Katsuhiro Harada, the director of Tekken 8 and long-time veteran of the series, has responded to what he refers to as "silly threats." In a recent tweet, he hits back at online trolls with a pretty lengthy statement about what harassment leads to.

In a recent post on Twitter, Harada decided to give his take on the threats that have been coming his way online. One such example comes from a no-named user who says they will hit the director "with a Burning Hammer" (a move used by Tekken wrestler King) if Tekken 8 doesn't feature Eddy Gordo.

https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1689456340564111361

Harada makes it clear that, serious or not, such threats affect he and "everyone at FGC" (fighting game community). In a three-point post, he outlines what comments like these leads to. Number one being that security is bumped up, which "increases operating costs and increases the burden on the players" who attend.

Motivation also decreases

He goes on to say that "company founders, board members, and lawyers 'Don't like to be intimidated'," and that he does not "adopt the views of those who use 'We' when expressing their opinions," as though such people represent all fans.

The end result is that studios simply have no motivation to carry on making games when threats are being made. Tekken 8 is highly anticipated, and the last thing fans want or need is for the team to not want to keep working on it.

Yet still people persist. Immediately below Harada's tweet, one user says they will be spending their money elsewhere because companies like Bandai Namco easily forget the "narrow demographic who, mostly, go out of their way to afford" a "luxury product." Harada's response to this is a bit more... direct. So, as he's said before, don't ask him for shit.

The post Tekken 8 director fires back at ‘silly threats’ over the roster appeared first on Destructoid.

Evo is a major event for fighting game tournaments and news. This year, we've seen updates announced for some of the biggest games in the genre, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Mortal Kombat 1. There's even a brief teaser for SNK's next bout. Here's all the news at Evo 2023 you should know about.

[caption id="attachment_395265" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

Street Fighter 6 x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

After a musical performance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song, Capcom announced a new crossover for Street Fighter 6. Starting August 8, there will be four skins for your custom characters based on the radical reptiles, pizza-riffic emotes, new titles, stamps, mobile wallpaper, and camera frames. This bit of EVO 2023 news was one of the highlights of the show for me.

https://youtu.be/TY-k6jYzXtg

A.K.I. joins the battle in Street Fighter 6

Capcom also teased its next Street Fighter 6 character, A.K.I. She looks twisted, and poisons your custom character in the trailer. No gameplay was shown, but we do know she'll be available sometime this Fall.

[caption id="attachment_395269" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Mortal Kombat YouTube channel[/caption]

Ashrah, Havik, and Reptile are in Mortal Kombat 1

Three new characters were announced in a stellar Mortal Kombat 1 trailer. You'll be able to play as Ashrah, Havik, and Reptile when the game arrives on September 19, 2023. Ashrah is a surprising choice, as she hasn't been in the series since the PS2 game Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Regardless, she looks like she fits in with her brutal Fatality. Sareena is also coming back, but as a Kameo fighter this time around.

[caption id="attachment_395273" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via arcsystemworks YouTube channel[/caption]

Johnny returns in Guilty Gear Strive's Season Pass 3

Shirtless and ready to strike his foes, Johnny returns as the first character of Guilty Gear Strive's Season Pass 3. He swings his katana with a quickening pace, and also unleashes cards, even turning people into them and slashing them up when the opportunity arises. He'll be available to play on August 24.

Season Pass 3 will include one more character in 2023 and an additional two in 2024. It will also come with two more stages, more color variants for your characters, and two extra colors for the Season 3 characters.

Arc System Works also confirmed that the game's reached 2.5 million players, making Guilty Gear Strive a huge success for the studio.

https://youtu.be/cTyy0kgQ8Ug

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves hypes up the crowd

After The King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown getting acclaim from fans and critics alike, the Fatal Fury series is returning with City of the Wolves. Not much was announced, but there was a little teaser by SNK, showcasing Terry and Rock Howard in the game. The graphics seem to be an upgrade too, with more visual details and improved lighting.

No release date has been given, but SNK fittingly said it is "furiously in development."

[caption id="attachment_395281" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via SNK OFFICIAL YouTube channel[/caption]

The King of Fighters XV adds Najd and Duo Lon, and KOF XIII gets a re-release date

On August 8, Najd will be available as a DLC character in The King of Fighters XV. Duo Lon will then follow her sometime this Autumn, which starts on September 23 and ends on December 21.

Additionally, The King of Fighters XIII Global Match will hit PS4 and Switch on November 16 with rollback netcode.

https://youtu.be/30GpU_0A8Rg

Raven and Azucena join the Tekken 8 roster

Fan favorite character Raven and the coffee-obsessed newcomer Azucena are a part of the Tekken 8 roster. Raven is using his shadow skills that might remind you of Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu. Meanwhile, Azucena has an intriguing dodge feature with some tasty counters shown off in the trailer. Tekken 8 still has no release date attached.

[caption id="attachment_395287" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via RIot Games' YouTube channel[/caption]

League of Legends fighting game Project L adds Yasuo

The in-development 2v2 fighter Project L is adding the champion Yasuo into the mix. His move set includes a far-reaching sword and quick attacks in the air. He can also release tornados and wind walls against his opponents.

"He can outplay with mix-ups, he can go to the air for really technical combos, play defense with his wind wall, or honestly just win neutral with his huge normals," said lead champion designer Alex Jaffe. Sadly, no release date for Project L was announced amid all the news at Evo 2023.

https://youtu.be/GYIOUxYBukw?t=354

Plankton is a new character in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

The tiny Plankton from Bikini Bottom is joining the bout in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 in a mech. He has all sorts of weaponry to fight off the likes of Aang, Reptar, and Spongebob SquarePants. He, alongside Squidward, will be a part of the main roster when the game launches later this year.

https://youtu.be/2Dc4F_fC0nc?t=42

Killer Instinct is getting a huge update

Cult-favorite Killer Instinct is getting a major update from Xbox Game Studios and Iron Galaxy for the first time in years. It will include better matchmaking, a balance update, and all-new 4K support on Xbox Series X|S. It will be coming this Fall. Now that Iron Galaxy and Xbox are working together on this, perhaps talk of a sequel could arise between the two companies after Rumbleverse's shutdown in February.

https://youtu.be/m55Ju_OmSvU

Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys:Celes is bringing "Dramatic Stylish 2D Fighting Action" in 2024

After more than ten years and many versions, Under Night In-Birth is getting a sequel. It will be launching early next year for the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Sorry, Xbox fans. Additionally, there will be rollback netcode.

Arc System Works says there will be "completely redesigned visuals" and "even more playable characters to be added" down the line. The trailer's description also touts that there will be "new moves and new battle systems" that further evolve the battle in Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys:Celes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbI26Ehde3g

GranBlue Fantasy Versus: Rising gets a release date

The release date for the sequel Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is November 30, as announced at Evo. As the festive season begins, we'll be battling it out as Gran and other characters in a three-part story and a new mode called Grand Bruise. Additionally, there is crossplay and rollback netcode available in this new version of the game. More characters are available too, including Anila, Grimnir, Nier, and Siegfried.

https://youtu.be/yKUH3zTNWMk

Maypul comes to Rivals 2

Finally, the fox-like combatant Maypul joins the Smash-like Rivals 2. She brings three different plants with her to the battle, including Lily, Terry, and Poppy. She'll also be the fastest character in the game. Maypul's combos look thrilling in the trailer itself. The game launches sometime next year.

That's it for Evo 2023 news cycle. Which fighting games are you most looking forward to next year, and will you be playing as Michelangelo in Street Fighter 6's avatar battles?

The post All the fighting game news from EVO 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Tekken 8 was originally announced in 2022, and a Closed Network Test was recently released on multiple platforms in July. To the dismay of the developers, some gamers have since cracked the CNT to play it in unintended ways. Bandai Namco is warning players against playing Tekken 8's cracked CNT, and those caught could face consequences.

[caption id="attachment_392950" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

Be patient or risk a ban

Players with the cracked CNT can not only play the game offline, but continue to play it beyond the test period. In a Twitter post, Bandai Namco warned that this violates its Terms of Service and the Tekken World Tour's Code of Conduct.

https://twitter.com/BNEesports/status/1685978121948770305

Unauthorized access to the CNT could result in a ban from the upcoming Tekken World Tour and other official tournaments. In other words, competitive players may want to heed this warning. It is understandable why developers would emphasis this penalty in particular. Those playing the cracked version would have a headstart on practice, which could affect the results of official tournaments.

This isn't the only problem the CNT has caused, as it has also resulted in Tekken 8's partial roster leaking. Though Bandai Namco has officially announced 16 characters, the leak reveals a longer list of playable fighters.

It has certainly been a good time for fighting game fans. Street Fighter 6 launched to critical acclaim in June, and Mortal Kombat 1 will launch on September 19. Bandai Namco has not yet revealed a release date for Tekken 8.

The post Bandai Namco warns players to stop playing the Tekken 8 cracked test appeared first on Destructoid.

The best stages of fighting games transport us to an exciting arena. It could be a stunning wilderness, a ruckus crowd, or an ancient temple. What's most important is how they set the tone of the fight and if the intractable nature of the stage is well suited to a fighting game. Let's hear the roar of the crowd and get stuck in on what makes an exciting fighting game stage.

[caption id="attachment_394297" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

The stunning setting from stages of fighting games

Arguably, the most important element is the graphics of each stage. There's always a balance between being too simple and too distracting. For example, I hate it when pro fighting game players always pick the plain white training stages during EVO or local meetups that take me out of the experience. On the other side of the coin, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Final Destination has way too much going in the background that keeps me off focus.

The best fighting game stages have enough flair to be entertaining but not too still to the point of boredom. Duomo di Sirio is one of my favorites from Tekken 7, for example. There's not a lot going on in the background, but there's an elegance to the European-inspired setting. There are sculptures in the background and illustrative architectural touches that make it stand out. As the battle continues, you can punch your foe off the balcony, giving a more dynamic feel to the fight. The stage's music is also exhilarating.

Bustling or serene, fighting game stages can fit different qualities

Additionally, the best stages show the environment's culture perfectly. Street Fighter 2's Shopping District depicts a bustling Chinese market. There's a cyclist rolling down beside the fight as a chicken flaps its wings inside a cage, a woman is washing her hands in a bowl, and meat is hung up by hooks. To give a more recent example, Street Fighter 6's Fete Foraine presents a stunning Parisian night. The Eiffel Tower is glowing in the background of a market filled with a clown, food stalls, and a spinning ride. There are also people enjoying their food on red and white cloth tables. Capcom does a great job of detailing its stages with all sorts of references and cultural reflections of each environment.

