When the art of a game tarnishes the playable experience unnecessarily. Is Street Fighter 6’s art style on point?

When the art of a game tarnishes the playable experience unnecessarily. Is Street Fighter 6’s art style on point?

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“But how dare you desecrate the hallowed name of Street Fighter! Cucumber, you deserve to receive the biggest shoryuken ever seen right across your face.” It is very likely that if you are a fan of Capcom’s biggest fighting franchise, this is the thought that your basest and most primitive instincts have revealed. However, such an understanding is wrong once again. Myself I’m a big fan of this series from the very same Street Fighter 2, and I adore her as I would adore my children, if I had them. So I can not help but feel a little disappointed with what I’m seeing on the Internet about this new installment. But before you throw yourself around my neck to practice one of Zangief’s powerful holds on me because you totally disagree with me, let me explain.

I have seen images and videos of the game and it seems to me that Capcom is doing a commendable job. Its managers have already stated on several occasions that they seek return Street Fighter to its golden age, and the truth is that it is seen that they are working hard to achieve it. The graphics are great, everything moves very smoothly, and the new options that it includes such as being able to create your own fighter and being able to move around the city freely are additions that at least sound very interesting. This is all very well and I think no one here doubts it. What I’m talking about is a set of details that personally irritate me a bit, and maybe you too, who knows.

It all started when the first trailer for the game was released. It all looked great, but everyone’s eyes widened when what would be the game’s logo appeared on the screen. Generic. That is the adjective that comes to mind when seeing that empty design, lacking in soul and identity. A short time later it is discovered that that logo is actually a modified stock image. Friend, now everything is understood. In the end, seeing the barrage of criticism and memes, they decided to change the logo, but the damage had already been done.

More paint, it’s war!

Likewise, this is the least of the problems, it is still a logo. What squeaks me the most every time I see images, trailers, or any promotional material for the game, is that curious colorful paint stain effect surrounding the fighters. I understand that it is to give a distinctive touch and a punch to the various movements of each of the characters, but… no matter how hard I look at it, I would say that it breaks significantly with the aesthetic that the Street Fighter saga should show.

This is not something new, since various aesthetic and artistic changes have been seen throughout the saga. Street Fighter III, for example, showed a more street setting and even “underground” compared to its predecessors. This could be seen reflected in various aspects of the game, from the settings to the character selection music, for example. And in Street Fighter IV it returned to that more classic atmosphere, which was more reminiscent of Street Fighter 2, but added an “ink effect” to certain special moves. It seemed strange to me at first and I didn’t quite understand it, but it was something more subtle, so nothing happened either.

In Street Fighter IV they already implemented similar effects, but they weren’t as shocking.

Once they arrived at Street Fighter V, it seems that the artistic team opted for a cleaner and clearer aesthetic, with certain light effects and visual flashes, but without excessive paraphernalia. In my opinion, they were absolutely right with the purely visual experience that the game conveyed. It’s true that Capcom made many unquestionable business decisions regarding this installment (such as that DLC policy), but the choice of artistic style was not one of them.

And finally we come to this Street Fighter 6. I feel the need to write these lines, just in case… It seems to me that we could be facing an absolutely awesome fighting game on all levels, but with an artistic section that shakes its foundations unnecessarily. As seen in the images that have been circulating in recent weeks on social networks, this paint stain effect runs the risk of being too exaggerated, and can sometimes even be annoying. It is undoubtedly an artistic decision that is less risky.

Here you can see a comparison of the aesthetics of the last three installments of Street Fighter. Call me crazy, but I think that in the sixth installment they have gone too far with the paint…

And it’s not that judging by the images this more than Street Fighter looks like Splatoon 3, it’s that all the street and underground setting that they have given to the title doesn’t seem to me that it suits this video game entirely either. Ok, “Street Fighter” means “street fighter”. but to my taste that setting is abused a bit. And on the other hand, in other images I have also perceived a color palette that is too colorful and saturated, as if it had the contrast on full. Doesn’t it remind you of Fortnite? Because to me yes.

And before you tell me anything in the comments, I KNOW. I know this is a grandpa chive tantrum for no reason or reason. I know that it probably won’t be that bad, or even that in the end I myself have to admit that the art section of this game is impressive. But do you know why I still decided to write what you are reading? First, to express my concern for this artistic style that doesn’t quite convince me. And second, for all of us to reflect a little on the fundamental thing that is the artistic section of video games. For me, it’s even more important than the graphics themselves. It is something very valuable, and what really gives identity and personality to a work.

With that being said, I hope Street Fighter 6 is a complete game finally. I can’t wait to try it!

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