The Evolution of Fighting Games: Unveiling the Spectacular Transformations in the 2020s

Highlights

Fighting games have taken note of past errors and placed emphasis on improving online functionality. Recent titles have integrated superior netcode and accessibility features, catering to both seasoned players and beginners.

The genre as a whole is embracing innovative design choices and abandoning constraints. It now introduces impressive abilities and mechanics that elevate the gameplay experience while maintaining practicality. This guarantees a promising and dynamic future for fighting games.

Fighting games have entered a new era, with trends forming throughout the genre's history. From the golden age of Street Fighter 2 and the classic Mortal Kombat trilogy on the SNES, to the 3D fighters of the PS1 and Dreamcast era, such as Tekken, Soul Calibur, and Virtua Fighter. Then came the struggle for evolution during the PS2 era, followed by the return of fighting games with Street Fighter 4, Mortal Kombat 9, and many others on the PS3 and Xbox 360. Over the past three decades, fighting games have seen significant changes and developments.

But the genre's evolution didn't stop there. With the launch of Street Fighter 5 on the PS4 and Xbox One, it wasn't well-received, leading to the rise of Tekken 7, a resurgence of Guilty Gear, the return of The King of Fighters, and Mortal Kombat solidifying its position alongside Super Smash Bros. as one of the most successful fighting franchises. With the booming popularity of fighting games, there was still plenty of room for growth on the PS5 and Xbox Series in 2020. In just a few short years, fighting games have made significant progress in terms of design, features, and more.

Street Fighter Embodies The Changing State of Fighting Games

Content underwent changes entering the 2020s, with Street Fighter 5 serving as a representation of the fighting game genre. The game initially faced criticism for its troubled release, inadequate netcode, and the perception of steering a more simplified era of fighters. This led to other AAA fighting games like Mortal Kombat 11 and Guilty Gear Strive adopting a similar approach, which drew backlash from fans due to certain character abilities being restricted by specific mechanics or completely removed. However, Street Fighter started distancing itself from this trend as it progressed into 2020.

The arrival of Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition at the beginning of 2020 marked a turning point. The game introduced diverse characters, the new V-Shift mechanic, and buffs for the entire roster through DLC season 5. In 2021, these updates came to fruition, and the formal announcement of Street Fighter 6 in 2022 revealed substantial visual enhancements and exceptional single-player content rarely seen in fighting games. By June 2023, Street Fighter 6 had gained immense popularity due to its significantly improved online experience, a wealth of features, stronger characters overall, and a modernized presentation. The changes initiated in 2020 had come to fruition by 2023, with other fighting games following suit and reflecting Street Fighter's evolution.

Fighting Games Are Learning From Past Titles' Mistakes

Fighting games have learned many lessons during the PS4 and Xbox One era, particularly in 2020 when the importance of good online was realized. A prime example of this is when the delay netcode-based Granblue Fantasy Versus was released shortly before the lockdown in mid-2020. However, in 2023, Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising made a comeback with improved online gameplay thanks to rollback technology. Other fighting games, both old and new, are also making efforts to enhance their netcode, including Bandai Namco's notoriously outdated online system.

But netcode is not the only aspect that has evolved. The upcoming lineup of fighting games demonstrates the introduction of better tools for both experienced players and newcomers. These games offer aggressive mechanics and increased accessibility. Whether it's the revolutionary Modern control scheme and Drive System in SF6, Tekken 8's Heat System, or MK1's Kameo Fighters and air combos, players now have flashy and practical abilities at their disposal without sacrificing utility. It is evident that fighting games are shedding their limitations, adopting good practices, and taking bold risks with their designs. With these trends in place, the fighting game genre is poised to remain vibrant and innovative for years to come.