If you want a stage that's more serene, take a look at Genbu Temple, also in Street Fighter 6. It's not populated with onlookers to the fight, but the slight monochromatic styling of the stage next to the pink blossom trees is so striking. Awesome stages can take different forms.

[caption id="attachment_394294" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Cinematic stages

NetherRealm's recent fighting game output has provided interactive stages. They're cool because your environment presents a new layer of strategy to each bout. In Injustice: Gods Among Us, you're able to bounce off a car's hood to get out of the corner or ride a motorcycle into your opponent in Wayne Manor. There's even the option to smash The Joker's face into the car. You can also launch your opponent out of the arena with an impressively detailed cinematic cutscene.

Meanwhile, Dragon Ball FighterZ impresses anime and fighting game fans alike with its thrilling animations that seem ripped straight from the show. One critical element of the stages in this game is how they can crumble around you. If you use a powerful ability, the environment is wiped out, adding believability to the intense cutscenes that play beforehand.

https://open.spotify.com/track/6WdFcnGJNgLOeL4RBCU95l?si=5e500366ef3a46c8

The music

While some games focus more on the character themes nowadays, each stage's music is important in capturing excitement in a fanbase. While Jin and Heihachi are simply fighting on a shallow ocean floor and nothing else, the "Infinite Azure" track is spectacular. The beats are addicting and maintain an intense tempo, but there remains a calm tranquil tone that's refreshing to listen to. It features a few surprises in the composition, like a heavier emphasis on the percussion mid-song. Without this music, it would be a dull yet beautiful stage to fight in.

Going back to Dragon Ball FighterZ, "West City" retains the upbeat yet heavy stakes of battle. The deep bass, strings-focused melody, and then the horns all make for an epic theme while you're fighting against the likes of Tien, Cell, and Goku. While the environments show an accurate recreation of West City from the anime, the music truly makes it a fantastic stage I go back to over and over again.

You cannot talk about great fighting game stage music without mentioning "Jazzy NYC" from Street Fighter III: Third Strike. The deeper cymbal section at the beginning represents a hip-hop energy as you enter New York City. The theme is lively and has you bobbing your head up and down. The jazzy saxophone-like MIDI has an amazing solo in the middle of the song that just exudes energy. It's one of, if not the, most popular stage theme in Street Fighter history. If the music is right, it will emphasize the stage's vibe perfectly.

What are your favorite fighting games stages?

There are so many fantastic fighting game stages out there. I personally have a soft spot for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale's novelty approach to mixing two games into one area, like God of War and Ratchet & Clank in Metropolis. There's also the majesty of Tekken 5's Moonlit Wilderness with its gorgeous moonlit sky and flowers that glow from its light; it has an epic theme with it, making this stage the ultimate package. What are your favorite fighting game stages?

The post What makes an exciting fighting game stage? Let’s dive in appeared first on Destructoid.

Each Tekken in the series is usually a landmark for console generations, with its spectacular graphics and superb game design, and that's certainly the case with Tekken 8. With its stunning lighting, entertaining new Heat system, and crisp netcode, this entry is certainly going in the right direction with its closed network test. Get your fists ready if another test or the full game arrives soon. There are many reasons why I can't wait for the next battle.

[caption id="attachment_394395" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The next evolution of Tekken

The Tekken series has stepped it up again with its thrilling combat system. It keeps evolving, with each game adding a new compelling element; this time, it's the Heat system. The Heat Timer heightens the attack power of your character and enables you to chip damage away from foes even if they're blocking. You can only use it once per round, but it is key to your survival. Heat Smashes can be activated during the timer, letting you perform a flashy, yet powerful attack. It takes around a fifth of your opponent's health. The Heat System ups the stakes as it runs out, and the other player desperately blocks incoming strikes for around 10-15 seconds.

That's not all about the Heat system, however. There are certain moves—like Jin's Heat Engager—that activate the timer automatically within a combo. Button mashers may hate this, but if you use it strategically, these moves can be effective at disrupting your foe's reign-of-terror combos. Another way to stop your foe from attacking is a Power Crush. It's a counter that's utilized to stop yourself from getting juggled. Rage Arts are also back and are flashy as ever.

Tekken 8 feels great to play with all-new moves and combos to initiate on your opponent. In the excellent training mode, you can get used to the precise timing with every strike if you want to link a combo. Tekken 8 shows awesome bread-and-butter combos to perform on your enemies, and you can watch a video demo with the inputs on the screen. Combo challenges can also be shown through the UI, so you can reference them quickly. It's an approachable game for newbies who want to become intermediate players online.

How is the Tekken 8 netcode?

Despite Tekken 8 likely being many months away from release, the netcode during the alpha seems to be a success. Many games ran smoothly, as if the other player was sitting next to me in a local tourney. However, I did encounter a somewhat laggy game, despite there being five bars on my competitor.

[caption id="attachment_394396" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Damn, Tekken 8 is pretty

If you look at the trailers, you may believe there isn't a huge jump in graphical quality. Think again. Once you're playing it on a PS5, it's absolutely stunning. The facial animations of characters like Lee Chaolan are astonishing as he exaggerates his mouth and eyes. Additionally, you can see the intense hatred in Kazuya's face through his eyes on the main menu; it's actually haunting whenever you boot up the game.

The environments are filled to the brim with detail. The puddles in the New York stage reflect the lights from Times Square's advertisements, and the lighting from the neon signs stands out sharply on screen. You can even see the haze of smoke in the distance, and the crackling of the earth beneath your competitor's feet. The action is all in a wonderful 60 frames per second as well. You could name it as one of this generation's prettiest titles. Thank goodness there isn't a PS4 or Xbox One version holding it back.

As each battle continues, you'll see the sweat pouring from the characters as they desperately fight to win. Paul's sleeve breaks apart as he readies up his Rage Art and it remains that way for the rest of the match. Bandai Namco seems to pulling out all of the stops to make this as stunning as it can be.

Another neat factor of the game is the unique intros for rivalries in Tekken 8. When friends Lee and Paul face each other, they cross fists, breaking apart the glass under them in the Arena. It looks similar to how each Tekken trailer begins. This addition is a nice touch for long-time fans and adds further intensity to the fight ahead. The same happens with Jin and Kazuya as well.

Tone down the distracting music

Tekken 8's soundtrack is more like something you'd hear on a dance floor than an arena. The dubstep is obnoxious and distracting for some of the tracks included in this closed test, especially in the Urban Square stage. However, there is a standout banger for the Yakushima stage. It feels like a more rounded composition with gorgeous strings, stunning vocals, and a pumping backbeat that keeps the song moving forward. That's until the final round creeps in, and there's a blast of incessant dubstep within an otherwise great track. If this trend continues into the full game, I'm prepared to lower the music volume to 0 and put on my own playlist.

The electronic composition for the Arena stage is also decent but, in my opinion, goes way too hard with the bass. So far there are no tracks that come close to bangers like "Heat Haze Shadow" or "Infinite Azure" from Tekken 7 or Tekken 5's "Moonlit Wilderness."

Tekken 8's stellar so far

Bandai Namco hasn't pulled its punches with Tekken 8. Every character is animated incredibly well, and the action feels fluid, even more so than in Tekken 7. The new mechanics like the Heat Timer adds to the formula, creating a more fast-paced fighter that will be thrilling to watch at EVO and other tournaments. The music is a somewhat letdown as it's gone way too hard on the electronic and dubstep from past entries, but Tekken 8 is a promising fighting game I can't wait to get my hands on.

The post Hands-on: Tekken 8 seems ready for the next battle appeared first on Destructoid.

NetherRealm's Mortal Kombat franchise will be receiving a reboot with the upcoming title, Mortal Kombat 1. It is set to hit shelves on September 19 on PC and current-gen consoles, and in the lead-up, some of the characters and gameplay have been revealed.

The roster will feature plenty of classic characters such as Liu Kang and Johnny Cage, as well as cameos from DC heroes, including Omni-Man who will be voiced by J.K. Simmons.

[caption id="attachment_393385" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

Mortal Kombat 1's Kombat Pack

Like other games in the franchise, Mortal Kombat 1 will be receiving post-launch content, and the first DLC pack will add comic book characters such as The Boys' Homelander and DC's Peacemaker, and Omni-Man. This should be good news for Omni-Man fans, as Invincible's second season is set to premiere on November 3. In an interview that took place during this year's San Diego Comic-Con, NetherRealm's Ed Boon revealed that Omni-Man will be voiced by Simmons, who also voices the character in the Amazon Prime animated series Invincible.

It isn't the first time Simmons has lent his voice-acting talents to video games, and he has also voiced Cave Johnson in Portal 2, as well as J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man 2: The Video Game and Spider-Man 3: The Video Game, to name a few of his roles.

Other confirmed voice actors include Andrew Bowen who is voicing Johnny Cage, Kari Wahlgreen who voices Kitana, and Sunil Malhotra who is the voice behind Kung Lao.

[caption id="attachment_393384" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

Mortal Kombat 1 is on the way

Plenty of features from past titles in the series will be making a comeback. This includes Quitalities to annoy players who try to spare themselves the shame of a Fatality. The Air Kombos from Mortal Kombat: Armageddon will also be making a return, though they have been refined.

Though Mortal Kombat 1 will contain plenty of features from the franchise's past, it will also be introducing new elements. This includes the Kameo Fighters feature, which will allow characters to assist in fights. Confirmed Kameo Fighters include Sonya Blade and Kano.

If you're interested in sprucing up your roster, keep your eyes on the Premium Edition which includes the base game along with the Kombat Pack, 1250 Dragon Krystals (the in-game currency), and early access from September 15. Alternatively, consider the Kollector's Edition which features all the Premium Edition's content as well as a steel book, three exclusive art prints, an inspired Liu Kang in-game character skin, a total of 2700 Dragon Krystals, and a 16.5-inch Liu Kang sculpture designed by COARSE.

The post Mortal Kombat 1’s Omni-Man will be voiced by J.K. Simmons appeared first on Destructoid.

Someone old, someone new, someone licensed, and someone who kinda blew

I've been playing Mortal Kombat off and on since the early 90s, and while I have a good grasp of the breadth of the cast, there are still names and faces that slip through the cracks. Names like Li Mei. I don't remember her from any of the games, so I shot over to the awful Mortal Kombat Fandom wiki to get a refresher on this fighter I'd completely forgotten.

