Shadaloo is up to their old tricks, which generally sums up the entirety of the Street Fighter franchise lore. M. Bison, Balrog, Vega, and Sagat are the four pillars, the grandmasters of the Shadaloo organization. In Street Fighter V they’re using the “Black Moons” to drive the planet into chaos. Luck would have it that Ryu, Ken and Chun-Li are prepared to ensure that doesn’t happen. That whole story is summed up in Capcom’s newly released launch trailer, “A Shadow Falls,” for the upcoming Story Mode DLC.
That’s right Street Fighter V fans, Story Mode is almost here. The free content update is going to be released tomorrow on PlayStation 4 and PC for all owners of Street Fighter V. It may not have been available at launch like most hoped, but the story mode is almost here. The Story Mode will feature fights starring all 16 core characters, as well as the 6 2016 DLC characters (released and unreleased).
Speaking of DLC charcters, Story Mode isn’t the only DLC drop for Street Fighter V tomorrow. Also available will be both Balrog and Ibuki, who were confirmed at the conclusion of last week’s Capcom Tour stop, CEO 2016. Tokido’s Ryu may be the fighter to contend with right now, but when EVO comes around he’ll have new competition from the two new fighters. Balrog and Ibuki are, unfortunately, not free at the outset. They can, however, be unlocked with in-game currency like previous DLC characters Alex and Guile. Otherwise they will cost $5.99 apiece, or as part of the Season Pass.
Other premiun DLC will also drop in tomorrow’s update, including: Balrog’s Las Vegas Stage, Karin’s Kanzuki Family Private Beach, three other new alternate stages, new Premium Battle Costumes for all 20 released characters, Karin’s Premium Summer Costume, and Balrog and Ibuki’s Story Costumes. The stages and Story Costumes can be unlocked with in-game cash, but the Premium costumes are pay-to-own only.
This whole Story Mode controversy for Street Fighter V is an extremely unfortunate situation. The FGC (Fighting Game Community) will largely prove apathetic about the mode, as they’re focused on competition and EVO, while the more casual Street Fighter V players who complained the loudest about the mode’s absence will likely say it’s too little too late. The reception is likely to be poor no matter what, which is particularly unfortunate considering Capcom apologized for the situation and went through with releasing the mode despite all the negativity.
The good news is that Street Fighter V is still arguably an excellent fighting game, and the FGC is embracing it faster than anyone expected. Tournaments are seeing all faces – Japanese players who reigned during the Street Fighter II and Street Fighter 3 eras, who had disappeared during the Street Fighter IV years. With each new character released, the competition gets more serious. While Street Fighter V may not have the broader appeal that Capcom would have liked, it’s certain to be a mainstay within the community for years to come.
Street Fighter V is now available on PC and PlayStation 4. The Story Mode DLC, as well as the Balrog and Ibuki characters and other premium DLC, will available starting tomorrow, July 1, at midnight PT.