The Autonomous SmartDesk Pro is a great option for someone looking to upgrade to one of the best standing desks on the market. While the model we tested doesn’t include many bells and whistles, such as built-in charging ports or other desk accessories, it offers a solid experience for those looking to invest in a no-frills, motorized, and stable standing desk. It comes with a wide range of height adjustability (26 inches - 51.6 inches in our measurements), a user-friendly controller with manual adjustment, and 4 programmable memory positions for saving the right height whether you are standing or sitting. It’s quiet when running, feels solid, is affordable, and offers good value.

Unboxing and First Impressions

From the moment our desk arrived, we were impressed with the quality of the materials. It arrived in two boxes, one protecting the desktop and the other the leg supports. Both were well packaged, heavy, and somewhat bulky, so find someone to help you move them around. We found the pieces to be neatly organized inside the packaging, making assembly efficient and straightforward. 

Building the desk was a breeze thanks to the included printed instructions and how the parts were packaged. The pictures and instructions were easy to follow, and the hardware was pre-packaged and easy to identify. We appreciated the pre-drilled holes that made alignment and installation smooth without second-guessing, measuring, or adjusting. Wiring the desk motors to the controller is easy, and with the included adjustable cable straps, we could cleanly organize the motor and controller cables out of sight. It took 45 minutes to assemble the SmartDesk Pro with the provided hand tools (you will need to source a screwdriver).

Once assembled, we did ask a second person to help flip the desk upright and move it into position. If multiple people were building the desk, it could easily be assembled in under 30 minutes. Once in position, we found the power cable for the motor to be shorter than we would prefer. When the table is at its highest setting, the plug does not reach the floor. We had to add an additional extension cord to reach our outlet nearby.

The Autonomous SmartDesk Pro we tested came in a clean, all-white white look that feels modern yet not sterile. In our setup, we found the desktop large enough to hold a laptop and second monitor while still having some margin for extra documents without feeling overly cramped. The desktop features two well-placed cable drop grommet holes along the back on either side, with some rubber inserts in the solid metal covers to hold the cables in place. To run cables through the cable holes, we had to semi-disassemble them by twisting and pulling up the cover, removing the rubber insert, dropping the cables in place, and then reassembling the cover again. The design provides a very secure cable management system, albeit not as easy to drop a few extra cables in easily. At most, you’ll fit two or maybe three cables through the insert before removing the cover completely to run any additional cables as the cable slot in the grommet cover is non-adjustable.

Design and Build Quality

Overall we were impressed with the design and build quality of the Autonomous SmartDesk Pro. Each component feels solid, secure, and made to last. Autonomous also states that the desk will support up to 310 lbs (we did not test) which is more than enough to support most desktop setups.

The SmartDesk Pro offers a wide range of height adjustability that we found suitable for many different work environments, whether you want to sit or stand. You should easily find a comfortable fit regardless if you’re using an office chair, stool or when standing.

In our testing, we found the programmable controller easy to use, with up/down buttons for manual adjustments and 4 programmable memory presets that make storing any combination of sit and stand positions easy. We found this especially helpful when sharing a desk with two people – each could program a sit and stand preset. Additionally, the manual adjustment buttons make micro-adjustments a snap.

We found the matte white tabletop and legs surprisingly able to hide smudges, fingerprints, and dust well, and it is easily cleaned with a damp rag or Magic Eraser. Autonomous recommends cleaning with any non-abrasive cleaning solution/rag or disinfectant wipe when needed. Overall, we were highly impressed with the desk’s solid feel, ease of keeping clean and modern look. Autonomous also offers various desktop and leg styles to custom-match your desk to your office environment.

In Use

We love using the Autonomous SmartDesk Pro. The motor is quiet (<48 dB in our test), smooth, and stable. The desktop is spacious enough for a dual monitor setup or laptop and second monitor and provides ample room to spread out a few pages of documents as well. Depending on your setup, you may consider adding one of our recommended best monitor stands to raise your screens to eye level for better ergonomics. If you need additional space for extra peripherals like a printer or document storage, Autonomous offers the ability to upgrade to a larger desktop. And as we mentioned before, this desk can hold plenty of weight, so you can rest assured your equipment will be safely supported.