Even after reading her bio, I still don't remember her. But I guess we'll be reacquainted later this year as a new trailer from NetherRealm today confirmed she's coming to Mortal Kombat 1 alongside Tanya, who I do remember from Mortal Kombat X. Both fighters feature heavily in the spot, as does Baraka, who is back as a playable character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sLJ-xyjMQo

With the game still several weeks from launch, NetherRealm decided now is as good a time as any to confirm all the DLC rumors that have been swirling since it was revealed. In a second trailer released on Friday, the developer confirmed the kombatants of what will likely be the first Kombat Pack. Included are:

• Omni-Man (Invincible)
• Homelander (The Boys)
• Peacemaker (Peacemaker, Suicide Squad)
• Quan Chi (Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm)
• Ermac (Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3)
• Takeda (Mortal Kombat X)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT-3vhCl6N4

Mortal Kombat 1 releases on September 14 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch. Pricing and a release schedule for the Kombat Pack haven't been revealed yet, but you can secure the six fighters above if you purchase the Premium or Kollector's Edition.

The post Li Mei, Tanya, Omni-Man, and Homelander will draw blood in Mortal Kombat 1 appeared first on Destructoid.

Captain Falcon would be an awesome Tekken 8 character

Many Nintendo fans only know Captain Falcon as a Smash Bros character (despite his racing origins), and his melee-based fighting style seems well suited to a traditional fighting game. It stands to reason that his moves from Super Smash Bros., translate perfectly into Tekken 7! The Captain Falcon Tekken 7 mod by JSRRemix and Mr. Fletch completely rework Noctis and impressively "shows his moves" like the powerful Falcon Punch and explosive Falcon Dive.

The mod has been blowing up since content creator UMIN uploaded an impressive reel of Captain Falcon's attacks and model on Twitter Saturday with almost one million views. In the past, they've debuted trailer-like videos for mods based on Overwatch 2's Kiriko, Final Fantasy VII's Cloud Strife, Soul Calibur's Ivy, and Hatsune Miku.

An impressive Captain Falcon Tekken 7 mod

https://youtu.be/BKXIQ95F7Hw

Captain Falcon fits right into Tekken 7. In this Showcase video, he demonstrates the ability to juggle his opponents in the air with his precise kicks. He can also do a flip kick that looks impressive in Tekken 7. The Falcon Kick does seem busted as it's so fast, but Noctis' abilities with his sword are also astronomically quick.

Captain Falcon's Up-B in Smash, the Falcon Dive, is used as a flashy conclusion to an air combo. Not many characters in Tekken 7 have this set up in the air, so it's a neat change to the flow.

What does the mod do?

[caption id="attachment_392025" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via UMIN's YouTube channel[/caption]

With the TKDataPatcher mod tool, you can add him to the game by using Noctis as the base character. You'll have to go to the Character Customize menu to get Captain Falcon ready.

Then, you can alter the shading of the hero; you can go with a darker, shadowy look to the racer. There's also a brighter toon shader option that fits his Smash Bros. look. Either way, you can't go wrong. UMIN has provided a download link to the mod featured in their video description. There's also a tutorial you can follow here to install TKDataPatcher.

Keep in mind that UMIN claims in the comments of the video that the mod is currently unfinished, but you can play the custom character right now.

The post You can now Falcon Punch Heihachi with new Captain Falcon Tekken 7 mod appeared first on Destructoid.

Where there's Smoke...

A fan-favorite is confirmed to be returning to the Mortal Kombat grinder. Today's new trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 reveals both Rain and Smoke will appear in the new entry.

Smoke is a well-liked member of the Lin Kuei, who finally gets a human re-debut in Liu Kang's new era. Here, Smoke is a fellow member of the Lin Kuei who joins with Scorpion and Sub-Zero to defend Earthrealm.

Also arriving is Rain, a High Mage of Outworld who wields water magic. He's looking a bit more robed and wizard-like, compared to his original palette-swapped appearance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66opZ1Go_ZA

Some Kameo fighters also make an appearance here, too. Scorpion pops up, of course. But the cyborg side of the Lin Kuei appears, too; Sektor and Cyrax are in as Kameos, as well as a human version of Frost.

For our two main roster fighters, both look pretty excellent. Smoke is obviously a highlight. His teleportation and quick jabs look fantastic, and that knife looks devastating in the X-ray attacks. Rain, meanwhile, is like a Waterbender that gets to actually do some damage with their aquatic magic. I really dig the big lightning ball attack that he can call down from a raincloud.

Kombat history

The Kameo fighters bring their own flavor too, and it's nice to see the cyborgs appear. I was curious about whether they would. With a new era and re-envisioned versions of characters, having the robo-fighters reappear or not felt up in the air.

After playing it at SGF 2023, though, it definitely seemed like Kameos are NetherRealm's way of including more fan-favorites from its ever-expanding universe without having to make them fully fledged fighters right away. If it keeps up the nostalgia and klassic references, I could see this being a really enjoyable experience for long-time MK fans.

Mortal Kombat 1 arrives on September 19, 2023.

The post Mortal Kombat 1 trailer unleashes Smoke, Rain, and more Kameos appeared first on Destructoid.

A lot of people will be Street Fighting

The latest Street Fighter has been out for just shy of a month now, and it sure seems like it's caught on. The current number of Evo registrants seems to back up this popularity too, as the tournament organizer confirms Street Fighter 6 is breaking both franchise and all-time Evo player count records.

Shared on social media, the Evolution Championship Series says Street Fighter 6 has officially broken both a franchise and all-time Evo record for competitors.

https://twitter.com/EVO/status/1673466628636561408

Evo doesn't share how many players that is. But if we're judging by the previous record count of Street Fighter V at Evo 2016, that's over 5,000 registrants.

Sign-ups for Evo 2023 are still live for a little less than two weeks. Evo 2023 is set to run August 4 through 6 in Las Vegas, NV.

Back in the saddle again

I have to admit, it's nice to see Street Fighter thriving like this. Sure, Street Fighter V delivered some pretty great sets over the years. But it always felt like SFV couldn't get out from under its launch state.

Meanwhile, Street Fighter 6 has been an absolute grand slam. As Moyse put it so well, Street Fighter 6 is "a title that radiates excellence." And the players have been showing up, too. Alongside the big Evo numbers, this last week's CEO—where MenaRD took the top spot with both Luke and Blanka—also tallied up a ton of entrants.

Safe to say that Street Fighter 6 has made its impact on the scene. I'm curious to see what these numbers look like moving forward, after the launch year luster wars off. But this year's Evo debut for SF6 promises to be a big one.

The post Street Fighter 6 breaks franchise and all-time Evo records for 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Blanka Ballin'

This past weekend saw Street Fighter 6 make arguably its biggest debut on the international platform to date, as players rolled up to the Daytona Beach Ocean Center for prestigious fighting game tournament CEO 2023 — Three straight days of intense, hard-hitting, and uber-hype fighting action.

While there were plenty of excellent scrappers on deck, including Tekken 7, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Guilty Gear Strive, and The King of Fighters XV, most eyes were on Capcom's recent release, as CEO would offer one of the best opportunities yet to see how SF6 was progressing — both popularity wise and meta wise — on the big stage. When the doors opened, we got something of an answer, as just under 1,100 players showed out for the newest fighter on the block. An incredible number, to say the least.

While one would think that this huge number of players would lead to incredibly cramped timings for brackets, especially in pools, CEO 2023 also made it very clear that SF6 is one of the fastest-playing titles in series history.Many sets, including those in the Top 24, flew by at lightning pace, adding further fuel to the recent arguments that SF6 should consider going Best of Five in a tournament capacity, rather than the traditional Best of Three. I'm sure Manon is well up for that change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981ptSRjrKw

As proceedings drew to an end on Sunday, MenaRD walked away as the 1 vs. 1000, with their Blanka defeating Nephew's Juri to become CEO 2023 Street Fighter 6 champion. The weekend gave pro-pundits and armchair quarterbacks plenty of opportunity to dissect the title in its honeymoon period, with concerns raised over the Drive Rush mechanic, and a realization that the Feet Jokes are not funny anymore and are actually really fuckin' distracting.

But, more importantly than all of that, CEO 2023 was a sign of fine, fine health in the Fighting Game Community, with SF6 laying strong foundations for incoming fighters Mortal Kombat 1 and Tekken 8 to follow. Stalwart titles such as KoF XV, GG Strive, and DBFZ retain their popularity, while classics such as Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and even Def Jam: Fight for New York carried torches for their own passionate fanbases.

If you missed the action, then be sure to check out the stream recordings on CEOGaming Twitch.

The incredible number of SF6 entrants bodes well for the summer season and the FGC at large, and with a slew of fantastic fighters on the market right now, with promising new titles en route, 2024 is set to be an absolutely stellar year for fans of the digital punch-party.

But the feet thing... It's time we all let it go. And yes, that includes me.

The post Over 1000 Street Fighter 6 players showed up for CEO 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Of course, you realize this means war...

Publisher Warner Bros Games and developer Player First Games have officially called time on both Wabbit Season and Duck Season — The extended "beta" for platform fighter MultiVersus has been officially taken offline, bringing brings an end to one of the most questionable fighting game debuts in recent history. MultiVersus is currently expected to relaunch in "early 2024".

The free-to-play scrapper's servers are closed, ending a bizarre "test" phase that simultaneously had multiple seasons and additional paid DLC characters, skins, and stages. While MultiVersus players still have access to local Vs. matches and the fighter’s training mode, (known as “The Lab”), the community is now unable to play online in any capacity. Additionally, the studio has already noted that no refunds will be offered for any items purchased during the beta test, or the paid "Founder's Edition" of the title.

https://twitter.com/multiversus/status/1671966638000709645?s=20

Until the game's eventual relaunch, Player First Games is unlocking every character of the MultiVersus roster. While this could be seen as a form of damage control for the bizarre handling of the title, it no doubt leaves players who had invested their money in the title wondering why they even bothered. These players cannot enjoy the fighter online anymore, and now the characters/skins/content they purchased with real money are now readily available to everybody for the foreseeable future.

The MultiVersus story is morbidly curious. Launching its open beta in July 2022, the title saw incredible success out of the gate, and still holds the Steam record for the most concurrent players of a fighting game in history, as well a reported 20 million total downloads. This was mostly deserved, as MultiVersus is a fun and enjoyable fighter with plenty of character and charisma. Dataminers would also discover solid evidence of some big plans, which included some interesting DLC characters, alternate commentators, and placeholders for franchises such as The Goonies and The Wizard of Oz.

