Streets of Rage 4 is a glorious comeback for one of the most iconic beat-em-ups of all-time. Everything from the smooth combat to the bopping soundtrack just ooze detail, making it a fantastic game for fans and newcomers alike.
Streets of Rage 4
Developers: Dotemu, LizardCube, Guard Rush Games, and Sega
Price: $25
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (reviewed)
MonsterVine was provided with a PC code for review
Streets of Rage is a series that I never expected to see more of. I grew up playing Streets of Rage 2 like crazy, but since the last entry came out two years before I was born, even as a kid I had assumed that the franchise was retired. When Streets of Rage 4 was announced, my excitement was only matched by my high expectations. Somehow Streets of Rage 4 surpassed these expectations, as it goes above and beyond in every regard.
The story of Streets of Rage 4 is suitably straightforward and shlocky. The children of Streets of Rage villain Mr. X, named Mr. and Ms. Y, are trying to brainwash the denizens of Wood Oak City. As Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, Cherry Hunter, or Floyd Iraia, your job is to beat up every obstacle that stands between you and the evil siblings. Each character has their own backstories, which tie into the previous Streets of Rage games quite nicely, but these are largely presented outside of gameplay through character profiles. You aren’t here for the story though, you’re here for the rage.
And rage there is. Streets of Rage 4’s gameplay is more fluid than ever before, but it never loses the glorious impact that hits in Streets of Rage have always had. Every punch and kick feels like you’re smacking the soul out of your opponents, especially when you use the weapons found throughout stages, like pipes and breakable pool cues. Each of the playable characters feels wholly unique, and I’d be lying if I said this iteration of Axel wasn’t a perfect evolution of his classic playstyle. There are multiple new special attacks for each character, as well as input-based combos like Axel’s classic Grand Upper, which all diversify combat and keep brawls from ever feeling dull.
Playing through stages and gaining points unlocks retro versions of the original three characters (Axel, Blaze, and Adam,) as well as retro-exclusive characters like Max, Skate, and Dr. Zan. The ability to play as so many characters from across the Streets of Rage series not only adds a lot of variety to the game but serves as a delightful gift to longtime series fans. Sure, I’d love to play as Roo (especially after he cameos in the game,) but I really can’t complain since including the old-school cast is an incredible gesture that shows how much respect the developers have for Streets of Rage and its fanbase.
Special moves drain your health like in previous games, but you can gain that health back by hitting foes without being hit yourself. This adds an enticing sense of risk to each stage, as you have to decide whether or not a powerful and flashy move is worth the possible damage it will cost. Health is a commodity in Streets of Rage 4, as losing all your lives means restarting the stage from the beginning, so this risk-versus-reward style of play can make each level pleasantly tense. It’s even more fun while playing with friends, as you can turn on the classic friendly fire to make things really dicey.
“Playing with two people is even more fun than playing with one, as you can team-up on enemies to pull off some genuinely astounding combos.“
Multiplayer can be played with anywhere from two to four players, though I think two is the ideal format. When playing with more than two, it becomes difficult to follow what’s happening because of the abundance of different actions that are happening all over the screen. Playing with two people is even more fun than playing alone, as you can team-up on enemies to pull off some genuinely astounding combos.
Speaking of which, the visuals of Streets of Rage 4 are drop-dead gorgeous. The hand-drawn characters and environments are ridiculously detailed, making the neon-soaked setting feel both lively and run-down. At any time there’s a ton of detail in every corner of the screen, from subtle adaptive character lighting to stunningly smooth animations. The classic sprites are obviously pretty silly-looking next to the modern characters, but with the purpose of invoking nostalgia, they look perfect.
Streets of Rage 4 has one of the best soundtracks of any game this year so far, as every track is an absolute banger. Each track perfectly fits the stage it’s set on, and even under all the violent sound effects, every song will quickly dig its way into your brain. And if the soundtrack isn’t to your liking, you can always swap to the “retro” soundtrack, which is all songs from the first two Streets of Rage games, which are all-time classics themselves. My only complaint is that I wish the cutscenes had voice-acting, but even that isn’t a necessity.
The Final Word
Streets of Rage 4 is a near-perfect return for one of the most beloved beat-em-ups of all-time. Combat is smooth and beyond satisfying, and the visuals and music are exemplary. I can’t recommend this game enough, as it’s everything a longtime fan or newcomer could want and more.
MonsterVine Review Score: 5 out of 5 – Excellent
