Streets of Rage 4
" Faithful action indie beat'em up with modern polish and depth but some pacing and balance flaws "
Streets of Rage 4 Review
Streets of Rage 4 is widely celebrated as a faithful and loving revival of the classic beat 'em up series. Players appreciate the game's smooth blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay mechanics, with tight controls and combo systems that reward skill and strategy. The inclusion of original characters and the artistic direction receive high praise, bringing a fresh yet familiar visual style that resonates with fans of the franchise.
The game offers substantial content through its main campaign, DLCs, and various modes like Survival, enhancing replayability. While the soundtrack is generally well-received, some players find it less memorable compared to other aspects. The difficulty is noted as challenging but fair, appealing especially to fans of the original trilogy. However, a few criticisms emerge around pacing, lack of defensive options, and occasional frustrating enemy mechanics. Despite minor issues, Streets of Rage 4 is regarded as a top-tier beat 'em up and a must-play for genre enthusiasts.
Highlights
Gameplay mechanics are praised for their responsiveness, depth, and homage to classic beat 'em ups, encouraging mastery and combo creativity.
The graphics stand out with a unique, hand-drawn art style that modernizes the series while keeping its retro charm.
The storyline, though not the main focus, provides a fun backdrop and nostalgic context, enhanced by returning characters and thematic modes like Survival and Mr. X DLC.
Criticisms
Some players find the lack of defensive options and high enemy damage frustrating, leading to occasional feelings of unfairness. The pacing can feel slow, especially with only one character having a sprint ability, which affects gameplay flow.
Hitboxes and enemy superarmor mechanics are occasionally criticized for reducing combat fluidity. The story mode is considered somewhat rushed and underdeveloped by some, and the soundtrack, while solid, is viewed as middling by a few players.
Technical issues like rare crashes and unresponsive controls are reported but not widespread.
Pros
- • Faithful revival of classic Streets of Rage gameplay with modern polish and depth.
- • Hand-drawn art style beautifully modernizes the series while honoring its roots.
- • Wide variety of characters, each with unique moves and playstyles.
- • Engaging combo system encouraging skillful and stylish combat.
- • Multiple game modes including Survival and DLC add significant replayability.
- • Nostalgic inclusion of original characters and references delight longtime fans.
- • Responsive controls make gameplay feel satisfying and precise.
Cons
- • Only one character has a sprint, making others feel slow and clunky.
- • Lack of defensive options frustrates players facing constant enemy aggression.
- • Enemy superarmor and high damage lead to some unfair combat moments.
- • Hitboxes sometimes require pixel-perfect alignment, hindering fluid combat.
- • Story mode feels rushed and underdeveloped compared to gameplay quality.
- • Soundtrack is considered average by some, lacking standout tracks.
- • Occasional technical issues like crashes and unregistered inputs reported.
Rating Criteria
Amongst the best beat’em up series ever created, jammin’ ‘90s beats and over the top street fighting, the iconic series Streets of Rage comes back with a masterful tribute to and revitalization of the classic action fans adore.
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