Sega’s Virtua Fighter series, which has been on hiatus for quite some time, is finally gearing up for a comeback. The exciting news is that the new installment will be developed by none other than Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, famously known for their Yakuza series. Given their success with the Yakuza games, which incorporate elements from fighter genres, there’s a buzz of anticipation about what they can bring to Virtua Fighter.
At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, Sega dropped a tantalizing piece of in-engine footage. Though showcased as gameplay, it’s crucial to note that this was more of a conceptual display, akin to a pre-rendered scene hinting at what the final game could potentially achieve. It’s a taste of what might be, setting a high bar for expectations in animation quality. One wonders if Ryu Ga Gotoku can translate this into the kind of gameplay experience that fans are hoping for in Virtua Fighter 6. Sega and RGG have certainly set ambitious expectations with this release.
The newly revealed Virtua Fighter 6 concept footage at CES is undoubtedly a visual feast. Its character models and environmental details are top-notch, with clothing and hair movement that mimic real-life physics and lighting that enhances the overall aesthetic. However, while the graphics stand strong, they’re not a groundbreaking leap compared to existing fighting games, which have already set a high standard for visuals. Where it truly shines is in its animation.
In this snippet, two Akira characters face off in a duel that showcases intricate and realistic fight choreography. Instead of mechanically blocking an attack, one of the Akira characters adjusts in a lifelike manner, as though anticipating the direction and strength of each hit. Such fluid animations transform the scene into something you’d expect from a blockbuster movie rather than a typical fighting game. If this is anything to go by, Virtua Fighter 6 could revolutionize how fights are animated in the genre.
That said, it’s important to temper our expectations regarding these visuals making it into the final game. Rendering scenes at this level of detail requires extensive work, especially since each unique move across various distances and positions would demand separate animations for every fighter on the roster. Achieving the kind of dynamic realism found in the trailer would entail creating thousands of specific animations. Moreover, while visually stunning, such realism might not translate well into fluid gameplay, potentially disrupting battle flow and player engagement.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean the game can’t incorporate elements from this impressive preview. For instance, enhancing block animations to consider different attack types and details might set Virtua Fighter 6 apart from its peers. Currently, other games implement slight variations, but none to the dramatic extent shown in the trailer. It’s been years since the last major Virtua Fighter release, and if the series aims to capture attention once again, pushing the boundaries of animation design could be its standout feature.
