I played a few levels almost every afternoon, and while my routine stayed pretty much the same, the wider social context in which I played was rapidly changing. That tight gameplay is what drew me to Streets of Rage 4 this summer. If you do manage to corner your opponent, perhaps using the invincibility frames of your throw as a shield, the rewards are delicious: the walls of this elevator are glass, remember? Instantly dispatching a pair of judo masters by kicking them through the shattered glass behind them has to be the most satisfying moment 2020 gaming had to offer:
This, then, is a game about putting out fires where you can, about reading the playing field, about thinking two steps ahead. The enclosed space of the elevator turns the playing field into a kind of live-action Minesweeper. If you approach these guys head-on-fists-blazing, they will absolutely destroy you. Later, their melee equivalents show up: fearsome judo masters with fists the size of paint can. You’ll need to weave your way towards them, briefly dipping into their line of sight to draw fire, pinning them to the spot while you move close the distance. We begin with a cadre of thick-shouldered, suit-wearing henchmen who dominate the horizontal space with handgun fire. Nearly every enemy type in the game makes an appearance here. The glass elevator scene of Stage 9 provides the backdrop for one of my favourite encounters. Each one has its own little routine to contend with, and when multiple enemies are attacking from every direction, the game turns into a kind of puzzle. While games as direct as Streets of Rage 4 can sometimes feel repetitive, what kept the gameplay fresh and new with each level were your enemies. The moveset you’re given on the first screen will carry you all the way to the credits. Meanwhile, Streets of Rage 4 is about as straightforward as it gets. A game like Hades, for instance, which showcases so much of what has happened in gaming since Streets of Rage ’s last outing in 1994: RPG mechanics, item collecting, base-customisation, three-dimensional characters, RNG modifiers, variations on permadeath… modern gameplay is just so intense. I wasn’t sure an old-school brawler could compete with everything the 2020 gaming landscape has to offer. Or maybe they did? Perhaps you can help me unpack that. I don’t believe the developers ever intended it. It might not have been my favourite game of 2020, but it sure was terrific, and the reason I want to talk to you about it is that it ended up affecting me quite profoundly. I’m so glad we have this opportunity to talk about Streets of Rage 4.
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