. I will get into the latter modes in the gameplay section of this review. But first, I want to talk about my technical experience day one with Street Fighter 6.

Asides from having to use my phone to sign up with Capcom’s service to play online I must say my experience was amazing day one. I had no real technical issues save for a funny World Tour bug when all of the enemies in an area congregated to my avatar making odd animations.

As for disconnects and serious glitches I had none. I was shocked at how well Battle Hub worked day one. I could never see that day one in the previous Street Fighter games. So yeah, really good work day one Capcom. I see why gamers are nicknaming you CapGods.

Story

Arcade Mode has your standard fighting game story elements featuring fighter’s various backgrounds and involvement with Street Fighter’s universe. However, the real story is featured in World Tour which is a action RPG of sorts.

The story revolves around your avatar and solving the question “What is Strength?”. World Tour leads you down a path to find strength along with your ex fighting partner named Bosch.

World Tour takes place in Final Fight’s Metro City which has a giant statue and stadium dedicated to Mayor Mike Haggar. As a young teen I played Final Fight in the arcades. It was just cool seeing Thrasher and the Mad Gears while roaming an open world current gen Metro City.

In World Tour you meet famous Street Fighters like Chun Li, Ryu and Ken along the way. You have to decrypt a data disc that has information about Shadolo a crime organization once headed by M. Bison. World Tour does a have a real story which isn’t good or anything but serviceable at best.

Gameplay

I don’t care about frame speed, hit boxes, canceling or any other advanced fighting game mechanic. What I do care about when it comes to fighting games is whether it’s fun or not. Yes, Street Fighter 6 is fun and features a plethora of options for pros and casual players alike.

What I loved the most is the new controls option called “Modern Controls”. Modern controls allows my old fingers to pull off crazy button inputs without having to enter the the confusing inputs. You just press triangle (Playstation 5) + direction and a button or two and you’re done.

Battle Hub is a online hub for all players avatars made during World Tour to interact in the Street Fighter community with other fighters. You can challenge other avatars to fight online. Play old Capcom arcade classics. I played Street Fighter 2 and Final Fight.

Battle Hub is for people who like being sociable in video games. I’m in my 40’s now so I could care less about being social in any videogame yet Battle Hub is a cool hangout place regardless.

When I was a kid playing Street Fighter 2 in the arcades, groups of people would watch, putting their quarters on the screen calling next was social. The good ole days.

World Tour is the single player open world campaign settled in Metro City with a self contained story. It will take you thirty or so hours to do everything in World Tour.

Capcom really went all out with this game mode. I could see gamers paying $14.99 just to play World Tour as a standalone video-game. It’s really good for solo players like myself.

Last but not least you have Fighting Ground which is the typical gameplay mode featuring online matchmaking, Arcade Mode for each character featuring cutscenes and story beats. Fighting ground is for the Esports players. You can practice a specific fighter’s techniques in practice mode also.

Street Fighter 6 features “Drive” abilities such as Drive impact, Drive Parries with specials. It’s a simple concept with a meter that drains as you use it. On Playstation 5 you press L1 to Drive Impact attack and R1 to Drive Impact Parry. Using Drive abilities can turn the tide of battle when used at the right moment in fights!

As for netcode and all of the technical online aspects of gameplay in Street Fighter 6. The game ran and performed better than Street Fighter 4 or 5 from what I remember EASILY. It’s a feat what Capcom pulled off in regards to content, gameplay, performance day one and presentation.

Graphics/Visuals

Playing Street Fighter 6 on my Playstation 5 in performance mode was impressive. Granted, certain aspects of World Tour didn’t impress me except the in-game cinematics sure the hell did. Street Fighter 6 dazzles while you’re fighting featuring special effects and texture work that rival the best looking fighting games ever made.

Sound/Music

For the most part I enjoyed the hypey hip-hop tracks that are designed to get you in the mood to FIGHT! World Tour features voiced dialogue that was cheesy. Cheesy or not I appreciate the effort.

Tips and Tricks

In World Tour find and unlock Street Fighter masters around the world and give them gifts. This will unlock special moves and abilities for your avatar. Master the Drive Impact and Parry mechanics. There are plenty of ways to master your character or specific fighter. Practice your movesets and strategy! Most importantly, have fun!

Final Verdict

Capcom absolutely nailed Street Fighter 6. They KO’d their past games with an unbelievable amount of great content that all worked day one. With modern controls casuals can now join the fight for strength and compete!

Street Fighter 6 has everything for everybody in regards to fighting game content. It’s for casulas and pros alike. There is a spot for you in Street Fighter 6. I promise. Thank you for reading – Jason