As has been made clear from early announcements surroundingStreet Fighter 6, Capcom is designing the game with a surprising new creative direction. Visual are immediately recognizable as dramatically changed, not just stylistically but with familiarStreet Fightercharacters getting substantial redesigns, too. As dramatic asStreet Fighter 6’s visuals have changed from past games, the audio is even more of a departure. That idea is shown in the latestStreet Fighter 6reveal, which features Guile’s new theme music.
Just seeing the words “Guile’s theme” should conjure the song inStreet Fighterfans' minds. It’s one of theStreet Fighterfranchise’s most iconic music tracks. It’s been virally associated with the “Guile’s Theme Goes With Everything” meme for over a decade, never mind being associated with patriotic American memes and fighting in general. SoStreet Fighterfanslistening to the song will immediately recognize that Guile’sStreet Fighter 6music is absolutely nothing like the original.
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Guile’s new theme, titled “Sharpened Sonic,” is similar to much ofStreet Fighter 6’s previously released music. It’s electronic, mixing various samples to create a funky, upbeat track that is questionably associated with the character it’s supposed to represent. WhereRyu’sStreet Fighter 6theme songwas also met with some confusion, Guile’s theme change could trend into more controversial territory given just how dramatic of a departure it is.
BothStreet Fighter 4andStreet Fighter 5’s versions of theGuile theme songhave taken their liberties with the song before, but have kept large portions of the music largely the same. That main Guile melody, specifically, pops up in both.Street Fighter 6is easily the greatest divergence from Guile’s traditional theme since it debuted inStreet Fighter 2.
In all fairness to Capcom, the Guile fromStreet Fighter 6is not necessarily the sameGuile fromStreet Fighter 2. While his moveset may be similar, he’s left behind his camouflage pants and tank top in favor of blue overalls and a gray hoodie. He still has his iconic flattop haircut, but it’s now paired with a goatee. Capcom’s even teased that, with Shadaloo defeated and Charlie avenged, Guile has settled down and become a family man.
Capcom has clearly decided that it won’t be restrained by pastStreet Fighterdesign, even in areas that are incredibly popular. It’s a bold decision to differentiateStreet Fighter 6from its predecessors. Whether that marksStreet Fighter 6as the start of anew era ofStreet Fighter, or a departure that’s gone a step too far will only be decided when it launches next year.
Street fighter 6releases in 2023 on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
