While there are still numerous DLC characters slated for release for Street Fighter V, the recent releases of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are signaling an impending leap forward for the series. While there has yet to be any definitive announcement of a Street Fighter VI, once the current wave of Street Fighter V DLC characters is concluded, it seems like only a matter of time until the next entry of the iconic fighting game franchise is announced.
As every entry in the Street Fighter series is quite distinct in its own right, distinguishing itself from its predecessors, the sky is the limit when it comes to what may be done with the game. So today, we’re going to speculate and discuss things that we’d love to see included in Street Fighter VI.
10 A Complete Launch
One of the most notorious aspects of Street Fighter V was its subpar launch. When the game was initially released, aside from a sparse roster of characters and stages, the game had abysmal single-player modes and didn’t have a lot to offer players besides versus mode. While fighting games are first and foremost multiplayer experiences that require fine-tuned versus modes, the single-player experience can make or break a game. Though the game later received more content such as a story mode and a wide swath of alternate costumes, for many day one players, the damage had already been done. For Street Fighter VI, prioritizing an excellent day one experience should be a top priority.
9 Solid Starting Roster
One element of a fighting game that can often gravitate players towards a game is the size of its roster. The larger a game’s roster, the more likely one is to find a character that resonates with them.
As of the time that this article is being written, Street Fighter V currently has forty playable characters. However, on the day of its launch, the game had less than half that, only offering sixteen characters. While the previous entry in the Street Fighter series had numerous iterations to bolster its character selection, it’s finalized roster size of forty-four characters made the roster of Street Fighter V look even more diminutive by comparison. Giving Street Fighter VI a noteworthy starting roster size would definitely alleviate this problem.
8 An Improved Story Mode
While Street Fighter V did eventually add a story mode to the game, to say that it left much to be desired would be putting it gently. Unimpressive on pretty much all accounts, this story did not impress with gameplay, storytelling, or visuals. As this franchise is packed full of iconic and memorable characters, the inclusion of a more developed story mode that uses these characters could scratch the single-player itch that some players desire.
7 More Modes
As mentioned, much of the failures of the Street Fighter V launch stem from its lack of content. One priority of the next entry of the series should be including more modes for players to enjoy. Whether they be single-player challenges, or multiplayer modes such as online tournaments, or ever daily challenges, the inclusion of more modes could provide players with more reasons to continue to play the game.
6 Appeal To Casual And Competitive Players Alike
It was apparent that the launch of Street Fighter V was meant to cater to the competitive side of the player base that would primarily be using versus mode and training mode. If the early lack of success of Street Fighter V is anything to go by, it’s in Street Fighter VI’s best interest to include elements that will engross casual players rather than alienate them.
Whether this comes in the form of in-game collectibles or even previously mentioned single-player options, anything that would help cater to a more casual audience would be beneficial.
5 Improved Netcode
If there’s anything that the year 2020 cemented for fighting games is that good netcode can make or break a game. There’s a sizable amount of players that would prefer to play against real human beings rather than the CPU, but without going to a tournament in person. For these players, online play can make a game sink or swim. Regardless of the state of the in-person tournament scene when Street Fighter VI is released, an excellent online experience would help to consistently maintain an online player base.
4 Multi-Platform And Cross-Platform
Street Fighter V was distinctly only released on PlayStation 4 and PC, greatly limiting the game’s potential player base. Releasing Street Fighter VI on all major next-gen consoles and allowing cross-platform multiplayer would not only allow the maximum amount of players to enjoy the game but would also increase the number of players online at a given moment, potentially help the consistency of online matchmaking.
3 Distinct Visual Flair
Visuals are one of the most subjective elements in a fighting game. However, games such as Dragon Ball FighterZ and Guilty Gear Strive have shown that impressive visuals do not go unnoticed in a fighting game. While games such as Street Fighter Alpha and Street Fighter III had very stylized visual styles, such style has since waned in the Street Fighter series. Bringing more of a focus to the aesthetic of Street Fighter VI could hypothetically draw in new players based entirely on style, and also help the game’s visuals age more gracefully.
2 Guest Characters
The concept of including guest characters from other franchises into a fighting game is not a new concept. The Soul Calibur franchise has featured the likes of Link of The Legend of Zelda and Darth Vader, while Mortal Kombat has included the likes of the Terminator, RoboCop, and Rambo. However, the majority of guest appearances that have shown up in Street Fighter games have been limited to characters from the Final Fight series. Perhaps including a guest character from a Capcom owned IP such as Morrigan from Darkstalkers could help sales and breathe new life into the franchise.
1 Embrace What Makes The Series Great
The last thing that Street Fighter VI should do is try to be a game of another series. Ideally, Street Fighter VI should focus on developing and expanding upon the elements of the series that has allowed it to last as long as it has. “Footsies” focused gameplay that prioritizes fighting game fundamentals and reads rather than lengthy combos has always made the Street Fighter a stellar jumping on point for fighting game newcomers looking to get into the genre, all whilst maintaining depth for veterans. By maintaining this approach and keeping the core gameplay as fine-tuned as possible while learning from past mistakes of the series, Street Fighter VI has the potential to be one of the most polished entries in the entire series!