But, as the weeks and months passed, the beta's playercount fell off in staggering fashion, as the more dedicated members of the community were left frustrated by a lack of both content and communication, both of which became sparse by the end of 2022. When 2023 rolled around, the success of the previous summer seemed a distant memory. And, come spring, Player First Games announced that it would close the servers ahead of the title's still-undesignated launch. This left the MultiVersus community with myriad questions. Why was DLC even sold? Why were additional skins, stages, and modes developed? Why even launch a beta in seasons, with paid content if it was, in essence, just a testing phase?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvborgKG7fw

But the big questions, hanging over the situation like a fucking vulture, are When is it coming back, Is it coming back, and Who is it coming back for? If MultiVersus ended its testing phase as, essentially, a "dead game", then why would Warner Bros. have any interest in committing time, money, and marketing into a relaunch? We don't live in an era where publishers release games simply because "They owe it to the community" or just because "They said they would". We arguably never have.

The whole scenario reeks, and only time will tell how this MultiVersus scenario plays out. Either the fun fighter returns, in which case it has to essentially reignite the interest of a market that has already left it in the dust, or it gets quietly canned, in which case it disappears like a thief in the night, holding the cash of those players that showed passion and support in the project and its future.

At this point, MultiVersus essentially has no choice but to continue on its road to release. But, when that release comes, the franchise is essentially starting from scratch all over again. The casual audience has long moved on from the excitement of that record-breaking summer, while the brand's dedicated, money-paying audience understandably feels somewhat abandoned at best and ripped off at worst.

That's all, folks?

The post MultiVersus beta now offline, to return ‘Early 2024’ – but for whom? appeared first on Destructoid.

It Has (Pre)Begun

[Update: While invites to the lucky parties invited to this week's "Stress Test" should have been received yesterday, NetherRealm Studios has konfirmed that the invites are delayed, and are to arrive later than expected.]

Life in the world of Mortal Kombat 1 sure moves fast — It was only a few weeks back that NetherRealm Studios revealed the latest release in the gory fighting franchise, and already we're entering the playable beta stages, with the game launching on PC and console platforms just three months from now.

And if the recent gameplay footage from Summer Game Fest whet your bloodthirsty appetite, you monster, then you could get the opportunity to play Mortal Kombat 1 for yourself next week, with the koming of a new "Online Stress Test", designed to put pressure on the new sequel-prequel's servers ahead of the launch period. The testing period will run from June 23-26 and will offer up one-on-one online action and limited Klassic Tower battles, obviously with something of an abridged roster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV175rgyH0k

If you want to throw your name in Kung Lao's razor hat, then head on over to the official website and register today. Interested parties will need a Warner Bros. gaming account, (you can register at the time if necessary), and the Mortal Kombat 1 Stress Test is only open to PS5 and Xbox Series X users in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Brazil. Lucky Kombatants will then receive access kodes to download the beta client at some point next week, ahead of the head-ripping khaos.

Mortal Kombat 1 launches September 14 on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Our own Eric van Allen has already played a build of the exciting-looking scrapper, and you can read his thoughts right here.

The post (Update) Mortal Kombat 1 ‘stress test’ to take place this weekend appeared first on Destructoid.

Welcome to the new era

NetherRealm Studios is rebooting the Mortal Kombat universe again with Mortal Kombat 1. The slightly confusingly named MK takes everything back to its origins, and then twists it. The characters and combat that have become enshrined in pop culture history are still here, but with adjustments both big and small.

This feeling of old nostalgia blending into new ideas kept coming to my mind while playing Mortal Kombat 1. I got a chance to play some matches of MK1 as part of Summer Game Fest 2023, climbing the classic towers with each of the characters available. And while MK is looking ahead to a new future, there's still a piece of it that loves to honor the past.

[caption id="attachment_386534" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Here comes a Kameo

The biggest, most obvious addition to Mortal Kombat 1 is its Kameo Fighters. Rather than duking it out one-on-one, each player selects a main fighter—the one they'll primarily play as—and a tag-in Kameo Fighter. These characters can be called in to perform special attack every so often, with a cooldown in-between uses.

To be clear, Mortal Kombat 1 is not becoming a tag fighter. These fighters don't have health bars, and can't be fully subbed in. In my playtime, I had Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Kenshi, and Kitana available as main characters. For Kameos, I could choose Kano, Sonya, or Jax.

[caption id="attachment_386535" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Calling in Kameos is easy enough. Hit R1, and they'll hop in to do an assist move. Additionally, different directions and inputs can change things up, like holding R1 to have Sonya charge up her energy projectile. Some can even have effects on both players, like Jax slamming the ground.

These Kameo fighters offer an interesting twist to the usual cadence of Kombat. Picking a certain fighter can help shore up another's weaknesses. Or, you can lean heavy into their strengths. A pairing like Sub-Zero and Sonya can get cooking fast, or a Kitana / Kano duo can be a real pain to approach.

Differences like these help, as Mortal Kombat 1 is still an MK game at its core. I don't pretend to be particularly talented at Mortal Kombat; its story and characters are the draw for me, but I don't really dive deep into the competitive side of things. From that perspective, Mortal Kombat 1 feels a bit odd at first. It's a familiar-feeling game with sudden jolts of difference, thanks to its Kameos.

[caption id="attachment_386538" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Fire god walk with me

This strange sense feels thematically appropriate for Mortal Kombat 1, which takes place in Liu Kang's new era. If you didn't check out Mortal Kombat 11 or its DLC Aftermath (you really should), the story of NetherRealm's time-travel shenanigans sees Liu Kang become a new god and reboot the universe.

It is the same universe, so many familiar faces return. But because of the shift, some things have changed. The most notable is the shift in dynamics between characters; Liu Kang is a Raiden-like figure, who seems to be maintaining order in his new world.

The recent SGF trailer hints at other changes. Kitana seems to be attendant to Mileena, and Kung Lao is filling Liu Kang's shoes as Earthrealm's fighter. And Raiden is... just some dude with lightning powers, I guess? I'm curious to see where all of this goes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnVTPkCWzcI

Aside from shifting those roles, though, my gameplay at SGF showed that Mortal Kombat 1 still has some nostalgia for its roots. Sonya, Kano, and Jax all appear in throwback outfits, in what feels like an homage to the actual first Mortal Kombat. It's also worth mention that MK1 is absolutely gorgeous. Everything, from the character models and backgrounds to the brutal Fatalities (and the one Brutality I got by accident) look fantastic.

I will say, the Fatalities I saw didn't do too much for me. The almost-cartoonish, Itchy and Scratchy ones are more my style, and the ones I saw didn't quite hit that mark, outside of maybe Liu Kang's. There is, apparently, one where Jax grows to massive proportions and stomps on someone. So that's pretty neat.

[caption id="attachment_386536" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

More-tal Kombat

My gameplay session largely consisted of seeing how the new Kameo fighters played. And for intense, competitive fans of MK, it does seem like the assist options could open up some interesting combo routes and options. It certainly felt great when everything clicked for me, and I got a smooth combo with both my main and Kameo fighter rolling.

For "kasual" fans, I think the appeal will be where it's been for those who like to dip in and out of NetherRealm's titles: the world of Mortal Kombat. The studio is starting from an interesting position, trying to play around with the established canon while building a new one. And that could be a pretty interesting universe to explore in gruesome, gory detail.

Mortal Kombat 1 will hit PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch on September 19.

The post Mortal Kombat 1 is a new era, but still loves its legacy appeared first on Destructoid.

Stars in their Eyes (and over their Heads)

One of the best elements of fighting games is how much their characters and worlds lend themselves to the creativity of the fan community, who adapt the games and lore to their own artistic projects and showcases — Case in point, this great cosplay video, which sees a handful of World Warriors gather together to celebrate the launch of Capcom's Street Fighter 6.

Directed by D Piddy, shot by Alive Alf, and starring a bevy of notable cosplayers, the cosplay video sees a host of Street Fighter 6 characters, squaring up in preparation for the new tournament. While the video mostly centers on poster boy Luke, (portrayed by Johnny Junkers), and a busy day in the life of a street fighter, we also get appearances from Chun-Li (Caytie Cosplay), Zangief (Bane Armstrong), Cammy (Vamplettes), and Kimberly (Jahara Jayde - No Pout).

D Piddy themselves also takes to the floor as the tonic-gushing vigilante, Jamie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjR_iqxgZbY

Luke's day is busy enough, but it's thrown into full chaos by the arrival of Juri Han (Jane Sin), which leads to a brief throwdown between pals. Additionally, Manon (Kitty Kaboom) does a spot of couture shopping, and even Sakura (Lucky Lai) pops her head up to remind Capcom she needs to be added as DLC. The whole shebang is backed by the official Street Fighter 6 theme song "Not on the Sidelines" by Rocco 808 & Randy Marx.

Check it out, a lot of wonderful, creative talent on display.

You can keep up to speed on more of D Piddy's projects over on their official Twitter.

Street Fighter 6 is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. Be sure to check out our newly launched and ever-growing guide hub for hints and tips on all of the game’s main modes, as well as my thoughts on who needs to join the roster post-launch.

The post Rad Street Fighter 6 cosplay video sees World Warriors duke it out appeared first on Destructoid.

Requiescat in Pace

Bandai Namco has confirmed that its 2012 sword-swinger Soulcalibur V is to be delisted from digital storefronts next week. As of Monday, June 19, the fighting sequel and its DLC will no longer be available to purchase from the PlayStation and Xbox stores.

"Valiant Warriors - Soul Calibur V is taking its final curtain call on the stage of history and will be sunset on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on June 19, 2023," said the publisher on Twitter. "The base game and all associated DLC will no longer be available for purchase. Thank you for your continued support."

https://twitter.com/soulcalibur/status/1668075650299879424?s=20

While it was neither confirmed nor denied by Bandai Namco, it is assumed that all players who have purchased the title will still have access to the game. Soulcalibur V is not a backward-compatible game for modern platforms, nor is it a part of Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. As such, the delisting only affects the native PS3/Xbox 360 users. Better hold on to those discs, archivists.

The most recent entry in the franchise, Soulcalibur VI, launched in 2018 on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post Soulcalibur V is being delisted from digital storefronts next week appeared first on Destructoid.

So long to a troubled, but memorable iteration

_{[One of the community's most dedicated fighting game fans, Virtua Kazama, prepared a few words for the departure of Capcom's Street Fighter V, a game which will be remained for its notorious launch and divisive gameplay, but also for creating great tournament moments and, ultimately turning its fortunes around. - Moyse]}

Street Fighter V… where do I begin?

Seems just like yesterday when I wrote a blog about saying goodbye to SFIV, you came out with a rocky start. I remember back in 2016 while I was working at Best Buy that I got the game and played it despite how barebones the game came out. The game didn’t have a proper story mode until a few months later and that wasn’t good either. For the casual players, they didn’t get enough content, but the competitive players got what they needed.

