As a die-hard fan of beat ’em up games, especially on the Sega Genesis, Streets of Rage II held a special place in my heart. The anticipation for Streets of Rage 3 was immense, fueled by countless hours spent mastering its predecessor. When I finally got my hands on it, Streets of Rage 3 presented a fascinating mix of evolution and deviation. While it retained the core brawling action we loved, it introduced a suite of changes, some of which were brilliant innovations, and others that felt like a step in a different direction.
One of the immediate positive changes was the expansion of combat mechanics. The ability to throw enemies backwards after a grapple, a feature reminiscent of the original Streets of Rage, made a welcome return, adding a tactical layer to crowd control. Environmental kills were also more prevalent, with opportunities to send foes plummeting from platforms and elevators for instant knockouts. Beyond these refinements, Streets of Rage 3 brought entirely new dimensions to character movement. The introduction of rolling, activated by quickly tapping up or down twice, provided a valuable evasive maneuver, essential for navigating the increasingly hectic enemy encounters. Furthermore, the addition of running, initiated by double-tapping and holding left or right, injected a new sense of pace and aggression into the gameplay. Each character had a unique running animation, from Skate’s smooth skating to Zan’s peculiar skid, adding personality to this new mechanic.
Streets of Rage 3 wasn’t just about movement; it significantly broadened its overall scope. The game boasted multiple endings – a branching narrative path leading to two bad endings and one true, good ending, depending on player choices and performance. A star ranking system was implemented, rewarding skilled play with up to three stars displayed under the player’s name. These stars unlocked enhanced or entirely new special attacks, adding a layer of progression and mastery. For instance, Axel’s star-powered “Bare Knuckle” attack (a more potent version of the “Grand Upper” from Streets of Rage II) became even more devastating with each star earned. The allure of hidden characters was another significant draw. By fulfilling specific conditions or entering cheat codes, players could unlock Roo the kangaroo and Shiva, the formidable recurring enemy, expanding the playable roster and offering fresh gameplay experiences.
Perhaps the most transformative addition to Streets of Rage 3 was the revamped weapon system. No longer were weapons simply tools for basic attacks. Each character, excluding Roo and Shiva, could now utilize weapons in distinct and powerful ways. Weapon proficiency varied among the characters, leading to strategic choices in combat. Axel, for example, could unleash a devastating baseball bat swing with his “Bare Knuckle” special, while Zan could wield almost any weapon to bowl through enemies like pins. Blaze showcased knife mastery with rapid strikes, and Skate could use knives for quick aerial assaults or pipes for rapid spinning attacks. This weapon evolution added depth and strategic thinking to weapon usage, although a new element of weapon durability was introduced – weapons now had limited energy, forcing players to manage their weapon use and seek replacements.
The core roster saw the return of Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, and Skate (Adam Hunter’s younger brother), but Max Thunder was absent, replaced by the intriguing newcomer, Zan. While Max’s powerhouse presence was missed, Zan proved to be a compelling addition. This cyborg character compensated for Max’s brute strength with exceptional reach and electric-based attacks, offering a unique playstyle.
Visually and in terms of gameplay feel, Streets of Rage 3 leaned more towards the original Streets of Rage than its immediate predecessor, Streets of Rage II. Character and enemy sprites appeared smaller compared to the larger, more detailed sprites of Streets of Rage II. Even the overall graphical style seemed to echo the grittier aesthetic of the first game. However, level design in Streets of Rage 3 was ambitious and diverse. Beyond the standard street and building environments, the game featured memorable stages like a battle against a bulldozer, a disco level teeming with dancers, and a ninja-infested subway system complete with moving trains. Each stage culminated in a boss encounter, and level transitions were punctuated by story progression cutscenes, driving the narrative forward.
A returning gameplay element was the special attack meter, positioned at the top of the screen. Similar to Streets of Rage II, special attacks consumed a small portion of health. However, when the meter was full and flashing “OK,” special moves could be executed without health cost, encouraging strategic use of specials at opportune moments.
Streets of Rage 3 is known for its increased difficulty. Stages like the subway and certain boss fights presented a significant challenge. Fortunately, the options menu allowed players to adjust difficulty settings. Cooperative play remained a central feature, allowing two players to tackle the game together, or engage in versus mode for player-versus-player brawls.
Graphically, Streets of Rage 3 was a mixed bag. Certain environments, like the forest stage with traps and ninjas, and the ending sequences, showcased impressive detail and visual flair. However, other areas, such as the street level where Roo is encountered, felt less polished, resembling the simpler visuals of the original game. Character animations, while functional, lacked the fluidity and expressiveness seen in Streets of Rage 2.
The sound design also presented a contrasting experience. Some sound effects, like Axel’s jump kick and headbutt, were impactful, while others, such as Axel’s double kick or Zan’s punches, felt less satisfying. Voice samples were present but could have been clearer. The soundtrack, while energetic, diverged significantly from the iconic techno beats of Streets of Rage II, leaning towards a more experimental and sometimes polarizing sound.
Despite the innovative features and additions in Streets of Rage 3, including hidden characters and the enhanced weapon system, Streets of Rage II remained my personal favorite in the series. Streets of Rage 3, while offering depth and complexity, sometimes lacked the immediate fun factor and polish of its predecessor, particularly in sound design and animation quality. Movesets for returning characters like Axel, Blaze, and Skate felt largely unchanged, with only minor additions.
In conclusion, for dedicated fans of the Streets of Rage franchise, Streets of Rage 3 is an essential experience. However, for newcomers or those seeking the quintessential Streets of Rage experience, Streets of Rage II might be the more immediately gratifying starting point. Streets of Rage 3 stands as a bold and ambitious entry in the series, deserving recognition as the second-best Streets of Rage game and a worthwhile addition to any Sega Genesis library.
