Capcom’sStreet Fighter 6has added yet another feather to the fighting-game franchise’s cap. Along with the standard arcade and training mode, there is also Battle Hub for when players wish to fight online against others, and World Tour, a campaign when they wish to create a character from scratch and go through what the story has in store for them.
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The title comes with 18 playable characters from the start that gamers can select from when they wish to fight against others. In World Tour, they are non-playable characters (NPCs) and serve as Masters that players must learn from. Moreover, there are other NPCs also that are a part of the story. Whether they play a big role or small, Capcom’s character design and dialog writing do shine through in offering players a pleasant experience.
7Thrasher Damnd
Another character that veterans may recognize, Thrasher Damnd was first introduced in theFinal Fightseries, a part of the same universe asStreet Fighter 6. He is introduced in this game as a minor villain, the head of a local street gang called Mad Gear Gang. An African-Caribbean character by design, he can easily hold his own in fights and talks about raising the gang back to glory.
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Thrasher Damnd forces players to help his cause early on by kidnapping Li-Fen. However, he is forced to team up with them when their goals become aligned down the line. Although there’s a good chance no fan will voluntarily pick him as a prized part of the story, his desire to uphold his gang’s ideals and steadily work to that end is commendable.
6Yua
Players cross paths with Yua inStreet Fighter 6’sWorld Tour modewhen she’s being chased by a couple of goons, and accused of being a pickpocket. Capcom’s character design is showcased to its potential yet again as her facial features and attire convey her innocence with great effect.
One of the youngest characters in the game, players find out in the Brother and Sister quest that she is Bosch’s younger sister. Her childlike innocence and love for her sibling are showcased when players tell her they don’t know where Bosch went after he parted ways with them.
5Retsu
Perhapsone of the oldest characters in the franchise, Retsu has finally appeared in the latest installment after being absent from all but the first. Established as a close friend of Ryu as well as Dhalsim, the aging monk is still a welcome sight, especially since he had only been mentioned in passing so far.
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Players who wish to go up against Retsu inStreet Fighter 6’sWorld Tour mode will find that he is a particularly difficult combatant as his attacks resemble Ryu’s, one of the most formidable in the game.
4Li-Fen
Li-Fen has appeared multiple times in the franchise, and veterans may remember her from her debut inStreet Fighter 3: Third Strike. In the latest iteration in the series, she is now a teenager who’s apprenticing with Chun-Li. She lovingly calls her once-rescuer Jiejie, and along with learning from her, she also provides aid in Interpol work.
Although her design has naturally changed over time, her exuberance is retained. With her attire, headphones, ability with technology, and interactions, she is presented as a youthful but mature character who loves Chun-Li, food, and hip-hop.
3Eternity
Eternity is another example that shows Capcom’s progressive thoughts toward the inclusivity of the LGBTQIA+ community. The player base is rife with speculation about the character being non-binary, although there has been no confirmation from the developer so far.
Eternity has a very flamboyant and extroverted nature. Along with the World Tour mode, where they host the fighting competition, they are present inStreet Fighter 6’sBattle Hub as well. Essentially, they are someone who really enjoys the show of people fighting each other, fueled byaggressive, competitive behavior.
2Bosch
Bosch is perhaps the most important non-playable character in the game. He makes his entry along with the players right at the start of the title’sWorld Tour mode. The character design possesses the sharp features, ripped musculature, and aggressive fighter temperament that the franchise is known for.
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Bosch wishes to become the supreme fighter as soon as possible. Although he starts alongside players as a trainee fighter, he soon parts ways with them and gets involved in a conflict. Players later see his desperation as they progress through the story, especially when they see that he has been inflicted with a life-threatening condition.
1Sheng Long
Easily the best NPC inStreet Fighter 6, Sheng Long has finally made his official appearance in the franchise. He is one of the most popular characters in the series, despite his creation being a mistake. A simple interpretation error inStreet Fighter 2brought him to life, although he had only been mentioned in passing so far and has been termed a “hoax” by the community.
Players can encounter him atop the SiRN building once they have completed the campaign. He usesRyu’s fighting style(or Ryu uses his, as per the lore), and gives one of the hardest fights possible in this mode. As such, gamers are advised to stock up on consumables whenever they go up against him for “nostalgia.”
Street Fighter 6is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
