Is Street Fighter VI the best Street Fighter installment ever? It's too early for that. But, the critical reception to the game so far has been overwhelmingly positive across the board, lauding all of the improvements Capcom has implemented in the new entry from its accessible gameplay, polished fundamentals, and fresh visual style. As the review embargo finally lifts, the critics appear to be in agreement that Capcom has finally delivered a fully fleshed-out game that's ready to rumble from the start.
The entertaining and easy-to-understand robust fighting system is the biggest draw of Street Fighter 6. GameSpot's Jason Fanelli describes the game as a "return to form for the franchise", noting that it's a "premier quality" fighting game that provides an inviting platform for both new fighters and seasoned professionals.
More importantly, many reviewers highlight that Street Fighter 6 is a significant departure from its predecessor. The 2017 title, Street Fighter V had a notably sparse launch, prompting many to prefer and play Ultra Street Fighter IV over it.
The collective sigh of relief among critics is noteworthy. Many have expressed their delight that Capcom rectified the major issues from the previous entries in the series. The third-person single-player-only mode and a new control system designed for beginners are two strong points that multiple critics bring up.
Here's a round-up of a handful of critics' reviews to help give you a better idea of how well Street Fighter 6 is reviewing:
- Cultured Vultures - 10/10
- ComicBook.com - 5/5
- Video Game Chronicle - 5/5
- Digital Trends - 4.5/5
- XboxEra - 9/10
- Press Start Australia - 9/10
- Pure Xbox - 9/10
Going back to the topic of improvements over Street Fighter V, the incoming entry features a massively improved online net code and social functionality. Seamless cross-play across the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S/X, and the PC is a welcome feature, contributing to the game's appeal.
All in all, Street Fighter 6 has been described as the most significant installment since Street Fighter 2, which came out decades ago.
By successfully inviting new players into the fold with well-implemented, simpler control schemes, without losing sight of the hardcore player, Street Fighter 6 is as welcoming as it is challenging.
Despite this, critics note that Street Fighter 6 isn't going to appeal to everyone. The new single-player World Tour mode has drawn some criticism, with some reviewers describing it as disappointing.
Still, the overall impression of Street Fighter 6 is extremely positive. According to Metacritic, Street Fighter 6 holds high scores of 89, 92, and 93 on the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and the PC, respectively.
As a marked improvement over its predecessor, Street Fighter 6 can successfully stake its claim as one of the best fighters ever made in due time.
For now, Street Fighter 6 will just have to "settle" for the best fighting game on the market at the moment, which is good news for those looking forward to its launch on June 2.