We were also quite impressed with the desk's height range – at its lowest setting, the desktop was 26.0 inches high, and at its highest, 51.6 inches (both slightly different on our controller than what was listed on the spec sheet). At its full extension, we noticed some slight flex and movement when leaning on the table, typing on a keyboard, or starting the motor, nothing gave us any reason for concern.

We liked the look and feel of the desktop finish and found it held up well against scuff marks, ink stains, and liquids, even after weeks of testing. The SmartDesk Pro is easy to clean should it get dirty and has maintained its sharp look over time. Additionally, Autonomous has prioritized making the desktop comfortable to stand or sit at with smoothly curved edges that won’t bother your wrists after a long work day.

Final Verdict

We think the Autonomous SmartDesk Pro is smart for many professionals looking to upgrade their office setup with a standing desk solution. With several desktop sizes and a wide range of styles, you’ll find something sure to elevate your office space environment. We found the SmartDesk Pro sturdy, quiet, durable, and affordable. With a huge range of height adjustments, you’ll find a comfortable and ergonomic position to sit or stand all day long. And when you want to customize your desk space even more, Autonomous also offers reasonably priced accessories to help maximize your workspace and set you up for success.

• Looking for a chair to pair with your standing desk? Check out our guide to the best office chair

No surprise given its name, DocuSign is designed to let you add your digital signature to documents. That’s an important feature in a global and increasingly remote workplace - from payment collection to onboarding new employees. But is there more to one of the best eSign software apps on the market than electronic signatures?  

DocuSign: Pricing & plans

• Numerous plans offering an increasing number of features with a generous free trial 

Like most eSign apps, DocuSign is subscription based, and the more you pay, the more features you can access.

The Personal plan is $15 a month or $120 a year. With it, you get integration with some of the best cloud storage services, including Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive. You can configure an audit trail, set up reminders and notifications, use and create templates. There are also mobile apps, so you can keep track of your documents while on the go. The worst part of this deal is that you're only allowed to send five documents to be signed per month.

That restrictive limit is removed from the Standard plan and up. In addition to the above, you also gain the ability to apply customized branding, add comments, get team reports, and grab in-person eSignatures (which is done via the mobile app, during face to face meetings). This tier is priced at $45 a month or $300 a year. 

Business Pro adds to the existing tiers by including signer attachments, collaborative fields (which allows recipients to propose changes to fields), advanced fields like conditional fields, drawing fields, and formulas. There’s a way to collect payments and SMS authentication - a service you pay extra for on top of your monthly subscription: This plan costs $65 a month or $480 a year. 

Finally, there’s Advanced Solutions. This organization-focused plan has no advertised cost as it’s more of a custom bespoke solution. It offers enterprise-level support, embedded signing, admin/user management, advanced branding, and customisable usage limits.

Should you only need to sign documents yourself, and don’t need any of xtra editing and managing options, there’s also DocuSign Free Edition. You can also try the service out for free for 30 days.

• Pricing & plans: 4/5

DocuSign: Registration

• It looks easy, but it’s a cumbersome process, especially its ‘prove you’re a human’ section

Here’s something we really liked about DocuSign - no credit card information is required to set-up. You just type in your email address to get started, which makes the login in process quick and easy. Because if there’s one thing we really didn’t like, it’s the platform’s cumbersome CAPTCHA-like system to prove you’re not a robot. You have to rotate an animal until its orientation matches the direction of the hand in an adjoining image. Doing that once would be tolerable, but you have to do it four or five times (it varies). This feels like overkill.

Another annoyance during the setting up process is having to give DocuSign your phone number. The process also won’t work if you have a VPN switched on. You’re told it’s unable to set up an account for you, and you’ll have to go through the whole long anti-robot verification process again. You have been warned - we tried it, so you don’t have to. Thankfully, this only happens during registration, not each time you log into the service.  

• Registration: 2.5/5

DocuSign: Signatures

• You’re offered the usual options: font-based, drawn, or uploaded 

When you first start, you’ll find yourself in the Dashboard, with a sidebar on the left and some menus at the top of the window. If you haven’t already, you need to set up your signature. The quickest way to access this is by clicking on the blue Show Me button, and selecting Adopt Your Signature from the drop-down menu.

