Do the names Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding mean anything to you? If so, then chances are you’re already hyped for the recently announced Streets of Rage 4, which will be brought to us by Publisher Dotemu (Wonder Boy, Windjammers 1/2) and developers Lizardcube (Wonder Boy) and Guard Crush (Streets of Fury).
While there have been numerous ports and re-releases of the original trilogy of games, this will be the first new entry in the series since 1994 and will be a continuation of the classic SEGA brawler.
The gaming series was an arcade and home console classic in the 90s as one or two players controlled characters beating their way through hordes of baddies in 2D levels, replete with iconic soundtrack and final bosses.
We have had little in the way of solid details at the moment beyond a very pretty teaser trailer featuring the aforementioned series mainstays Axel and Blaze, but it looks like the classic side-scrolling beat-em-up formula is still alive and well.
There’s also no news yet on whether any other characters will return, but given he’s been in all three other games, it’s not outside the realms of possibility that the infamous Mr X will return as the end boss.
Wrote Dometu in a statement:
“Featuring hand-drawn visuals from the team behind 2017’s gorgeous Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap remake, Streets of Rage 4 builds upon the classic trilogy’s gameplay with new mechanics, a fresh story and a gauntlet of dangerous stages with a serious crime problem. Streets of Rage 4 recalls classic gameplay but it stands as an entirely original arcade-style romp thanks to the expertise of Guard Crush Games and Dotemu.
“Whether players gang up with a friend or clean up the city solo, Streets of Rage 4 is a skull-bashing, chicken-chomping delight all set to a thumping soundtrack sure to get your blood pumping.”
Streets of Rage stands proud with other iconic entries into this genre such as Double Dragon, Final Fight and Golden Axe, and we can hope that this new team is up to the task of breathing new life into this iconic franchise.
Check out the reveal trailer below and let us know in the comments what you’re hoping for from the return of this iconic series.