The main gameplay mechanic that was introduced in SFV was the V-System, which gave three skills to use: V-Skill, V-Trigger, and V-Reversal. All of them use the V-Meter, which is completely separate from the Super meter. The base roster gave us 16 characters, including the mainstays returning from SFIV (Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Zangief, M. Bison (Dictator), Vega (Claw), Dhalsim, and Cammy), brand new characters (Necalli, Rashid, F.A.N.G., and Laura), and characters we haven’t seen in years (Birdie, Karin, R. Mika, and Charlie Nash).

A year before the release, us fans were able to try the game out through the beta, and yes: the beta would have some issues to work out in terms of online connectivity. But the gameplay did give us some concerns because it felt different compared to SFIV. For some, it was refreshing, because we didn’t have to deal with the Focus Attacks and Ultras anymore, but for others, they weren’t too big a fan about the new gameplay itself.

It was a time when Street Fighter V went full speed on the eSports experience, having the game appear on tournaments on big networks like ESPN 2 and TBS for example. Yeah, EVO 2016 airing on ESPN 2 was a huge deal and it was a time to show the world what the FGC is made of.

It also had the highest number of entrants, with 5,000+ players at EVO 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljUonlW402Q&list=PLtQAiM1Y5luzZFPzuERYfWu3RsXF5spdc

Looking back, it was a mixed emotion. It had both the good with the FGC support, but it also had the bad with the casual fans that have been around since the beginning or newcomers who just want to have fun. I personally admit that I’ve lost my way as well since I thought that it was going to be the new wave for the future of fighting games and I was wrong. Casual players were left high and dry due to the lack of single-player content that it had when it first came out.

It wasn’t until 2018 that things were about to turn around with Arcade Edition. The game received major changes from brand new moves, a fixed online experience, a revamped training mode, brand new interface graphics, two brand new gameplay modes, a second V–Trigger that everyone can use, and more. The best part about it is that it was a free update for those who already own SFV, which made it easier for us because we didn’t want to buy an update unless we wanted to play the game on PC or another console. Then again, it was only released for the PS4 and PC, followed by an coin-op release one year later with Street Fighter V: Type Arcade.

I do recall a time when SFV: Arcade Edition was out, there was an issue with the online play since Capcom attempted to try Rollback Netcode for the first time, and then someone from Brazil was able to fix the netcode without issue. Online issues aside, SFV: Arcade Edition was a total improvement over the first iteration of SFV. But it would not be the end.

Two years later, we would see the release of Street Fighter V: Champion Edition. This would include an option to select a second V-Skill, as well as more balances and changes. Once Season 5 was released, we were later introduced to another gameplay change with the V-Shift ability, which would serve as a predecessor to a certain mechanic that would later be used in a future game which should be out sooner than later.

Even when COVID hit, the game still managed to survive without issue as well. Capcom Pro Tour was relegated to online tournaments until 2022 when the situation became better. The final Capcom Cup for SFV happened on February 19, 2023 with Capcom Cup XI where MenaRD represented the Dominican Republic and won the tournament. It was hype overall!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maxQhSYcMwI

Let’s also take a look at how much the roster evolved. Season 1, we had a lot of returning characters such as Balrog, Guile, Ibuki, and Juri returning from SF4, while two characters that we haven’t seen in a long time, Alex and Urien from SFIII, made their triumphant return.

Season 2, we had one returning character in the form of Akuma (Gouki), the official debuts of Ed (who appeared in SFIV as part of Balrog’s ending), Zeku (who first appeared in Street Fighter Alpha 2 as an NPC) and Kolin (Gill’s assistant from SFIII), the official debut of Menat (who was introduced to this game), and we saw the addition of Abigail, who was a boss character in Final Fight. 

By the time Season 3 came out, we also saw more fan-favorite characters return such as Blanka, Cody, Sagat, and Sakura (all returning from SFIV), while we saw the official debut of Falke and G. Season 4 saw more returning characters such as E. Honda, Poison and Seth (returning from SF4), the epic return of Gill from SFIII, the debut of Kage (another alter-ego of Ryu), and the addition of Lucia from Final Fight 3.

Lastly, when Season 5 came out, we had the return of Dan and Rose (returning from SFIV), the debut of Eleven (who is a prototype of Twelve from SFIII), the epic return of Oro from SFIII, the addition of Akira from Rival Schools (complete with her brother Daigo), and the debut of Luke, who would later become the new protagonist for Street Fighter 6. Overall, we ended Champion Edition with 46 characters total!

As we say goodbye to Street Fighter V, we will remember the good times and the challenging times that it had. I admit that the game didn’t have a proper launch the way it was intended and that it could have been a lot better if it had more content at launch, but it did allow them to learn several lessons from the developer’s side such as listening to the feedback from both the casual and competitive communities.

Always remember that you can never leave the casual fans who don’t play fighting games competitively behind. It took you two updates, but you managed to improve over time and, ultimately, survive it all.

Street Fighter 6… It’s now your time to shine!

_{You can follow Virtua Kazama for FGC news and gameplay over on Twitch.}

The post Promoted Cblog: Farewell, Street Fighter V… appeared first on Destructoid.

It'll be extremely limited

Bandai Namco announced today that fans can now sign up (right here) for the limited Tekken 8 Closed Network Test. The announcement indicates participants will be chosen based on a first-come, first-served basis, but also mentions it will be a very limited test.

While all platforms will have access to the Closed Network Test from July 28th at 10AM until July 31st at 9AM CEST, Playstation 5 participants only will get an extra weekend from July 21st at 10AM until July 24th at 9AM CEST. Those playing on a console will not require an online subscription service (like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold) to participate in the test.

In anticipation of the test, Bandai Namco released a new trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh5udl01YXc

If you were lucky enough to play in the closed alpha tests in March, you will notice an all-new "Heat" battle system has been implemented based on feedback from the alpha. This new system removes the old "Heat Energy" mechanic and adds a whole new element to the action.

All playable characters will have a new "Heat Smash" command for use with the new system.

[caption id="attachment_385624" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Bandai Namco[/caption]

The July closed network test will have all currently announced content - here's a recap and where to sign up

For the first time, you will be able to play as any of the 16 announced characters, including the recently revealed Bryan Fury. You will also be able to face off on all five revealed stages: Urban Square, Yakushima, Rebel Hangar, Sanctum and Arena. The Closed Network Test will feature online head-to-head ranked matches and cross-platform matchmaking.

Not only does Tekken 8 look like a lot of fun, but the new Heat battle system also sounds interesting. The recently released Street Fighter 6 has been consuming a lot of my time lately, but who can't make a little room in their schedule to practice Nina?

Again, the signup link is right here!

The post Sign up for a chance to join the limited July Tekken 8 Closed Network Test appeared first on Destructoid.

An impressive sight

A Street Fighter 6 treadmill streamer has impressed fighting game enthusiasts worldwide on social media. Twitter user @thatMarcWithaC uploaded video Monday of the streamer, known as TalesofMrE, playing SF6 online while walking on a treadmill with his fight stick.

The British streamer has straps around his shoulders to keep it in place as he walks forward. What makes this even more impressive is that TalesofMrE achieved a Perfect K.O. while playing Zangief in this setup.

[caption id="attachment_384792" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via TalesofMrE's Twitch channel[/caption]

Playing with a Street Fighter 6 treadmill setup

With almost 1,000 followers on Twitch, TalesOfMrE took his treadmill setup online in pursuit of the prestigious Diamond rank. He said he "almost tripped" during his June 5 stream but the streamer still managed to defeat his opponent, accompanied by an evil laugh. While the wire of his fight stick looks hazardously close, TalesofMrE notes that "the perspective of the camera makes it look a lot closer to [his] legs than in reality."

https://twitter.com/thatMarcWithaC/status/1665807673093242881

TalesofMrE eventually achieved Diamond rank, one of the highest ranks you can get in Street Fighter 6, sitting just under Master. Getting a decent workout and playing a superb Street Fighter experience sounds like a lot of fun. Still, succeeding in fighting games at that level requires plenty of concentration and precision, making this feat even more impressive.

When not fighting it out online with bizarre control setups, TalesofMrE also works in the FGC as a community manager at Square Enix!

The post Street Fighter 6 streamer defeats opponents while on a treadmill appeared first on Destructoid.

How many arms do you recognize?

Capcom has proudly announced that recent release Street Fighter 6 has hit the one million sales mark.

The scrapper sequel, which launched on PC and console platforms on June 2, had an enormously successful weekend, with over one million players passing through its Fighting Ground, Battle Hub, and World Tour modes. SF6 received positive reviews across the board for its great visuals, exciting new mechanics, and magnetic roster of new and familiar World Warriors. The response to three previous betas helped pave the way for the title's launch day success.

Capcom released a new image that sees series veteran Ryu fist-bumping with many recognizable roster stars, including Ken, Blanka, Chun-Li, Dhalsim, Elena, R. Mika, Cammy, and others.

https://twitter.com/StreetFighter/status/1665795932917575682?s=20

With these new figures, the Street Fighter franchise now boasts a mighty 50 million lifetime sales, a deserved number for a series that, ultimately, wrote the blueprint for the fighting game genre. While the success of 1991's Street Fighter II can be considered the de facto release in the franchise's storied history, later games such as Street Fighter Alpha 2, Street Fighter III: Third Strike, and Ultra Street Fighter IV are similarly important in keeping the lifeblood of the series pumping from generation to generation.

Street Fighter 6 is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. Be sure to check out our guide hub for the title, as well as my thoughts on which characters should arrive via the DLC train.

The post Massive fistbump signals one million Street Fighter 6 sales appeared first on Destructoid.

I always wanted 20 of these...

In Capcom's Street Fighter 6, World Tour allows the custom player protagonist to befriend all 18 members of the latest World Warrior roster. In addition, players can unlock artwork, emotes, camera mode poses, titles, and backstories for each of these nose-breaking chummers. Ultimately, fully "deepening your bond" with a character will unlock their alt attire, along with 10 color variants, for other modes.

Deepening your bond with Ryu, Kimberly, Marisa, and Co. ultimately comes down to leveling up, talking to them, utilizing their styles in World Tour mode, and performing bizarre, non-sequitur missions. But the quickest way to Dee Jay's heart, much like anybody, is through expenditure. Buy gifts for the characters, and they'll open up their hearts in no time.

Except Juri, but she's a bit sad and we need to look after her.

[caption id="attachment_384184" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

What should I buy the Masters in Street Fighter 6?

