It's no secret that whenever a developer that isn't SEGA touches a SEGA ip, greatness ensues, and when that developer is none other than DotEmu themselves, you know that such franchise is in good hand.
Streets of Rage 4 takes everything fans loved about 1 and 2 and makes it modern, more accessible, and infinitely more fun.
This is but a simple homage to years gone by of when SEGA was on its peak of greatness, this is something different - it combines the great base SEGA developed all the way back on the MegaDrive/Genesis and sparkles in innovation and a beautiful art-style that does not stray too far from the original vision.
At least for me this seems like a very concise transition between 90's coolness and modern artwork traces and shading without losing the essence of Streets of Rage, being perfectly suited for a newer generation who most likely would not be so into the older art-style.
Most times I see purists or hardcore "oldschoolers" thinking nothing should change, but so far since the game's release in 2020, it seems as if this was pretty well regarded between oldschool SEGA fans.
Screenshot taken while playing with my little brother
And how's the gameplay like?
First I wish to talk about the controls.
I've been playing with this baby, the bluetooth version of the 8bitdo M30.
The default control scheme was clearly made for modern controllers.
And while the M30 has enough buttons for it, it's not as convenient due to the button placements, however, legacy mode remedies this really well.
A, B, C, and simple buttons combinations. Absolutely perfect and feels like I'm back at my cousin's house holding his chunky 6 button MegaDrive controller and playing through the first Streets of Rage... At least controller wise.
Because the way the gameplay itself feels here is completely different from the rest of the series and feels a lot more satisfying. Punches and kicks have visceral sound and image effects to them that just makes everything feel extra nice.
Adding to all that is the slight increase in complexity. Now with special moves being way more useful and taking a larger role in combat.
With small special moves which use up a small portion of your health bar, that can be gained back by beating up foes, that leads up to some incredible flashy combo potential that feels good not only on bosses but also regular foes.
Besides that there are the star moves:
These are basically what the A button did on the original Streets of Rage but supercharged. A bunch of new special moves that look awesome and even retrofitted to the classic characters that have been reintroduced into the game.
One last thing I'd like to talk about is the soundtrack. I feel that talking about the artstyle is redundant as this game's visual presentation speaks for itself, it's great.
But you can't hear sound through text.
So come on in, have a listen my friend.
This follows the trend of recent revivals of franchises where the soundtrack alone could be a product, it's simply phenomenal. It adds so much to the experience and it fits the overall theming and message of the game so damn well: This may be a follow-up of a 90's classic, it may look like a 90's classic, but this is modern - modern whilst not losing that charm, that charm that captivated us SEGA fans all those years ago, us SEGA fans young and old - be you one who played in the 90s or who grew up with the Genesis/Mega as a kid in a country where consoles were hard to come by.
This is one masterpiece that I regret not playing early. Streets of Rage 4 is now one of my favourite games of this decade already and it's a strong 10/10 from me.
Play it.
