Amongst the best beat’em up series ever created, jammin’ ‘90s beats and over the top street fighting, the iconic series Streets of Rage comes back with a masterful tribute to and revitalization of the classic action fans adore.
The classic beat 'em up gameplay stays true to the original trilogy while introducing modern mechanics. Players choose from a diverse cast of characters, each with unique fighting styles and abilities, to take on waves of enemies and bosses across urban stages.
The roster includes both beloved characters like Axel and Blaze, as well as newcomers such as Cherry and Floyd. Each fighter has distinct attributes, strengths, and special moves, encouraging players to experiment to find their preferred playstyle.
A robust combo system lies at the heart of the gameplay. Players can string together basic attacks, special moves, and powerful "Blitz" attacks to create devastating combos. The ability to regain health by hitting enemies after using a special move adds a risk-reward dynamic, rewarding aggressive and technical play. In addition to combos, the game provides various offensive tools, including powerful "Star" moves and environmental weapons. These options allow players to handle large groups of enemies or overcome challenging foes.
Defeating the wide array of enemy types requires both skill in executing combos and an understanding of their attack patterns and behaviors. Boss battles, in particular, test players' mastery of the mechanics, often featuring multiple phases and unique gimmicks. The difficulty is well-balanced, providing a satisfying challenge that encourages players to improve their skills. The availability of multiple difficulty settings caters to players of varying skill levels.
The seamless local and online cooperative multiplayer allows players to team up with friends, coordinating their attacks and managing resources to overcome challenges together. This cooperative experience adds an extra layer of strategy and communication, making for a highly enjoyable and replayable experience.
As players progress, they earn experience points to unlock additional characters, alternate costumes, and retro-style pixel versions of classic characters. This progression system, combined with the game's various modes and difficulty settings, ensures a high degree of replayability for fans of the genre.