So, if you're looking to offer a little retail therapy to your favorite characters, here is a guide to the best items to buy each fighter, along with where to purchase the item. As I noted in my review, World Tour is a bit shabby in places, feeling a little "Statement of Intent" rather than fully featured. For example, each character only wants one specific gift, which means you basically have to buy it for them 20+ times. Yes, the exact same gift.

I cannot help but feel there were probably bigger plans for adding more gifts, but development time ran out. Oh, and you'll need this guide, as while some of the gifts make sense, others are just baffling.

• Luke - Red Elevator 8 Game (Jamaica Merchant)
• Jamie - Bao Bao Bro Sticker (Jamaica Merchant)
• Manon - Beaujolais (Jamaica Merchant)
• Kimberly - Heart of Love DVD (Jamaica Merchant)
• Marisa - Cold Tomato Soup (France Merchant)
• Lily - Celery Chips (Jamaica Merchant)
• JP - Antique Playing Cards (Jamaica Merchant) 
• Dee Jay - Lukewarm Beer (Brazil Merchant)
• Juri - Wrench (India Merchant)
• Cammy - Jellied Eel (Jamaica Merchant)
• Ryu - Instant Soba (Udon Shop, Metro City)
• Ken - Cook book. COOK BOOK. (Mexico Merchant)
• Blanka - Knock-off Blanka Chan (Jamaica Merchant)
• Zangief - Wooden Bear (Russia Merchant)
• Chun-Li - Canned Herring (Dora Shop, Nayshall)
• Dhalsim - Mild Curry (Tsanpa Shop, Nayshall
• E. Honda - Rubber Duckies (Italy Merchant)
• Guile - Natto (Japan Merchant)

Each of the above items will increase the Master's respective bond by 5 points, whereas most items only increase it by 2 or 3 points. Further points are earned by winning sparring matches, completing character missions, and giving appreciative answers in conversations. Additionally, generic items such as Double KO Gum, Fighter's Magazine, and Prepaid Cards increase bonds by between 1-3 points.

[caption id="attachment_384185" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Finally, there are special "Ultra" gifts which are unlocked by completing quests for the Masters, these items are one-offs and can only be given to their intended recipient. They add a huge 30-40 points, and are a little more obvious as to their intended owner. (This section is work-in-progress)

• Luke -  Strawberry Fighter 6 (Get from Ken)
• Jamie - 
• Manon - Medal (get from Zangief)
• Kimberly -
• Marisa - 
• Lily - 
• JP - 
• Dee Jay - HeartBB CD (Get from Luke)
• Juri - Pricey Check (Get from Manon)
• Cammy - Neco Keychain (Get from Chun-Li)
• Ryu - Japanese Confectionary (Get from E. Honda)
• Ken - 
• Blanka - Locket (Get from Lily)
• Zangief - Weight Set (Get from Marisa)
• Chun-Li - Citrus Perfume (Get from Juri)
• Dhalsim - 
• E. Honda - Tirimasu Boba (Get from Cammy)
• Guile - 

You'll obviously need top dollar to pay for this stuff, so quick out our guide for quickly earning Zenny in game. Once the respective Master's bond reaches 100, you have essentially exhausted the unlocks for that character and will also earn their alt costume. There are plans to add further characters to World Tour as the roster expands over the game's lifetime. But, for now, go and make some friends. And ignore the fact that some of the characters are weirdly aggressive about receiving your gifts.

Except Juri, because she's a bit sad and we need to look after her...

Street Fighter 6 is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox. Visit our guide hub right here.

The post Street Fighter 6 World Tour: What to gift the World Warriors appeared first on Destructoid.

950,000 play Honda

After a year of fervent hype, Capcom released Street Fighter 6 to the public on Friday, and already the fist-throwin' sequel is off to an incredible start, with the one-on-one fighter entertaining a staggering one million players over the course of its launch weekend.

This wild number was revealed earlier this morning on social media by the series' new director, Taka Nakayama, who thanked fans for their amazing support and posted some cute artwork of one of the title's newcomers, Kimberly Jackson. According to Nakayama, this figures brings the series total "players" to over 50 million. Given that the most recent recorded data suggests that the series sits around 49 million lifetime sales, we can likely make the fair adaptation of "players" to "sales".

https://twitter.com/StreetFighterJA/status/1665616932303941632?s=20

I played Street Fighter 6, more or less, for the entire weekend, with the lobbies packed out with weird custom characters and endless queues of Ranked and Casual throwdown. The Avatar Battle mode was also surprisingly popular, (I'm on a 16-win streak right now), as was the Game Center, running several Capcom classics. It should also be noted that save for a few fights, online was silky smooth, even in the packed-to-capacity lobbies. Custom Rooms still have some minor bugs, unfortunately, that prevented me sending invites to some players. I went to bed at 04:00 am two nights in a row.

I, ironically, haven't done this since the launch of Street Fighter IV.

Of course, fighting games can and do drop off over the course of their initial run, but SF6 already has an unyielding confidence about it, and while the lobbies will not be this chock-a-block forever, the title clearly has a huge future ahead of it in regards to local enjoyment and the competitive scene.

Street Fighter 6 is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. Be sure to check out our newly launched and ever-growing guide hub for hints and tips on all of the game's main modes.

The post Street Fighter 6 saw over one million players in launch weekend appeared first on Destructoid.

Rough timing as always, SNK

SNK has announced that it will be holding an open beta next week in order to test out the rollback netcode update heading toward its world-class punch-up The King of Fighters XIII Global Match. The beta will take place on PS4 from June 5 through to June 11.

The beta will allow all PS4 owners to check out an updated version of the excellent 2010 sequel, which is the final KoF title to date to feature 2D animation for its super-fast and highly intense gameplay. Several modes will be available to all, including Practice Lobby, Online Vs. and Customization. Over the course of the six-day beta, SNK will be gathering data to analyze how well the new netcode is sitting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCJjObBRrk4

It's marvelous that KoF XIII is getting the upgrade, as it is truly one of SNK's greatest releases of all time, and fully deserving a life within this generation and the next. It's frustrating that, as they always seem to do, SNK has picked an odd time to run this King of Fighters XIII beta, literally days after the launch of Capcom's Street Fighter 6. But regardless, this is good news for the KoF faithful, and here's hoping that the love for KoF XIII can prevail in both the online and competitive markets.

King of Fighters XIII Global Match is available now on PC. It is coming to PS4 and Nintendo Switch in the near future.

The post King of Fighters XIII Global Match Online beta to be held next week appeared first on Destructoid.

The path to victory begins here

If you picked up Street Fighter 6 today, then chances are that you're feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the characters, modes, mechanics, control systems, and more. It's understandable, fighting games are not easy. In fact, they're one of the hardest and most skillful genres in the whole of gaming. Always have been.

Victory isn't a matter of learning the biggest combo and performing it over and over again. It's a long road of building upon yourself, learning the intricacies of the characters, learning what to do, and — equally as important — when, where, and why to do it. But while I will never claim to be a fighting game expert, I can at least help you to start finding your feet, and the rest is up to you and your patience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_3cIvwbo98

Below are several individual guides written for Destructoid, but collated here for your reading pleasure. They focus on the new mechanics of Street Fighter 6, specifically the Drive Meter, while also taking a look at instances such as Burnout, and offering advice on characters that you should check out. None of these guides explain How to Win Online, no guide can tell you that, regardless of its "shocked face" thumbnail.

Winning comes as a result of playing better moment-to-moment. Learn to do that, and winning follows automatically. Wishing you luck on your journey with Street Fighter 6. This article will be updated over the coming weeks as more guides are added. Don't get disheartened, go at your own pace, and understand that losing is part of improving.

But do accept the hardest pill to swallow in fighting games: You have to put in the practice.

Street Fighter 6 Mechanics Guides

• Five characters beginners should check out
• Drive Impact, explained
• Drive Reversal, explained
• Drive Rush, explained
• Drive Rush Shortcut, explained
• Drive Parry, explained
• Burnout, explained
• How to Taunt
• How to perform Screw Piledriver consistently
• How to change your controls in Battle Hub

World Tour & Other Guides

• How to Change Your Appearance
• How to Deepen Masters Bond/Gift Guide
• How to Earn More Zenny
• Voice Actors & Cast List
• Fighter Coins Explained

The post Here’s are our guides to mechanics and more in Street Fighter 6 appeared first on Destructoid.

Choose Your Fighter

Capcom's Street Fighter 6 has been unleashed on the public, bringing with it a roster of new and familiar faces with which to begin your journey to the top of the world... Or at least the top of your street. Every new Street Fighter brings in a squad of new and returning players, ready to lock horns in offline and online competition, and hoping to get a few good rounds under the belt in the early going.

Street Fighter 6 has launched with 18 World Warriors, all of which are, at least from first impressions, fully viable characters. But whoever you fancy taking into battle, there are, as always, several faces that will be particularly good at getting you up and running in the early going. Now, it is important that you play as a character that you vibe with. After all, you wanna roll with someone that you dig.

But whether is the rapid-fire excitement of Kimberly, the dangerous complexities of JP, or the stance-based combat of Chun-Li that appeals to you — You would do well to spend some time with the following five characters, especially if you're starting out your Street Fighter journey. The road to victory begins at the Character Select screen, so consider taking a look at these Fab Five Fighters.

Here are five good characters for beginners to explore, presented in no particular order.

[caption id="attachment_382259" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Luke

The final fighter of Street Fighter V, and the poster boy for Street Fighter 6, Luke is considered the all-rounder of the new generation, and is extremely capable at long distance and up-close-and-personal. Luke mixes speed, ability, and technique to provide dangerous tools in all situations.

Luke's Sand Blast projectiles are easily executed and cover a lot of ground, while his Flash Knuckle attacks will help teach you combo and juggle skills. Luke also has reliable air attacks, while his Avenger sequences allow you to close the gap quickly without having to master the Drive Rush mechanic just yet.

He's also a PMC asshole, but let's try not to hold that against him.

[caption id="attachment_382251" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Guile

The original Family Man is an extremely powerful character in the right hands. For the beginner, however, the Street Fighter veteran is key in teaching charge mechanics. Guile's Specials are relatively uncomplicated, while his solid defense keeps his game plan fairly basic. Boom 'n' Kick, Boom 'n' Kick.

Playing Guile not only starts you off with an easy-to-understand, but rock-solid moveset — as well as an education in Charge timing — but if you choose to stick with Mr. USA, you will soon see how his initial simplicity evolves into brick wall defense and hugely damaging and reliable offense. Keep your distance, toss out Sonic Booms, and Flash Kick leaping opponents. It's a technique as timeless as the series itself, and will help you learn solid defense and anti-air abilities.

