Hey friends! Here today with a laid-back look at Streets of Rage 4. If you’ve ever wanted a cozy corner in your gaming day to just knock out bad guys to sweet ’90s beats, you’ve found your spot. I’ve spent a good dozen hours brawling through Angel City’s gritty streets, and I’m excited to share what felt just right—and what I’d love to see improved.
Overall Impressions
Streets of Rage 4 stands tall as one of the best beat ’em ups in years. It’s a beautiful nod to the classic trilogy, but it doesn’t just rest on nostalgia. Newcomers can hop in easily, while series vets will delight in clever callbacks (hello, back-alley apothecary!). What really stood out to me was how it balances old-school simplicity with modern flair. That said, I did wish the online co-op supported four players—more on that later.
Compared to other games in the genre, it feels more alive. You can tell the devs at Dotemu, Lizardcube, and Guard Crush Games poured real love into this revival. It’s friendlier than rush-rush arena fighters, but it still has that satisfying crunch when your combo hits just right.
Gameplay Mechanics
Knocking foes around with simple punch-kick combos never gets old, and Streets 4 adds some fresh layers. Now you’ve got juggle combos, special moves tied to a recharge meter, and powerful supers that light up the screen. I remember one run where I chained a wall slam into a spinning helicopter kick, and my roommate cheered like I’d won an Oscar. Those moments make you feel like a total street-fighting rock star.
That said, some fights can get busy—especially when those buzzing drone enemies join the chaos. A few times I accidentally
stumbled into a crowd, pressed the wrong button, and spent half my health bar figuring out what hit me. Still, most of the time the combat feels fair and intuitive. And if you’re a completionist, chaining flawless combos for higher scores is a blast.
A recurring note from other players is wanting four-player online co-op. Right now, you can go up to four local friends, and online is limited to two. I do love couch co-op nights, but more online options would help my long-distance pals join the fun.
Story and Characters
The plot is delightfully straightforward. Axel, Blaze, Adam, and new faces Cherry and Floyd team up to stop the ever-evil Mr. X and his tech army. There are no sweeping epic plot twists, but the light story beats fit the game’s pacing perfectly. Cherry’s banter about her rock band and Floyd’s gleeful one-liners give the game just enough personality without slowing down the punch-’em-up action.
Bringing back classic II-era characters and plot points makes fans grin. And I really appreciate that every hero feels unique in play style. Whether you prefer Blaze’s fast kicks or Floyd’s powerful grapples. It’s like picking your favorite pet. You know they all do the same tricks, but each one has its own charm.
Visuals and Graphics
This game looks like a hand-drawn comic book come to life. Ben Fiquet and Julian Nguyen’s illustrations are vibrant and full of character—from neon-lit alleyways to shiny skyscraper rooftops. I loved that each level feels distinct, and the animations are so fluid that I often paused to admire a perfect background flourish.
Sometimes the screen gets a little crowded, but the art team did a great job keeping enemies and hazards readable. It still feels like a friendly, cozy experience—even when you’re up against a mech-suit drone.
Sound and Music
If you’re into chiptune-style beats, you’re in for a treat. Olivier Deriviere handles most of the soundtrack, with guest tracks by Scattle and even a nod to series legend Yuzo Koshiro. My personal jam was “Rising Up”—that track alone made me want to sprint into battle. Sound effects are punchy without being abrasive, and I found myself bobbing my head even as I unleashed special moves.
There’s no real voice acting, but the grunts, yells, and crowd noises deliver all the right energy. The audio team nailed the retro vibe while giving it just enough polish for today’s standards.
Difficulty and Replayability
I played on the middle difficulty and found the balance satisfying—tough enough to keep me on my toes, but never so punishing that I felt stuck. Hardcore fans can crank it up for a real challenge, and there are extra modes (like Boss Rush and classic arcade difficulty) that will test your combo skills.
Between chasing higher scores, hunting secret paths, and swapping characters with friends, Streets of Rage 4 has plenty of replay value. I’ve gone back to replay stages just to see how fast I can clear them or to try a different character’s combo set.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. Streets of Rage 4 is a cozy brawler that packs a punch. Whether you dive in solo or pair up with a buddy, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve just headlined a ’90s action movie. Until next time, stay cozy and keep on gaming!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
All in all, I’m giving Streets of Rage 4 a cozy 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s a near-perfect revival of a classic genre that sets a new bar for modern beat ’em ups. If you’re looking for a friendly, heart-pounding brawl with charming visuals and killer tunes, you’ll feel right at home in these streets.
Trivia & Behind the Scenes
Streets of Rage 4 brings a powerful blend of retro charm and modern flair, thanks to a creative collaboration between Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Lizardcube—the studio behind the acclaime Wonder Boy remake. Animation experts Ben Fiquet and Julian Nguyen poured months into meticulous frame-by-frame work, ensuring every punch, kick, and combo lands with visual precision. The soundtrack also took a bold turn: Olivier Deriviere, known for his orchestral compositions, embraced electronic beats and nailed the tone on his first attempt. While the current online play supports fewer than four players, Dotemu has hinted at expanded multiplayer co-op options in future updates, fueling anticipation among fans eager to team up in full force.