From there, you get to choose your default signature and initials. You’re presented with five font-based options, but if this doesn’t appeal, the Draw section lets create your own unique signature. Trying to do this with a mouse or trackpad is more often than not a challenge. For that reason, we liked seeing the option to upload a photo bearing your signature or your initials, which you would’ve created with a more traditional pen and paper or using a drawing tablet. 

• Signatures: 4.5/5 

DocuSign: Signing & editing

• Editing, customizing, distributing and managing your documents can be done great ease

DocuSign is mostly geared towards collaborative work. You prepare and send documents to others, for recipients to sign, review, or store. As such, if you only need to sign a document yourself, you have to go through the same process of uploading a file, and choosing the recipient (in this case, solely you). A peculiar quirk that feels a little convoluted, but at least the platform doesn’t send you an email with a link to your own document - instead takes you straight to the editing process itself.

If you are forwarding a document to recipients, you get to type in a message to all of them, as well as providing DocuSign with their email addresses.

You’ll find that this service offers you more than just the ability to electronically sign your name. After all, most files have blank fields that need to be filled and there are a series of options to do that in the sidebar to the left.

Many cannot be altered here and provide a quick way to insert your signature, initials, current date, and even information you’ve already given DocuSign such as your name, company name, email address, that sort of thing. You just click on the one you wish to add, then click on the document to add it. After that, a simple matter to drag it around to reposition it if need be. Some, like your signature, can be resized, although most cannot.

There’s also a text field and a checkbox feature you can use to further provide any requested information.

Once you’re done, you’re offered the option to send your completed document to relevant parties, but this can easily be dismissed should you prefer or need to pass on your files in a different way. Back in the Dashboard you’ll find buttons to download to your computer, or send it to your printer.

You’ll find DocuSign very easy to understand and use, and it really comes into its own when part of a workflow for a small, medium or even large company.

• Signing & editing: 4/5 

DocuSign: Scorecard

Should I buy...?

Buy it if...

You’re filling and signing and sharing a lot of documents, and need to monitor the progress every step of the way. 

Don't buy it if...

Your needs are much more basic, and really only need to sign the odd document now and again, in which case DocuSign Free Edition could be a better fit. 

Cooler Master MasterHUB: Two-minute review

When Cooler Master told me, pre-Computex 2023, that it’s coming after Elgato, it was hard for me not to get excited. The content creation hardware brand has long established its dominance, remaining pretty much unchallenged for a few years for good reason – the products are amazing. So when someone tells me they’re launching a new line of products that will put it to shame, you bet your bottom New Taipei Dollar I’m going to be there to check it out.

The Cooler Master MasterHUB was one of the things I really looked forward to seeing at Computex, and I’m glad I did. This tool is truly impressive and a testament to not just CM’s creatively unbridled way of doing things but also its new found commitment to what it calls the tech lifestyle, whose whole point is to unify and consolidate all your devices in an ecosystem that serves the different purposes you need from it in a fun, bright, and playful way.

Eventually down the line, Cooler Master is going to integrate a smart home aspect as well, so you can also use the device to simplify your home life just like it now aims to simplify your work life. But that’s probably not going to happen until 2024 at the earliest. Besides, the MasterHub is already looking like it’s punching above its weight with its current functionality.

Since it’s not in its final production phase (there will be tweaks in the design, color, size of knobs – basically to increase user appeal and match Cooler Master’s overall ecosystem), it’s a little hard to talk about its superficial design, but probably the one thing it doesn’t have over the Corsair Stream Deck in its current iteration is looks. Appearance-wise, the MasterHUB isn’t what I would call pretty or elegant. It reminds me of those Cold War nuclear panels you often see on TV, except its buttons are lit up and its LED dial can display a photo of your beloved cat (and who doesn’t want that) or Pedro Pascal. 

Not that it’s ugly, but it’s certainly less sleek and modern-looking than the Elgato Stream Deck. Thank goodness this isn’t the final look.

If they were to keep this aesthetic, Cooler Master will certainly make up for that with its modularity. Instead of just a single device, this takes more of a bluebottle approach in that it’s made up of several different things, which means you can mix and match the way it suits your workflow best. 

The Cooler Master MasterHUB has nine different modules and a 6x4 base that allows you to piece together your own personalized device. This base has a four- or five-module capacity, but CM is already planning on rolling out more (a 5x2 one and a much bigger 10x10 one) so you can have all the controls you want. You know, if you want to follow CM’s example and just go all out.

