Summary
- Survival modes add a fun twist to fighting games, offering a challenge while testing new combos.
- Each game has unique rules and features in their survival modes, keeping gameplay exciting.
- Games like My Hero One's Justice 2 and Naruto X Boruto offer unique twists for survival fun.
Though survival modes haven't exactly become a standard within fighting games, they're always a welcome addition that can be a ton of fun to jump into occasionally. Of course, it's always a thrill trying to hold out for as long as possible against an endless number of opponents. Still, survival modes can also be used for training purposes to test out new combos, or even just to become familiar with the game's core mechanics.
The Most Iconic Character Archetypes In Fighting Games
Fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat follow character archetypes, which can identify the playstyle of the character.
Not all survival modes follow the same rules though, and while they usually tend to follow a similar basic premise, some fighting games will try and implement extra features and mechanics to make them even more enjoyable and worthwhile. Any fighting game fans who want to take on the ultimate challenge to see how far they can go before gassing out should try out the games below, which feature some exhilarating survival modes to take on.
1 My Hero One's Justice 2
A Unique Mode That Feels Like A Survival-Strategy Hybrid
My Hero One's Justice 2
- Developer(s)
- BYKING
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Stadia
My Hero One's Justice 2 features a very unique survival system that almost turns it into a strategy game. The way it works is once players enter the Survival Mission, they'll be presented with a board where the player, and other AI teams, must go to battle to secure a zone. This is done by jumping into big and explosive battles where the victor will wipe their opposition off the board before the game will then move to the other teams' turn, where they will also have the chance to cause damage to the enemies around them.
Of course, a staple tradition of survival modes is wounds never heal, so players will need to be cautious about not taking too much damage if they want to stand a chance of getting through the entire mission in one piece. Though it might be a little too slow-paced for some, those who like the idea of mixing in a little bit of a strategy angle to their fighting experience should check out the Survival Mission in My Hero One's Justice 2.
2 Naruto X Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections
The "Conditions" That Affect Every Match Make This Survival Mode A Blast To Take Part In
Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections
- Released
- November 17, 2023
- Developer(s)
- CyberConnect2
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
The Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series has always had a classic survival mode, but what makes them so much fun to be a part of is the fact each battle comes with a special condition. For the latest game in the series, Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, there's a plethora of quirky conditions that can drastically affect how a fight plays out. For one battle, both players will be able to recover their Chakra in half the time, while in the next, they'll take triple the amount of damage from Ninjutsu attacks than they normally would.
6 Best Naruto Crossovers
The iconic Naruto series has been referenced in a handful of other popular shows and games over the years.
Random effects such as these make this survival mode extremely unpredictable, but it also adds to the challenge, since there's no telling how the AI will use the condition to their advantage during an intense bout. What also helps is Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections features a massive cast of over 100 characters to choose from, which makes it a ton of fun to run through survival multiple times with different fighters to see who can last the longest.
3 Street Fighter 4
Features An Addictive Yet Simple Survival Game Mode
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter 4's survival mode is pretty traditional as far as the mode goes, with players taking on as many opponents as they can while holding onto the life and stamina that they've got left. However, there are a few small alterations and additions that prove this was more than just a throwaway mode tossed in at the last minute. For example, survival in Street Fighter 4 is split up into either Normal or Hard, with each difficulty offering different rewards.
This will also determine how much health the player recovers between each match, but since this is a survival mode after all, the total amount is always fairly low, all things considered. This game also includes a plentiful variety of character types that keep matches feeling fresh and unpredictable, and it can be a good way to learn more about matchups before going against real opponents online.
4 Garou Mark Of The Wolves
The Emphasis On Time In This Mode Makes It Extremely Competitive
- Release Date: November 1999
- Developer: SNK
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Switch, Arcade
While players will need to watch out for their health in the survival mode for Garou Mark of the Wolves, there's something else that is actually more important this time around - the time. The way this mode works is that players will be pitted against a handful of deadly fighters who they must try to beat in as little time as possible. This time will carry over into each fight so that players can easily see if they're lagging behind their previous score, or if they're on track to reach a high spot on the online leaderboards.
The mode also features small bonuses that will drop from enemies to spice things up a little. For example, now and again, there will be little P orbs which can drastically increase the character's strength, while others can restore some of the health bar. It's without a doubt one of, if not the most competitive version of survival ever seen in a fighting game, to the point where it could be its own game entirely.
5 BlazBlue: Central Fiction
Injects A Healthy Dose Of RPG Mechanics Into Its Grim Abyss Mode
BlazBlue: Central Fiction
- Developer(s)
- Arc System Works
Though the BlazBlue games always had a survival mode known as Abyss Mode, it was with BlazBlue: Central Fiction that the extra game mode would be almost entirely overhauled to become a lot more technical and challenging. The Grim Abyss Mode in Central Fiction incorporates several RPG mechanics, such as how players can obtain new skills by defeating enemies, or attach Grimoires to their character to implement certain buffs to help out with some of the trickier fights.
Considering there are well over 50 Skills that can be acquired throughout this mode, it allows players to get creative with their character builds to see how powerful they can become in their fight for survival. The mode also offers a plentiful selection of dungeons to take on that all differ by difficulty, rewards, and even the types of enemies that are involved.
The 18 Best Controllers For Fighting Games
Players serious about their fighting games may want to consider the following controllers.