Streets of Rage 4 stands out as a side-scrolling beat 'em up that brings back the beloved series after a long hiatus, blending nostalgic elements with fresh updates for today's players.
Gameplay
In Streets of Rage 4, the core experience revolves around moving through linear levels while taking down groups of enemies with a mix of punches, kicks, and grabs. Characters have access to basic attacks that chain into combos, along with special moves that consume a portion of health but deliver powerful effects. One key addition is the ability to juggle enemies in the air or bounce them off walls for extended combos[[1]](https://www.nettosgameroom.com/2025/12/streets-of-rage-4-review.html). Health can be restored by picking up items like apples or the signature braised chicken scattered throughout stages. The game also introduces star moves, which are devastating attacks activated by collecting star items during play. With hand-drawn animations bringing every fight to life, the combat feels fluid and responsive, encouraging players to experiment with different characters' move sets.
Beyond the basics, Streets of Rage 4 enhances the formula with unlockable content, such as playing as pixel-art versions of classic characters from earlier entries in the series[[2]](https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890). The soundtrack, composed by renowned musicians like Yuzō Koshiro and Yoko Shimomura, integrates seamlessly, allowing switches to tracks from previous games for added nostalgia. This setup creates a satisfying loop of progression, where mastering timings and enemy patterns leads to higher scores and unlocks.
Game Modes
The game offers a variety of ways to engage with its beat 'em up action, starting with the main campaign set across 12 unique stages in Wood Oak City[[2]](https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890). Here, players follow a story of heroes cleaning up the streets from criminal threats, playable solo or in co-op. Co-op supports up to two players online or four offline via shared or split-screen setups[[2]](https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890).
For competitive play, Battle Mode lets friends face off in direct fights[[2]](https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890). Boss Rush Mode challenges teams to battle a sequence of bosses without breaks, testing endurance and strategy[[2]](https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890). These modes extend replayability, especially with leaderboards tracking high scores.
Updates and Expansions
Since its release, Streets of Rage 4 has seen the addition of the Mr. X Nightmare expansion in July 2021, which introduced new playable characters and a Survival mode for endless enemy waves[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streets_of_Rage_4). As of 2026, no further major updates have been noted, but the base game and DLC remain fully supported with features like Steam achievements and cloud saves[[2]](https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890).
Is It Worth Playing?
With very positive reception on platforms like Steam, where it holds a 93% positive rating from over 6,900 English reviews and an overall Metacritic score of 84, Streets of Rage 4 appeals strongly to fans of retro beat 'em ups[[2]](https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890)[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streets_of_Rage_4). It has sold over 2.5 million copies by 2021, reflecting sustained interest[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streets_of_Rage_4). If you enjoy cooperative brawling or solo runs through vibrant levels with a killer soundtrack, this title delivers solid value, especially for those seeking a polished revival of '90s-style action. However, players looking for deep narrative or complex progression might find it more straightforward.