Yes, unlike the Stream Deck, which is mostly just buttons (in fact, it’s only the new Stream Deck + that has knobs), the MasterHUB does go all out with its knobs, dials, scroll wheels, touch screen displays, and a 13-inch wheel with an IPS display. And they’re all incredibly satisfying, easy, and comfortable to use so you don’t have another reason to worry about repetitive strain injuries.

Assembly is easy as well. Attaching and removing the modules from the base is effortless since it’s all magnetic. If you want to change the arrangement, you can do that at any time too since the base is designed to just automatically detect and connect every module. 

Setting it up for the first time is a breeze as well, as it is plug and play. Really, the hardest part of the whole thing is assigning all your individual controls to the apps and in-app functions you want, which is more time consuming than hard since the new MasterControl software, which CM will roll out soon, is just amazingly uncomplicated (no hair-pulling here when you’re customizing your devices).

There is a stand on hand to prop up your device higher, but that’s something you have to purchase separately. Only a magnetic foot is included in the box, and like the modules, it easily snaps onto the base for convenience.

It’s too early to really dig into the Cooler Master MasterHUB’s performance. After all, I only sparingly used it in a showroom, and not all the controls were assigned to apps and functions. What I can say, however, is that it looks to respond quickly to your presses and turns, and it takes a fraction of a second to register a newly-assigned setting via MasterControl, which means you can change a control’s assigned function on-the-fly.

For optimal performance, it does use APIs to the most commonly used software and apps. At the time of writing, there are currently three: Photoshop, Premier, and OBS Studio. However, CM is planning on rolling out about 10 on its release. And Bryant Nguyen, CM’s General Manager of Core Tech Center, assured me that you can pretty much assign any controls to most applications even without an API. And I’ll make sure to test that as soon as I get my hands on a unit for proper testing.

CoolerMaster MasterHUB: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? TBA
• When is it available? 3rd week of November
• Where can you get it? Worldwide

At this time, Cooler Master cannot share the MSRP on the system, as well as the individual modules and accessories. What I can tell you is that the MasterHUB will be available, at least initially, in three kits: the Streamer Kit, Photo Editor Kit, and the Video Editor Kit, and each one will be a different configuration.

It is slated for launch in the third week of November, however, and will be available worldwide.

CoolerMaster MasterHUB: Early verdict

From what I’ve seen so far, however, the Cooler Master MasterHUB looks to be quite an impressive piece of kit. Its modular nature makes it extremely versatile and allows it to have so many use cases – not to mention, so much fun to use, but CM has made it so that it’s also incredibly easy and uncomplicated to use.

There’s also diversity here. Whereas the Stream Deck has four knobs, one LED display, and mostly buttons, the MasterHUB has sliders, knobs, scroll wheels, touch displays, and a display wheel. And Bryant Nguyen assures me that the whole system will be available at a much more accessible price point.

But will it be a nail in Corsair’s Stream Deck coffin? Well, seeing as Corsair also has something exciting in store at Computex 2023 (I’ll report on that soon), time will tell.

HyperX Cloud III: Two-minute review

I am honestly loving this trend of gaming headset manufacturers competing against themselves rather than against each other. Brands like SteelSeries, Razer, Logitech, and now HyperX seem to be making it less about how they can beat the competition and more about how they can top their already impressive and well-beloved products.

SteelSeries literally overhauled its amazing Arctis line with the Arctis Nova, cementing its status as the best premium gaming headset brand. Razer made up for the great but flaw-riddled Razer BlackShark V2 Pro by fixing its issues and giving its ‘predecessor’ the same name, just to make it clear that our grievances didn’t go unnoticed. And Logitech took its best wireless gaming headset and made it even more superior by creating a whole new driver.

And now, we’ve got HyperX, tugging on our economizing heartstrings with an overhaul of the crowd-favorite HyperX Cloud II Wireless and even made it cheaper for good measure. With the release of the HyperX Cloud III, the Cloud is finally the best gaming headset it could be and really earning all that loyal fandom behind it.

If you don’t know already, the HyperX Cloud III’s predecessor had gathered quite a following due to its affordable price tag and good sound quality. So much so that if you look up what the best gaming headset is on Reddit, a number of people are likely to mention it alongside pricier options. 

