This is what spanking fans can expect in 2023

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New fighting games await us again next year. Thanks to Capcom and Riot Games, maybe even some of the best we’ve seen in a while

This year was especially exciting for fans of the fighting game niche. DNF Duel delighted fans of games with sprawling attacks, The King of Fighters XV launched an attempt to bring the series back into the mainstream, and Melty Blood: Type Lumina got a bunch of free content, including an essential gameplay update.

But there are some real highlights coming up in 2023. Meanwhile, only one of those dates is 100% confirmed for a title. But the chance that we will be graced with several high-quality fighting games is high. Here we present the possible release candidates.

The great hope: Project L

We already have much more information about the fighting game in the Runeterra universe. Unfortunately, we still don’t have a release date for it.

Riot has already given us an insight into the mechanics of Project L through two rather detailed dev diaries. In terms of gameplay, the title is increasingly reminiscent of the games in the Capcom Vs. series. Just like those, this is also a team game. You choose two characters, one of which is on screen at all times, while the other can be called in or substituted as an assist.

The first Deep Dive covered a lot of how Project L will control, what the philosophy behind the game is and how online play will work. The latest video explains how the assist and tag mechanics work. Additionally, it was mentioned that Project L will rely on individual movement options for some characters. Another aspect that reminds the fighting game community of titles like Marvel vs Capcom. The comparison to Arc System Works’ 2v2 fighter, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, was also often drawn.

Hopes are high that Project L will flood even more players into the fighting game scene by utilising the League of Legends characters and world. As the team behind the title are all veterans of the genre and faith in the developers is high.

The best installment in the series? Street Fighter 6

The title we currently have the most information about is Street Fighter 6 from Capcom. Here, the release date is also already known: The game will be released on 2 June 2023.

After the predecessor, Street Fighter V, had a very disappointing launch back then, Capcom has apparently learned from their past mistakes. Street Fighter 6 already seems to be a much different product than part 5. Also in terms of gameplay, Fighting Game Community is positive. Reports from first preview sessions and feedback from the first two beta tests were filled with praise.

Street Fighter 6 promises to be more than “just” a fighting game. With an extended single player mode, in which you travel a game world and learn attacks and manoeuvres from the masters of the Street Fighter universe, meaningful content will finally be offered to single players. At the same time, this part of the game, which is called “World Tour”, will also serve as an introduction to the PvP part of Street Fighter 6. This is titled “Fighting Grounds” and basically offers what we know from earlier offshoots of the series: local Versus action with a roster of playfully different characters.

But those who want to fight online also get the chance to do so in Street Fighter 6. Technically, Capcom finally uses rollback netcode, which noticeably increases the playability of the title and is technologically much more advanced than the earlier method of netplay.

And a separate game mode is also available for online gaming: In the Battle Hub you can move freely with your own created character. You can simply join other players at a slot machine and let your fists do the talking. But there is also more to do: Take part in tournaments, buy new accessories for your avatar or play old arcade games from Capcom in the retro corner.

You can already tell how much love went into this product. Street Fighter 6’s design is dripping with personality: menus and music convey the hip-hop charm on which the title is built, the redesigns of old characters seem sensible and thoughtful while cast newcomers fit perfectly into the world of Street Fighter.

Gameplay-wise, Street Fighter 6 has also been revamped somewhat. The centre of the new system is the drive bar. You use this for various defensive and offensive mechanics: Drive Impact absorbs hits and breaks the opponent’s block, Drive Parry negates enemy attacks and Drive Rush allows you to cancel attacks and parries with a Dash. In addition, EX special moves no longer consume Super Meter, but Drive. This regenerates itself, but if it is completely drained, your fighter enters a burn-out state.

In this state, no drive mechanics are available and you take damage on block. This makes the drive bar a component that will dominate your strategy. An exciting system that is only further enhanced by the completely different characters.

The stage is set for Street Fighter 6 to become the most successful part of the series. Thanks to a sensible single-player mode, positive changes in the gameplay, loving details and the eSport support through the Capcom Pro Tour, the first major fighting game of the new generation is waiting in the wings here.

The Question Mark: Tekken 8

Compared to its big 2D rival Street Fighter, there is still no release date for the latest part of the Tekken series. Currently, there is speculation whether Tekken 8 will even make it into 2023. However, we are optimistic that a release at the end of the year is realistic.

Most recently, there was more information about the new Bandai Namco fighter at the Game Awards and in a separate stream. Some classic characters in the new design could be seen. Among them Jin, Kazuya, Paul or Lars. But also the return of a – in-game considered deceased – fighter is announced: Jun Kazama, Jin’s mother, will play a crucial role in the story of Tekken 8.

Gameplay-wise, two new mechanics have been introduced so far: Stages now offer interactive elements that can influence the course of the battle and characters have heat actions. The latter are primarily intended to ensure that the matches in Tekken 8 offer even more offence.