Streets of Rage 4 (v2023.03.10 & ALL DLC)

Wood Oak City’s criminal underworld returns with the kind of unapologetic arcade violence that makes every alley, bar, and subway platform feel like a stage for a brawl. Streets of Rage 4 revives Sega’s legendary side-scrolling beat ’em up series with hand-drawn animation, crunchy impact effects, and a soundtrack built to keep fists flying. Axel, Blaze, Adam, and a strong roster of newcomers and unlockable veterans take on the Y Syndicate in a campaign that balances colorful comic-book energy with a satisfyingly grimy urban atmosphere. It is a direct, energetic throwback, but never feels content to simply repeat the past.

Each stage sends you forward through crowds of thugs, weapon-wielding bruisers, evasive ninjas, and oversized bosses, asking you to master spacing, movement, throws, aerial attacks, and crowd control. Characters have distinct combo routes and special moves, while a recoverable health system rewards smart aggression instead of punishing every use of a powerful attack. Food pickups restore health, environmental weapons can turn a fight around, and the score system encourages replaying levels to chase higher ranks. The story supports local and online co-op, while the Survival mode adds a roguelite-flavored challenge in which players choose upgrades between increasingly dangerous waves. Difficulty options, alternate character versions, and unlockable retro fighters give solo players plenty to practice as well.

What separates Streets of Rage 4 from many nostalgic revivals is how naturally its modern combat additions fit the old-school formula. Enemy encounters demand more than button mashing, especially on harder settings, yet the controls remain immediate enough for a newcomer to enjoy a co-op run without studying a move list. Its art is expressive and lively, its music blends classic electronic drive with fresh compositions, and the campaign is concise enough to invite repeated clears rather than overstay its welcome. Fans of Final Fight, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, or classic arcade beat ’em ups find one of the genre’s strongest modern entries here, while veterans gain a deep score-chasing fighter with real mechanical bite.