REVIEW – Street Fighter 6 is not just another sequel in the legendary fighting game series. It is a complete overhaul of the gameplay, graphics, modes and features that makes it the most accessible, diverse and satisfying entry yet. Whether you are a casual player looking for some fun, a hardcore fan looking for a challenge, or a newcomer looking for a tutorial, Street Fighter 6 has something for you.

Street Fighter is one of the most iconic and influential franchises in the history of video games. Since its debut in 1987, it has spawned countless sequels, spin-offs, crossovers, movies, comics and merchandise. It has also shaped the genre of fighting games and inspired generations of players and developers. But after the mixed reception of Street Fighter 5 in 2016, many fans were wondering if Capcom could still deliver a worthy successor that would live up to the legacy of the series. The answer is a resounding yes. Street Fighter 6 is not only a huge improvement over its predecessor, but also a masterpiece of fighting game design that sets a new standard for the genre.

The Drive System: A New Way to Fight

One of the biggest changes in Street Fighter 6 is the introduction of the Drive System, a new mechanic that gives every character five powerful abilities that are fueled by their Drive Gauge. These abilities are: Overdrive special moves, Drive Rush, Drive Parry, Drive Reversals and Drive Impact. Overdrives are enhanced versions of special moves that cost two bars of Drive Gauge and deal more damage or have additional effects. Drive Rush allows you to quickly dash towards your opponent or cancel certain normal attacks into a dash for one or three bars respectively. Drive Parry lets you deflect incoming attacks and counterattack for two bars. Drive Reversals let you escape from pressure by performing an invincible move while blocking for two bars. And Drive Impact is a devastating attack that can break your opponent’s guard and stun them for three bars.

The Drive System adds a lot of depth and variety to the combat, as it gives you many options to choose from depending on your situation and playstyle. You can use your Drive Gauge aggressively to pressure your opponent or deal more damage, or defensively to escape from danger or turn the tables. You can also use it strategically to bait your opponent or surprise them with unexpected moves. The best part is that you start every round with a full Drive Gauge, so you don’t have to worry about saving it for later or losing it between rounds. You can just go all out and have fun with it.

World Tour Mode: A Single-Player Adventure

Another major addition in Street Fighter 6 is the World Tour Mode, a single-player mode that lets you create your own custom character and explore a map based on Final Fight’s Metro City. In this mode, you can interact with various characters from the Street Fighter universe, take on quests, level up your stats and skills, customize your appearance and fighting style, and progress through a story that revolves around a mysterious tournament organized by Mike Haggar.

World Tour Mode is unlike anything seen before in a fighting game, as it combines elements of RPGs, beat ’em ups and open-world games. You can freely roam around Metro City and discover secrets, items and events. You can also fight against random enemies or challenge other fighters in different locations and arenas. The fights are not always one-on-one either; sometimes you have to face multiple opponents at once or team up with an ally. The mode also features branching paths and multiple endings depending on your choices and actions.

World Tour Mode is a great way to enjoy Street Fighter 6 solo or with a friend in co-op mode. It offers hours of content and replay value, as well as a lot of freedom and creativity in how you build your character and play the game. It is also a nice homage to the Final Fight series and a tribute to the rich lore and history of Street Fighter.

Battle Hub and Fighting Ground: Online and Offline Modes

Street Fighter 6 also excels in its online and offline modes, which cater to different types of players and preferences. The online mode is called Battle Hub, and it is an innovative and ambitious system that puts other fighting game lobbies to shame. In Battle Hub, you can create or join a virtual room with up to 100 players, where you can chat, spectate, challenge or team up with others. You can also customize your avatar, decorate your personal space, play mini-games, watch replays and access various options and features. The online matches are smooth and stable thanks to the improved netcode and matchmaking.

The offline mode is called Fighting Ground, and it is a traditional mode that lets you play against the CPU or a local opponent. You can choose from various settings and options, such as difficulty, time limit, rounds, stage, music and more. You can also access the Training Mode, where you can practice your moves, combos and strategies with various tools and options. And you can also play the Arcade Mode, where you can fight against a series of opponents with different themes and endings.

Battle Hub and Fighting Ground are both excellent modes that offer a lot of fun and variety for online and offline players. Whether you want to compete with others, improve your skills or just have some casual fun, Street Fighter 6 has you covered.

Street Fighter 6: A Masterpiece of Fighting Game Design

Street Fighter 6 is a masterpiece of fighting game design that sets a new standard for the genre. It offers the most flexible, versatile and expressive combat system seen in the series to date, with the Drive System adding a lot of depth and variety to the gameplay. It also offers the most feature-rich and diverse package of game modes ever seen in a fighting game, with World Tour Mode being a standout innovation that combines RPGs, beat ’em ups and open-world games. And it also offers a great online and offline experience for different types of players, with Battle Hub being an ambitious and impressive system that puts other fighting game lobbies to shame.

Street Fighter 6 is not just another sequel in the legendary fighting game series. It is a complete overhaul of the gameplay, graphics, modes and features that makes it the most accessible, diverse and satisfying entry yet. Whether you are a casual player looking for some fun, a hardcore fan looking for a challenge, or a newcomer looking for a tutorial, Street Fighter 6 has something for you. And with the PS Plus subscription, you can enjoy all the online benefits and exclusive content that this game has to offer. Street Fighter 6 is arguably the best overall fighting game package ever made.

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Publisher: Capcom

Developer: Capcom

Style: Beat-em-up, fighting game

Release: June 2, 2023.