My thing about that headset though is that I honestly didn’t get the hype. To me, it was a decent option at best, one that’s only good if you were on a tight budget. But then, you could also say that about a couple of offerings from Corsair and Turtle Beach. 

With the HyperX Cloud III, however, it’s clear that HyperX has upped its game since. It’s superior to its predecessor in every way with its better audio, more robust build quality, improved comfort, more connectivity options, a more modern look, and an elevated mic. 

I mention the mic last here specifically because it’s also the headset’s best feature. It’s one of the best mic on a gaming headset I’ve ever used, and the fact that it’s on a sub-$100/£100 one is even more astounding.

First, let’s have a chat about the improved design. HyperX has updated the look so that the HyperX Cloud III keeps up with the trends. Not that I do not love the look of the last one – I did appreciate the stitched edges of the headband, but this design is sleeker, more elegant, and has beautiful curves, even on the yokes. It’s what the gaming headset would look like if it miraculously melded together with a pair of Sony headphones.

The headband boasts a slightly plushier foam and a softer-to-the-touch leatherette finish, and it’s extremely bendable as well, making it more pliable that adds to its comfort. Adding to that comfort are the thicker ear cups, which are also very plush. 

Thick memory foam in ear pads and headband certainly make for a very cushy experience. This is billed as “signature comfort” for good reason. The leatherette feels premium, even if it doesn’t feel like the most breathable material. If you tend to run hot, especially when gaming, you might want to give this a try first before committing.

HyperX says that the headset is more robust as well. And besides the 3.5mm and USB connectivity, you’re also getting USB-C, which makes it all the more versatile in terms of the platforms it’s compatible with. 

One of the best things about this gaming headset is that it’s incredibly lightweight, which really does add to your gaming experience. It might not be something you’ll notice in the beginning, but it’ll definitely help if you’re playing for hours at a time.

As with HyperX’s gaming peripherals, this has app support via the Ngenuity App, which is straightforward and easy to use, if not incredibly feature-rich. You can set volume, mic volume, mic monitoring, toggle surround sound, and use EQ, but that’s about it really. You do have access to multiple profiles and create more though. You can either choose a preset or create a new one yourself, and all of them are customizable via the 10-band EQ.

If you’re an EQ newbie, don’t worry about it. The HyperX Cloud III is a brighter-sounding headphone, but not painfully so. Besides, there’s a lot of people that prefer that. I personally do not mind it myself. It does have that “smile” frequency curve, which means it’s giving boosted lows and highs but less mids.

That means that the high end is crisp and detailed, and the low end has a lot of oomph – just what people look for in their gaming headset. In Kena: Bridge of Spirits, I could clearly hear all the twinkling sounds in the game, especially when I’m sending out a pulse while the low end gives the soundgrack gravitas.

Hip-hop music like Kedrick Lamar’s Humble also sounds pretty good on these headphones. However, the mids are somewhat recessed so rock music sounds anemic.

The soundstage is good but not anything special – about on par with most decent gaming headsets - but the sound imaging is more than adequate to clearly hear where everything is, including far-off enemies in games likes CS:GO. There is DTS:X Spatial Sound, but you can only turn it on and off without further adjustments. It makes everything a little wider and a little more immersive, but it is subtle compared to other surround sound tech.

Finally, let’s chat about that mic. The detachable microphone on this headset delivers improved clarity, and it sounds incredibly good – much better, in fact, than the mics on pricier headsets. It is clear and seems to reject background noise like keyboard presses though it does pick up voices from across the room. It’s somewhat susceptible to plosives but not too bad, and it does a great job minimizing sibilance.

HyperX Cloud III: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $99.99 (about £99.99, AU$150)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Another great thing that HyperX is doing for fans of its products is drop the price. Apparently, giving one of its most popular products a massive overhaul and making it better in every aspect isn't enough. It made it affordable as well, which I'm sure is much appreciated in this economy.

The HyperX Cloud III is just $99.99 (about £99.99, AU$150), making it $50 cheaper than its predecessor. If the other one couldn't count as a budget gaming headset before, this one certainly is.

It's also a fantastic value for a wireless option. Newer wireless gaming headsets like the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) and the Logitech Pro X 2 Wireless Lightspeed are pricier propositions, and there are things the Cloud III does better.