[caption id="attachment_382261" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Lily

Newcomer Lily is definitely a little different from your average Street Fighter all-rounder. The young Thunderfoot Tribe warrior does not have any projectiles, but teaches an excellent crash course in aerial maneuvers and long-range pokes. Spending some time with Lily will help you understand the all-important game of footsies, and being able to understand how important gauging reach is by eye.

Use Lily to explore attacking your opponent while staying just out of reach. Then progress to learning how to cancel long-range pokes into her fast-activating special moves. Lily also has a range of command throws, so you can practice both jumping and dashing into grabs, then learn how to retreat to arm's length for continued prodding and poking of your prey.

[caption id="attachment_382252" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Zangief

In Street Fighter 6, Zangief is perhaps more powerful and dangerous than he has ever been — Able to cause unfathomable amounts of damage from his range of throws, while also afforded new moves to help him close the distance on fireball-tossing opponents, playing with Zangief will teach you patience in defense, and how to build a smothering offense. His Screw Piledriver and Russian Bear Grab will also train you in the ways of half-turns and 360 inputs.

With Zangief, stay calm at long distances, and learn how to use Block and Parry to fend off projectiles. When the time is right, utilize his leaping dropkick (Hold HK in air) and Rolling Wheel Kick (Forward + HK) to approach your opponent, before bringing a fast end to the fight with his staggering catalog of pro-wrestling maneuvers. Zangief will teach you patience and execution, while making every hit count.

[caption id="attachment_382253" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Ryu

As solid as he has ever been, Ryu remains the core of Street Fighter, as much as he is the core of fighting game genre itself. Ryu's toolkit is great, dealing offensive and defensive capabilities at long distance, close-up, in the air, and against airborne opponents. There is a reason he is The Icon of Street Fighter, and age has only fine-tuned his timeless skills.

Use Hadoken, (along with its Denjin powerup), at long distances, while training your anti-air skills with both Shoryuken and his standard Down + HP strike. Practice canceling low attacks into Tastu in order to gain ground and corner the opponent, while mastering canceling his command normal, such as Forward + HP, into Shoryuken. Ryu's Supers are also snugly related to his Specials, making him the best character for practicing Supers, either raw or in the middle of combos.

Ryu makes for a perfect training buddy when it comes to learning every aspect of Street Fighter. From footsies to anti-airs, low attacks into Specials, Specials into Supers. Whichever character you choose to walk the path of the warrior with, learn Ryu — either as your main character or on the side. Playing Ryu will teach you universal skills that will be vital to evolving your game.

The post Five characters Street Fighter 6 beginners should check out appeared first on Destructoid.

Dedicated follower of fashion

Ok, I get it — We all had top laughs making the stupidest-looking avatar we could for Capcom's new scrapper Street Fighter 6. But now you're kinda thinking that you want to shake things up, maybe for the avatar battles, maybe for the goofy World Tour cutscenes, or just because you want to look as good as my own Meiko Kaji gal pictured above.

Like a lot of features in Street Fighter 6, the avatar-changing mechanics are a little tucked away, while still being right there in front of your very eyes, but to make it 100% clear for all y'all...

Here's how you change appearance in Street Fighter 6

Once you've made your avatar, that becomes your default character for World Tour and Battle Hub modes, with only one slot (currently) assigned to each player. If you get bored of your look, (as in that actual physiology of the model, not just the clothes), then there a two backstreet hack 'n' slashers that can give you the nose job of your dreams... Also, an entirely new set of legs and eyes.

The first is located in Metro City, right in the starting locale of Beat Square. It is the Style Lab, located to the right of the central steps in the bustling hub of the city. This looks quite the Nip/Tuck outlet, but given that this flashy-looking joint is located in the same city as Final Fight, I'd seriously question the quality of the surgery that they'd perform.

[caption id="attachment_383581" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

The second body mod center is located in Old Nayshall, in the Central Bazaar area. Just opposite the market look for... erm... Dr. L's Beauty Salon. Reputable. I especially like the security drones hovering outside. Peace of Mind. Either way, visiting either of these centers will reopen the avatar creator and let you tweak your player model or even start again from scratch.

Either way, it will cost a total of 1000 Zenny (the World Tour currency) in order to lock in those changes, so get it right before you get Dressed for Success. Because beauty is a costly business.

[caption id="attachment_383584" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Then again, as Christina once said, you are beautiful, no matter what they say, so whomever you look like in this article's header, it's irrelevant. We are all here for good times at the end of the day.

Break Conventional Rules. Thin the Legs. Grow the Hands. Expand the Head.

The post How to change your appearance in Street Fighter 6 appeared first on Destructoid.

Prep your steel

SNK has announced that its incoming update, bringing a much-needed rollback netcode update to the sword-swingin' Samurai Shodown, has been met with an unfortunate delay, and is now expected to launch later this summer on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

"SNK has been hard at work on the rollback netcode update for Samurai Shodown, originally slated for a spring 2023 release," said the developer in a statement. "The 1st Community Beta Test offered us great insight as to what we needed to improve. However, as a result of various setbacks and extenuating circumstances during development and in light of our ongoing efforts to further enhance player experience, we have made the decision to push back the official release of the update to late summer 2023."

"We deeply apologize to our valued customers and passionate fans who have eagerly awaited this update, as well as for any disappointment this decision has caused."

https://twitter.com/SNKPofficial/status/1664089380242223105?s=20

The studio notes that it intends to hold a second Community Beta Test at some point later in June, on order to further analyze data and fine-tune the new online experience. As I've noted before, Samurai Shodown is a great, highly unique fighter, which stands apart from its contemporaries due to its very specific and deliberate fighting style, which sees high damage landed in just a few hits. Hopefully, the update will help the game's passionate and dedicated community welcome a few newcomers.

Samurai Shodown is available now on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The update will not be applied to the Nintendo Switch edition, however.

The post Samurai Shodown rollback netcode update pushed back to summer appeared first on Destructoid.

Getcha Bimmy on

As if our knuckles weren't already red 'n' raw from the past two years of street-scrollin' smackers, Modus Games has announced that grandaddy brawler Double Dragon will be making its grand return in July, in the form of the previously announced Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons.

Developed by studio Secret Base, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons offers a new twist on the classic side-scrolling franchise, incorporating a permanent tag-team mechanic, a roster of new and returning heroes and villains, and even challenging roguelike elements. Billy Lee, Jimmy Lee, Marian and others will once again be doling out vigilante justice to the warriors of the night. Cleaning out the New York City of 199x as only they know how: At the business end of a back elbow > headbutt combo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c0ff_uZQrY

Sporting a dynamic mission function, Double Dragon Gaiden will task the player with clearing out multiple sectors of the city, taking down gang bosses, and leveling up their squad of scrappers. Earn cash through extended combos and successive battles, before spending those hard-fought gains on upgrades and power-ups for your team. And should you fall in battle, simply regroup, restrategize, and return to the fight, a little stronger, a little wiser, and a little more determined.

It's interesting to see Secret Base adapt the Double Dragon formula in a semi-roguelike capacity, offering new twists on one of the beat-'em-up genre's pioneer titles. And we won't have to wait all that long to find out how well these interesting mechanics synergize. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons launching July 27 on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

The post Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons hits the streets in July appeared first on Destructoid.

I didn't hear no bell...

Every fighting game franchise owes an unpayable debt to Street Fighter.

Oh, sure, Street Fighter wasn't the first slugger on the block, and we can tip our hats to forerunners such as Technos' Karate Champ and Irem's Yie Are Kung Fu for pioneering the genre itself. But, inarguably, it was the 1991 arrival of Capcom's Street Fighter II that truly popularised the one-on-one fighter on a global basis, reinventing competitive gaming, garnering millions of sales in the arcade and home market, and galvanizing itself as one of the premier franchises in history.

Street Fighter II wrote the blueprint that would be followed by every franchise eager to raise fists and feet in its wake. And while a handful of these excellent fighters would go on to achieve amazing success in their own right — building communities, breaking pop culture, and raking in beaucoup bucks — ultimately, they all pay homage to the king. When Street Fighter has the throne, you can't usurp it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_3cIvwbo98&ab_channel=Destructoid

In 2016, however, something went very wrong. That year, Capcom released Street Fighter V, bringing about one of the worst launches in the company's history. As a fighter, SFV was solid, but the launch was a disaster. Capcom delivered an uninspiring, threadbare title, lacking rudimentary features, missing trademark facets, and sporting a miserable U.I. and abominable netcode. Worse still, the title was devoid of charm and personality. It wasn't that Street Fighter V was terrible, it was... empty. Bland. An avatar bearing a familiar name but infused with an apathy that left its world cold and its characters hollow.

In the aftermath of this maligned release, Capcom reevaluated itself. Beginning with 2017's Monster Hunter World, the studio proceeded to knock out a string of hugely successful releases, leading to what is currently the most prosperous period in company history. And this week, seven years on from SFV's notorious debut, the prodigal son returns, determined to showcase improvement, win back its audience, and deliver a top-notch sequel that not only aims to surpass its predecessor, but also stake a claim as one of the greatest entries in the series' decades-long history.

[caption id="attachment_382452" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Street Fighter 6 (PlayStation [PS5 reviewed], PC, Xbox, Arcade)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: June 2, 2023
MSRP: $69.99

Capcom has openly expressed its intent to conceive Street Fighter 6 as something of a "Make Good" for the misgivings of Street Fighter V, while simultaneously presenting a new era of evolution for the legendary series. SF6 bears the hallmarks of this evolution not only in its core fighting systems, but across every element of its presentation. This revitalized approach includes a ground-up redesign of the audio/visual aesthetic, as well as the implementation of the celebrated RE Engine, in a bold effort to present the most feature-filled launch of a Street Fighter title to date.

While "Evolution" might have been the intended term, "Polished" is a far better word to describe the precision with which Capcom has addressed its sequel. The team has not only ensured that the key elements of the fight itself are to the highest standard of player expectation, but also that all of the smaller, equally important details are also addressed. SF6 sports a better ranking system, more attractive menus, fun side activities, slicker online capabilities, battle damage, cooler Vs. screens, sportsmanship rewards, segmented downloads, improved player profiles, and new training tools.

This is not to mention the inventive "Modern" and "Dynamic" control schemes, as well as the sequel's fantastic range of overdue accessibility features. And we're still only scratching the surface of the quality on display here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EnsDg6DCTE

Welcome to the Punch Party

For the majority of fighting game fans, "Fighting Ground" & "Battle Hub" are where it's at, packed out with an array of familiar modes including Online & Offline Vs., Team Battle, Combo Trials, Training Mode, and Character Guides. Also on deck are individual Arcade Stories for our World Warriors, as well as the comical Extreme Battle, which allows for chaotic throwdowns disrupted by a variety of modifiers.

