The new characters have some different tricks, but aren’t a great departure from past favourites. The levels are full of personality and contain a few interactive environmental features, but are hardly experimental. The only remaining question is whether, in 2020, the design could have been pushed yet further and delivered even more. And despite the tight controls, it would help if specials could instantly cancel other moves. At times, your limited defensive options feel over-exploited by sweeping invincible attacks or flying kicks that track you vertically in mid-air. The combo system can feel mean, as a large score boost can be wiped out entirely with a single hit, and in busy fights, it’s all too easy for the odd punch to sneak through. Difficulty is uneven, as certain run-of-the-mill battles can drain lives in seconds, while a few bosses are oddly feeble. When Streets of Rage 4 does falter, it’s due to relatively minor irritations and imbalances. If anything, it flags on a few boss battles, but as each piece mixes and bridges to suit the on-screen action, it’s a constant enlivening presence, augmenting the game’s assured swagger. Original composer Yuzo Koshiro’s opening tracks replicate the house anthems of the first game, before Olivier Derivière’s stage themes wander purposefully through jazzy synths and dirty basslines, or thumping industrial beats under screeching electro alarms. As a collaborative effort, it’s more diverse than in any of the past games, but still steadfastly 1990s in flavour. The marriage of old and new even extends to the all-important soundtrack. As they begin to stack, these new dangers force constant tactical improvisation and add scope for performance refinement, without altering the series’ DNA. But they’re a little more cunning as they circle and jockey for position to make their move, and new additions, such as shielded riot cops and stocky martial artists, ensure you can’t simply attack head on.īosses and a few other key enemies then introduce special flash attacks that can’t be interrupted, and working out how to deal with these is an extra headache. They’re still predictably one-dimensional, and each has only a couple of different moves at their disposal. In response, your opponents swarm in greater numbers than they used to. It all combines seamlessly, as a combo counter pushes you to maximise the pressure. A well-timed special when you’re surrounded can turn the tables back in your favour. Launched enemies can be juggled with follow-up strikes to finish them off before they can recover. A charged regular attack will send thugs skidding away. There’s a greater supply of weapons, especially handy when thrown to keep agile foes at bay. New tactical possibilities emerge as subtle extensions from the old foundations. There’s still no block button either, so aggressive crowd control is a must, closing enemies down and corralling them together for efficient take-downs. The moveset here is based on that of Streets of Rage 2, so characters can’t run (except youthful newcomer Cherry Hunter) or roll as in Streets of Rage 3. Sure, the ageing cast are a little slow on their feet these days. The fluid mechanics of grab, vault, and throw enable timely dodges or swift reversals to dismantle threats from the rear. Double forward taps engage blitz attacks to clear space in front. Stinging jabs stun opponents momentarily, lining them up for a follow-up flurry or grapple. It hasn’t forgotten the old techniques either, and links them together with an even slicker flow. Longevity relies on difficulty levels, performance rankings, and leader boards, or endless (online or local) co-op runs purely for the joy of the fight. Levels remain linear and tightly paced, and while there are a few more this time, this is an unabashed arcade romp designed to be finished in short order. Story mode restricts events to a handful of comic book stills between each meaty stage. The crisp new visual style, with bold cartoon characters in relief against pencil-sketched backdrops, adds detail without clutter. For a fighter coming out of retirement, Streets of Rage 4 is remarkably lean and sharp.
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