• Value: 5 / 5

HyperX Cloud III: Specs

Should you buy the HyperX Cloud III?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

HyperX Cloud III: Also consider

How I tested the HyperX Cloud III

• Tested the headset for a week
• Used it for gaming, listening to music, and streaming shows
• Used it with games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

I used the HyperX Cloud III as my main wireless headset for gaming, listening to music, and watching my favorite shows for about a week. I used it to play titles like CS: GO, Cyberpunk 2077 and Kena: Bridge of Spirits, paying close attention to not just its audio quality but its mic performance as well. 

As I always do, I also used to to jump on video calls with colleagues, listen to music, and streaming some of my favorite shows like Wednesday.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using gaming headsets for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience along with my discerning audio tastes make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

Street Fighter 6 is finally here after what felt like an eternity. But it brings me nothing but joy to report that the wait for the latest installment in Capcom’s legendary fighting game series has been worth it. Almost every facet of Street Fighter 6 is appealing to the broad audience it targets, and you’ll have heaps of content to delve into when it launches on June 2.

Developed in Capcom’s RE Engine, Street Fighter 6 dazzles with exceptional visuals and style. Expressive, highly-detailed character models mesh gorgeously with graffiti-like flourishes and particle effects that splash across the screen whenever special moves fly. Street Fighter 6’s style lends so much vibrancy to its fights, a far cry from the relatively muted Street Fighter 5.

The actual fighting in Street Fighter 6 wows even more than its remarkable visuals. Its 6-button setup is Street Fighter through and through, but the newly added Drive Gauge sets each and every fight apart with its array of supplementary mechanics. From the Drive Impact that can break through an opponent’s aggression to a Drive Parry that, when timed perfectly, can give you an instant frame advantage, the gauge ensures every character has access to a veritable Swiss army knife of defensive options if managed effectively. 

And if that all sounds a bit much, fear not; Street Fighter 6’s excellent World Tour mode does a great job of getting new players up to speed, presenting opportunities to learn the game’s systems and each character's move set.

Street Fighter 6’s biggest strength is that it is incredibly welcoming. The fighting genre is a daunting one, but Street Fighter 6 embraces new players brilliantly. Whether that’s through World Tour or forgiving online ranking systems, the game makes sure newcomers feel just as much at home as the pros do. 

Around the world

The first item on the docket for many Street Fighter 6 players will be the ambitious World Tour mode. This sprawling single player adventure first has you creating your own custom character – a first for the series. Capcom hasn’t been shy with the sliders here, allowing you to create something convincingly cool, or something that wouldn’t look out of place in Resident Evil’s Spencer Mansion.

World Tour is a fully 3D, third-person adventure, the majority of which’ll have you roaming the busy streets of Metro City. Think New York, but with people running around with cardboard boxes on their heads. While there is a critical path to follow that’ll introduce you to Street Fighter’s iconic world warriors, you’ll likely be much more tempted to trek off the beaten path. Metro City is impressively dense with side quests, treasures and all manner of Easter eggs tucked down its narrow streets, dark alleyways and open parks. 

Most of the city’s residents will also be up for a fight, and challenging them will near-seamlessly switch to the usual two-dimensional plane. In fights you’ll make use of move sets and specials you’ve learned from your Masters (the game’s roster of fighters that you’ll find either as part of the story or from side quests and yes, you can give them gifts and improve bonds with them), earning experience, items and clothing to boost your stats.

Fights are typically very quick, but you won’t always be the one to instigate them. NPCs marked with a red name will charge at you on-sight, a la the Yakuza series. If you’re quick on the draw, you can hit them first for an advantage in battle, which does help to alleviate the frustration of how these fights can play out. Depending on where you are on the map, a veritable clown car of goons can line up to fight you. It occasionally led to me being stuck in the same spot for about five minutes while every gang nut in the vicinity charged in for a scrap.

The World Tour mode does have some flaws. Aside from the occasional goon parade, fights later in the game can drag on. That’s often thanks to bloated stats and health bars. It’ll mean you’ll need to chug healing items mid-fight a lot, which hardly feels fair. There's some visual oddities, too. Distant NPCs and objects update at a lower framerate, which is common to see in other RE Engine games like Monster Hunter Rise. It's unfortunate to see it here, but it by no means a deal breaker for the mode at large.