It is in Fighting Ground that players will become best acquainted with Street Fighter 6's 18-strong roster, which features familiar faces such as Ken, Blanka, and Ryu from Streets, mixed in with fan favorites such as a (particularly foul-mouthed) Cammy and my own main squeeze, Juri. While some have balked at the concept of launching with "only" 18 characters, it should be noted that SF6 hosts some of the best iterations of these characters to date. Equally of note are seven newcomers — all of whom are extremely inviting, and many of whom boast mechanics that are wholly new to the franchise.

It is testament to the SF6 roster that these new fighters have already been warmly welcomed by the fanbase. Marisa, Manon, Jamie, and co. have created perhaps the biggest buzz newcomers have ever received in SF history. For the first time in a very long time, there is not only a desire to master multiple characters, but almost a stalemate of choice when it comes to experimenting with the debutantes.

Hope you like JP. You'll be seeing a lot of that prick online.

[caption id="attachment_382451" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Street Fighter 6 cast of skull-smackin' reprobates is given life through the sequel's trump card: it's vibrant aesthetic and full-throated personality. Boasting an "underground" vibe, SF6 feels electric, bursting with character and charisma, and awash in lurid color and bass-heavy beats. While the graffiti-inspired visuals and hip-hop flavor of the piece might not be to everyone's taste, there's no denying that SF6 has been jolted with the identity defibrillator that SFV sorely needed — Just try to ignore some of those bars in the background raps. Woof.

Our World Warriors have genuine presence and character, emboldened with fantastic models, series-best animation, and charismatic voice work. Street Fighter 6 is dripping with personality and bubbling with dynamism. Its exciting presentation style, superbly designed roster, myriad special effects, great character themes, and selection of colorful and lively arenas are the pulsating heart of the entire title.

It feels whole. It feels vigorous. It feels alive.

[caption id="attachment_382233" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

Driving Miss Crazy

Ironically, it's redundant to spend too much of your precious time describing Street Fighter 6's actual gameplay, given Capcom's confidence in having dropped three betas and a demo to the player base. (You can also read my thoughts in previous articles). But it goes without saying that, once the bell rings, Street Fighter 6 offers spirited, breathless combat, substituting a modicum of speed from its predecessors for increased impact. The RE Engine is a surprisingly great fit for 2.5D fighting, (whether by design or by accident), and allows for stellar animation, smooth movement and dazzling effects.

The backbone of Street Fighter 6 is the Drive System, which allows for the armored Drive Impact, the dramatic Drive Parry, and the sneaky Drive Rush abilities, as well as an array of Overdrive moves. It is through management of this meter that the player dictates the flow of the fight, ensuring that they have the resources to stay in an advantageous position while being readily open to overspending when victory is in sight.

The key boon provided by Drive is that it provides opportunity for creativity. While SFV suffered from a prison of optimal combos — which essentially saw 90% of players fight in the exact same way — Street Fighter 6 forces moment-to-moment adaptation, based entirely on the given resources of the two combatants at any one time. It is through the Drive skills that we will see more varied combo routes, distinct playstyles, and character evolution in the coming years. This in itself places Street Fighter 6 over other iterations in regard to its meta-changing potential.

And yes, I know that Drive Impact seems too powerful right now... Give it time. We'll adapt.

[caption id="attachment_382456" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

The Ballad of Bosch

Essentially a hybrid of Street Fighter and Sega's Like a Dragon, "World Tour" sees the player create a custom avatar, (a feature that has already resulted in an abomination of ungodly creatures populating the lobbies), before dallying around cityscapes and completing subquests, all while getting into a series of random rumbles on a loosely defined "Search for Strength". As you progress through this mode, your character hooks up with each of the World Warriors, learning new techniques with which to build a bespoke moveset. Ever wanted to have Hadoken, Flash Kick, Yoga Teleport, AND Screw Piledriver? Well, have I got the character for you, kiddo.

While World Tour does a great job at helping players get to grips with the basics of Street Fighter, it is, ultimately, a lackluster experience. The problem lies in the narrative and its relation to the mode itself. To be clear, World Tour is not a NetherRealm-esque "Cinematic Story Mode". In fact, upon meeting each World Warrior, the player is treated to a splendid introductory cutscene, before said character chooses to basically stand in one spot and dole out text messages for the remainder of the story. None of the World Warriors interact with each other over the course of the story, generally existing only to offer up new moves, kick your ass in sparring sessions, and passive-aggressively accept your gifts.

Cammy did not want the rom-com DVD.

[caption id="attachment_382457" align="alignnone" width="640"] BUONO!! BUONO!! BUONO!![/caption]

Always the Son (Son)

World Tour focuses on the adventures of your voiceless protagonist and Everyone's Favorite New Character, Bosch — a tale of stolen bus stops, a neutered Mad Gear Gang, and the sort of narrative high-stakes that see Bosch kidnapped and Luke telling you to "Go to Jamaica and bring me back a memento" in response. Remember in SFV when Alex thought Dhalsim — DHALSIM — was a carjacker? Well, similarly non-sequitur writing applies here. Only the delightfully heinous JP shines through, easily donning the mantle of the series' most despicable villain since M. Bison.

Also... Juri seems really fucking depressed. If she wants coffee and a foot rub I'm here for her.

While World Tour isn't the "Street Fighter RPG" some might have hoped, it's not without its charm, and represents only one element of the package of great extra-curricular activities. The Arcade Mode unlocks lovely artwork and fun bonus stages; the combo trials are challenging; the avatar builder is hilarious in its Frankensteinian potential, and the Game Center is packed out with rotating Capcom classics, including gems Magic Sword, Final Fight, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Son Son, and others.

Hey, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo is here. That's worth the price of admission alone.

[caption id="attachment_382459" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

As those who have played the beta can attest, load times are lightning fast and the rollback netcode is superb, offering the tightest online in Street Fighter history. For review (PS5), I can report that SF6 sports a steady, reliable frame rate when in Performance Mode, though this is at the cost of some crispness on the character models. It should be noted that I experienced some screen tearing on my display when I activated the "Input Delay Reduction" feature, but this may vary with monitors.

Battle Hub represents the more social nature of SF6's multiplayer portion, offered as an optional gateway to online matches. Personally, I love it, with its hilariously broken Avatar Battles, awkward emoting, and terrifying rogues' gallery of custom monstrosities. It makes for a neat hangout if you have no pals like me... (except for my girlfriend Juri, of course.)

You'd probably like me to address the inevitable elephant of monetization, so let's do it.

Street Fighter 6 follows a seasonal DLC pattern, with the first season of post-release characters already announced. In addition, Capcom will be adopting a "Battle Pass" format for SF6, ("Fighter's Pass") with free and premium tracks offering rewards for players. Costumes, colors, avatar gear, and other items will be purchasable via "Fighter Coins" (real currency) and "Drive Tickets" (earned in-game). Each character currently has one alternate costume that can be unlocked through playing World Tour.

The specifics regarding all of the above are expected to roll out in the near future.

[caption id="attachment_382453" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Destructoid[/caption]

You've got a lot to learn before you beat me...

While the disappointment of World Tour, and the concerning nature of monetization weighs on the title, it cannot be emphasized enough that Street Fighter 6 is a magnificent fighter. From its wide array of modes and features, through its exciting cast, new mechanics, solid performance, and impressive visuals, Street Fighter 6 is a title that radiates excellence. There was a clear commitment by the team to deliver a thoroughly engaging fighter for both the dedicated SF community as well as curious onlookers, and this commitment has been fulfilled, resulting in a year-best release and a legitimate GOTY contender.

Fighting games are always a tough review. Every player has their own expectations on how any given example should look, control, and flow, with distinct designs speaking to distinct players. This is why we have such a vibrant and energetic competitive scene, populated with such passionate individuals. Regardless, in Street Fighter 6, Capcom has made a declaration to redraw FGC focus onto its flagship fighting title... perhaps the flagship fighting title... and has successfully delivered an outstanding contender for this coming generation of fighting games. Street Fighter is back on the throne.

And when you come at the king, you best not miss.

While not all of the design decisions and ambitious new modes hit their mark, Capcom's commitment to producing a polished and superlative fighter is readily apparent throughout this stellar release. A compelling roster, exciting visuals, crisp performance, and thrilling mechanics ensure that this prestige sequel is set to champion local, online, and competitive scenes for years to come.

Simply put, Street Fighter 6 is one of the very best entries in series history.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Street Fighter 6 appeared first on Destructoid.

The Man who Laughs

Bandai Namco has revealed yet another veteran fighter headed to the roster of its upcoming sequel, Tekken 8 — And following on from the fun 'n' games of Lili Rochefort and Asuka Kazama, this newest trailer brings a whole lot more darkness, fear, and pain, with the return of psychopathic mercenary Bryan Fury!

Making his debut in 1997's Tekken 3, Bryan Fury is a former Hong Kong Interpol agent who was killed in a shootout, also involving celebrated detective Lei Wu-Long. Fury's corpse was rushed to the laboratory of the moral-free Dr. Abel, who wished to experiment on reanimated bodies for the purpose of future warfare. Now essentially a reanimated half-cyborg, Bryan's mind is all but completely lost, creating a sociopathic weapon capable of incredible destruction without as much as a raised eyebrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA0cwK2V4og

Fury's new trailer reveals that our favourite zombie's hard-hunting punches and trademark backfists are in full effect, along with his capabilities for superhuman feats of strength, defying the power of his Actually Alive brethren. Of course, Fury's penchant for maniacal laughter rings through the entire trailer, because if you can't have a good ol' chuckle when you're dead, when can you?

Bryan Fury's trailer was, unfortunately, leaked a little ahead of schedule, upsetting Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada. But the preview finally got its official debut at the climax of this weekend's Combo Breaker tournament in Illinois, where the madman's return was welcome by the Tekken faithful.

Tekken 8 is currently in development for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X. It is tentatively expected to launch late in 2023 or early 2024. Be sure to check out the previous trailers for  Jin Kazama, Marshall Law, Nina Williams, King, Paul Phoenix, Jack-8, Lars Alexandersson, Kazuya Mishima, Jun Kazama, Ling Xiayou, Asuka Kazama, Leroy Smith, Lili Rochefort, and Hwoarang.

The post The maniacal Bryan Fury is next to join the Tekken 8 roster appeared first on Destructoid.