Street Fighter™ 6
" Accessible action-adventure fighting game with vibrant graphics but costly, confusing monetization "
Street Fighter™ 6 Review
Street Fighter™ 6 is widely regarded as the best current-generation fighting game, praised for its accessible yet deep gameplay mechanics, smooth animations, and a robust single-player mode that innovatively incorporates an open-world RPG-style "World Tour." Players appreciate the diverse roster, with classic and new characters, and the well-executed Drive Gauge system adding strategic depth.
However, the game faces criticism regarding its monetization model. Long-time players express frustration over the lack of an upgrade path to the Fighters Edition, forcing them to repurchase content at full price. Additionally, some players find the meta stagnant, with certain characters and mechanics dominating, and balance patches not addressing core issues. The story and single-player narrative are seen as underdeveloped by some, and there are minor annoyances in the UI and game flow.
Overall, SF6 offers a strong fighting experience with a welcoming environment for newcomers and veterans alike, though its monetization and balance remain contentious points.
Highlights
Players laud the game's engaging and intuitive fighting mechanics, which balance accessibility for newcomers with depth for veterans.
The graphics and animations are frequently praised for their smoothness and vibrancy, elevating the visual appeal beyond previous entries.
The single-player "World Tour" mode is celebrated as a fresh and enjoyable way to learn and experience the game, blending RPG elements with fighting game fundamentals.
Robust online features, including fair matchmaking and active player communities, contribute to a satisfying multiplayer experience.
Criticisms
The monetization strategy is a major point of contention, with no upgrade path for existing owners to Fighters Edition, leading to expensive repurchases.
Balance issues persist, particularly with dominant characters like Ryu and problematic mechanics such as throw loops, which are seen as unaddressed by recent patches.
The story content is considered shallow or underdeveloped, lacking a compelling narrative despite the game's focus on single-player modes.
Some UI and quality-of-life aspects, such as cumbersome exit options and confusing DLC structure, frustrate players.
Players also note a smaller skill gap due to high damage and offensive advantages, which may reduce competitive depth for some.
Pros
- • Accessible fighting mechanics welcoming to both new and veteran players.
- • Smooth, vibrant graphics and animations elevate the visual experience.
- • Innovative World Tour mode blends RPG elements with fighting gameplay.
- • Robust online matchmaking with active player base at all skill levels.
- • Diverse character roster featuring classic and fresh fighters.
- • Drive Gauge system adds strategic depth and variety to combat.
- • Comprehensive training tools and tutorials support player growth.
Cons
- • No upgrade path forces existing players to repurchase content fully.
- • Monetization model considered confusing and overly expensive.
- • Balance issues with overpowered characters and unaddressed throw loops.
- • Story and single-player narrative underdeveloped and lacking depth.
- • Limited character customization and slow cosmetic content rollout.
- • Some UI frustrations, including inconvenient exit options.
- • High damage and offense-centric meta reduce competitive skill gap.
Rating Criteria
Here comes Capcom’s newest challenger! Street Fighter™ 6 launches worldwide on June 2nd, 2023 and represents the next evolution of the Street Fighter™ series! Street Fighter 6 spans three distinct game modes, including World Tour, Fighting Ground and Battle Hub.