Still, even with its problems, World Tour is loads of fun, and certainly feels like a Matryoshka-esque game within a game. It very much reminded me of a quirky PS2-era brawler, like The Warriors or Mortal Kombat Deception’s awesome Konquest mode. It’s absolutely packed with charm, and I really can’t get enough of it. 

Full control

Street Fighter 6’s fundamentals aren’t too dissimilar from series’ tradition, but new mechanics (some reworked from older entries) and robust alternate control schemes will help players from all walks of life gain a decent foothold.

One of Street Fighter 6’s standout features is its various control schemes. Classic is the game how it’s always been; 6-button setup and full manual inputs for special moves, throws, Drive Gauge abilities and the like. This mode’ll give you full control over your fighter, but that naturally entails a higher skill ceiling. The Classic control scheme can be a bit finicky on a gamepad, but is well-suited for the best fight sticks.

Modern controls provide a more streamlined experience, and is the setup recommended for newer players. Perfect for controllers, Modern allows players to string together combos and inputs special moves far easier thanks to preset macros for each of the game’s eighteen fighters. Think a certain fighter looks cool, but find them hard to play? Try switching to Modern controls to get a better feel for them, and potentially use them more effectively.

Lastly is the Dynamic control scheme, which is a strictly casual setting and is only available offline. Dynamic will automatically input attacks and specials based on the distance between you and your opponent. It’s great for more laid back play sessions, but if you’re serious about learning the ins and outs of Street Fighter 6, then I’d say stick to either Classic or Modern.

I’d be remiss to not mention Street Fighter 6’s incredible accessibility suite. Clearly dedicated to helping as many people enjoy the game as possible, Capcom has included a swathe of accessibility settings to assist players where needed. Most notably, the publisher has partnered with accessibility firm ePARA to develop options for blind or low-vision players. These include audio prompts to let players know the distance between them and the opponent, and one that distinguishes between high, mid and low hits with distinctive cues.

This is unprecedented within the genre, but I know Capcom can go further. There unfortunately doesn’t appear to be any support for colorblind players at launch, which seems like a huge oversight. Hopefully this is something the developer can patch in soon after launch, as the existing commitment to accessibility is very admirable.

Rank up

Lastly, let’s delve into Fighting Ground and Battle Hub, the other two marquee modes in Street Fighter 6. Fighting Ground is pretty straightforward; a large collection of modes and training suites that are perfect for local play and improving your skills. It’s here where you’ll find a robust Arcade mode, options for local versus matches, and the fervent Extreme Battle mode. There’s also a marvelous tutorial that’ll introduce the fundamentals of the game, as well as guides and combo trials for every fighter.

Once you’ve gotten a good feel for your fave in Fighting Ground, there’s a good chance you’ll want to take the fight online. That’s where the Battle Hub comes in. Battle Hub is an open space populated by player-created characters that’s dotted with arcade machines. 

Sitting at one of these machines will effectively queue you up for a match; all it takes is for another player to sit right opposite you. However, I found the more reliable option to be to enable constant match queuing in the options menu.

During the betas and the online sessions that took place over the review period, I was never hurting for matches. Lobbies were well-populated and functional for the most part. Capcom has employed the use of rollback netcode, meaning that most matches ran smoothly with minimal lag. Of course, mileage will still vary here based on the quality of connection, so I recommend hooking your console or PC up with an ethernet cable for the most consistent connection quality.

Battle Hub successfully sells a feeling of community, and whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, hanging out here long enough is likely to land you some like-minded friends. It also helps that rematches are instantaneous, which is fantastic for fostering spirited rivalries and intense back-and-forth play sessions.

Real World Warriors

Street Fighter 6 is a landmark release in its genre, and with it, Capcom has reclaimed its throne among the best fighting games out there. Its fighting is more polished than ever, and the addition of the Drive Gauge lends a ton of strategy and split-second decision making to every single fight.

Whether you’re just here to check out the globetrotting World Tour mode, or staying for online fun in the Battle Hub, there’s no part of Street Fighter 6’s package that feels particularly lacking. Offline and on, there’s so much to sink your teeth into between its three standalone sectors. Street Fighter 6, above all else, is a fighting game that’s for everyone.