Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Bloody Roar 4 doubles down on the series’ signature metamorphic combat by integrating the beast gauge directly into the health system. Instead of a separate meter, the beast gauge depletes the moment you take enough damage, triggering an automatic transformation into your beast form. This mechanic adds a high-stakes risk-and-reward dynamic: playing aggressively can push you into beast mode mid-combo, while holding back risks giving your opponent the same advantage.

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With 18 playable fighters spanning humans and beast hybrids—from the agile wolf to the hulking ox—each character boasts unique combos, special moves, and beast-specific attacks. Mastery of the transformation timing is crucial, as each beast form grants special “Beast Drives” that can turn the tide of a match. Learning to chain human and beast combos smoothly separates beginners from seasoned vets, offering a deep combat system that rewards practice and strategic meter management.

In addition to the standard Arcade and Versus battles, Bloody Roar 4 offers Time Attack, Training, and Survival modes, catering to solo grind sessions and local head-to-head play. The standout is Career Mode, where you earn “DNA Points” from fights to unlock abilities and equip gear that tweak your fighter’s stats and move list. This RPG-style customization layer encourages replaying fights to optimize builds, making each match feel meaningful beyond a simple win or loss.

Graphics

Visually, Bloody Roar 4 embraces full 3D arenas with dynamic camera work that highlights the brutality of beast transformations. Character models are richly detailed, showcasing fur, claws, and facial animations that shift convincingly between human and animal. Each transformation animation feels weighty, with bone-crunching sound effects and particle bursts that emphasize impact.

The stages themselves range from bustling cityscapes to storm-tossed ruins, each crafted with environmental effects like dust, sparks, and debris. While some textures can appear slightly dated by modern standards, the fluid animations and smooth framerate ensure that battles never stutter. Lighting effects—especially during Beast Drives—cast dramatic shadows that heighten the visceral atmosphere.

Despite its arcade roots, the game’s art direction strikes a balance between realism and stylized exaggeration. Brightly colored special move effects contrast against more muted backgrounds, keeping the action legible even in the heat of battle. Overall, Bloody Roar 4’s graphics hold up as a showcase for early 2000s fighting-game polish, delivering both spectacle and clarity.

Story

The narrative of Bloody Roar 4 picks up after the XGC (X-Genome Code) Incident, which a year ago unleashed riots and mysterious earthquakes worldwide. Humanity initially blamed the unrest on rogue beasts lacking the XGC, but as calm returned, rumors swirled that an ancient artifact—the Stone Seal—was the true catalyst. Though safely locked away, the Seal’s dormant power has resurfaced, spawning even larger quakes and chaos.

This overarching crisis weaves through each character’s individual arc in Story Mode. Between battles, you’ll encounter cinematic cutscenes that delve into personal motivations: some fighters seek to restore balance, others chase power, and a few are motivated by vengeance. While the pacing can feel uneven—shifting rapidly between dramatic monologues and intense fights—the lore offers enough intrigue to keep fans invested in how each storyline intersects with the Seal’s mystery.

Story Mode also unlocks snippets of the world’s deeper mythology, touching on the Crest Incident that preceded the XGC outbreak. Though the writing occasionally leans on fighting-game clichés, voice acting and sound design elevate emotional moments. By the finale, the stakes feel personal as well as global, providing a satisfying payoff to the Beast Council’s conspiracy and the fate of the Stone Seal.

Overall Experience

Bloody Roar 4 stands as a fitting finale for a franchise built on adrenaline-fueled transformations. The seamless integration of the beast gauge into core combat keeps every round on the edge, while the robust roster ensures variety for both casual skirmishes and competitive showdowns. The unique Career Mode adds long-term incentive, making each victory more rewarding than a simple leaderboard climb.

Though the graphics reflect their era, the game’s visual effects, stage designs, and animation fluidity combine to deliver satisfying brawls that still hold up today. The story mode provides context and character depth often missing in fighting titles, and while it’s not a blockbuster narrative, it effectively ties together the XGC lore and the growing threat of the Stone Seal.

For newcomers, Bloody Roar 4 offers accessible entry points through Training and Time Attack, while veterans will appreciate the nuanced beast-human combo system and customization via DNA Points. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgia trip or a deep fighting-game experience with a supernatural twist, Bloody Roar 4 makes a compelling case for your time and attention.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10