Street Fighter 6 Preview | GamersGlobal.de

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Capcom’s long-established brawler series will enter the next round in 2023. In an early version, we distributed a lot of cheek food and can say: fans will feel right at home.

All screenshots and video scenes are from GamersGlobal

Since 1987 the Street Fighterseries without a doubt one of the mainstays within the fighting game scene. Now evil tongues could claim that it has only developed in nuances since the first part and hardly offers any innovations. Even resting on their old laurels. These allegations became particularly loud after the release of street fighter 5 (In the test, grade: 8.0) in 2016. Because Capcom didn’t offer us a solo mode and the sexist depiction, especially of the female characters, continued a series tradition that wasn’t particularly popular. But what is often forgotten despite all the criticism: Very good systems do not necessarily have to be created from scratch and fighting games just concentrate on fighting player against player.

However, there is something to the statement “standing still is death”. Because if nothing happens at all, then even die-hard fans lose interest at some point and turn to other games. And so Capcom wants to go with it street fighter 6 manage the balancing act between new paths and old paths, bring newcomers on board and win veterans over again. Among other things, with a brand new story mode that goes by the euphonious name World Tour. I haven’t been able to play this one myself, but I did get into a couple of one-on-one matches with a Capcom PR rep. He came over with a pre-release of Street Fighter 6 and we let our fists do the talking. In this preview you can find out what I learned from the try-out session. And if you want to know whether GamersGlobal boss Jörg Langer or I hit harder, then you should definitely watch the 4K60 video linked above!

Of course, classic moves like Ryu’s Hadouken shouldn’t be missing.

With drive in the face

Arguably the biggest change in Street Fighter 6’s combat system is the drive. The mechanics can best be compared to mana from role-playing games. Because it allows you to perform certain offensive and defensive maneuvers and thus constantly empties the six bars under your life bar. Depending on the action, one or more segments are fried. You should definitely be careful not to beat yourselves down to zero or you will burnout and be more vulnerable to damage. If things go really badly, your opponent can even stun you with enough hits.

However, as a Street Fighter connoisseur, you don’t have to be afraid that the fights will be changed too much, on the contrary, you still have more tactical options. On the other hand, if you are a complete beginner, the “modern” control mode will suit you. It simplifies combos so much that everyone can quickly celebrate small successes – without turning the game unfair. In my short time with the game, there were already some exciting moments and games that seemed well balanced to me for the most part.

A successful counter-attack pleases the mind immensely.

Modern or classic?

One of the biggest hurdles for newcomers to fighting games is often the complicated combos that veterans have internalized over years of training. With the “modern” control mode, Capcom now wants to give newcomers the chance to keep up. Here, the inputs are significantly simplified and even if you are a gamepad failure, you can relatively easily let strong moves off the floor. However, if you are facing someone who has some experience and plays with the classic system, then you are not overwhelming enemies. Rather, balanced and yet exciting matches can take place. Good to see in the duel Jörg-versus-Dennis in the preview video attached above.

As for playable characters, I tested out veterans Ryu and Chun-Li as well as newcomers Luke and Jamie. The old hands still have their classic moves and can also fire them up in enhanced form if necessary. As a veteran you will be able to perform your Hadouken, Countless Kicks and many more without any problems. The drive system doesn’t change the feel of the game so much that your familiar combos are no longer possible. Luke is a massive pugilist and Jamies has his own mechanic with the drink meter – which I haven’t been able to test enough yet.

No, Street Fighter 6 is not directly realistic either. But the optics are at least a little more serious.

More realism and commentators

Graphically, a lot has happened compared to Street Fighter 5. With the change to the in-house RE engine, the game has been given a more realistic touch, even if the muscular characters are of course still very over the top. But without the heavy cartoon look and with the more detailed backgrounds, a little more seriousness comes into play. Spectators, cherry blossoms and in general the two arenas I played, it all looks chic and underlines Capcom’s willingness to develop the series further. And already ran in this early version in stable 4K60 on the PS5.

There is also news on the audio side with the commentators reacting live to the action of the fight. Not a change I needed, but you can easily turn it off if needed and at least the feature works consistently well. Your combos and maneuvers will be discussed in a timely manner, which can create a certain feeling. And e-sports fans will certainly be happy about the two confirmed speakers, the Japanese one aru and the english one Jeremy “Vicious” Lopez.

Author: Dennis Hilla (GamersGlobal)

Opinion: Dennis Hilla

A confession first, I’m the typical casual street fighter. A few rounds on the couch with friends have drilled me into the basic combos, but not much more is possible. But it was all the more exciting that I got along with Street Fighter 6 immediately in my tryouts. The feel of the game is familiar, but the drive mechanism makes it feel completely new. When I fire a juicy Super Art at my counterpart, it’s difficult to put into words the glee. It’s also nice that the modern control method allows beginners a much easier start, but doesn’t turn them into overpowering enemies – Capcom seems to have struck the right balance here.

What will be particularly exciting for me, however, is how the new World Tour solo mode will turn out. The developers promise big things here, which are also urgently needed. So far, the series has been relatively interesting for single players. But what I’ve seen so far on the Fighting Ground, the classic one-on-one mode, again promises fighting game entertainment of the highest quality.

street fighter 6