How to play Streets of Rage Remake v5.2 on Linux (CachyOS) (Updated 2025)

Updated: March 2025

Introduction

Download Streets of Rage Remake v5.2 (revision 550) which is available as a zip archive from the following sources:

Extract the zip, and you will have access to the main SORRv52 folder which contains all of the necessary game files.

Optional: I store my games in the /home/[username]/Games/ folder. This is how I have Streets of Rage Remake on my computer:

/home/steve/Games/SORRv52/

Update CachyOS

Launch your preferred terminal app and update CachyOS using this terminal command:

sudo pacman -Syu

Confirm the update, give it time, then close the terminal when the update has concluded. A reboot may be necessary.

Option #1: Using Heroic Games Launcher

Launch Heroic Games Launcher, and select the Wine Manager option from the sidebar. The GE-PROTON tab should be selected by default, but if it isn’t, select that tab. You’ll know that you’re looking at the correct tab if you see a notice which reads, ‘GE-Proton is a Proton variant created by Glorious Eggroll […]’

Under Wine Version, find the GE-Proton-Latest entry (which is usually the first item at the very top of the list) and click the download button under Action. The GE-Proton-Latest compatibility layer will auto-download and install itself.

Select the Library option from the sidebar.

Click the Add Game button, and use the following settings:

Game/App Title: Streets of Rage Remake

App Image: Leave blank. Heroic Games Launcher will automatically assign a suitable Streets of Rage Remake-themed image.

Select Platform Version to Install: Windows.

Show Wine Settings: View the drop-down options.

WinePrefix: Leave as-is.

Wine version: Proton – GE-Proton-Latest

Select Executable: Navigate to your recently extracted SORRv52 folder, and select the SorR.exe file inside. The location of this file for me is:

/home/steve/Games/SORRv52/SorR.exe

Ignore the Run Installer First option. Simply click Finish.

Option #2: Using Lutris

[Coming soon.]

Bonus: Streets of Rage Remake v5.2 Recommended Settings

Head to the Options > Game settings menu. These are the settings we recommend:

Game Options

Level

Options: Easy / Normal (default) / Hard / Very Hard / Mania
Recommended: Normal
Higher difficulties increase enemy aggression, speed, and behaviour – enemies will even grab health items at higher difficulties. Normal provides a balanced experience for most players, while still offering a decent challenge.

Lives

Options: 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 (default) / 4 / 5
Recommended: 5
Sets your starting lives and how many lives you receive after continuing. More lives (5) gives you plenty of attempts, especially helpful when learning the game or tackling harder difficulties.

Damage Between Players

Options: Yes (default) / No
Recommended: Yes
With team damage enabled, hits only do 1/8th normal damage to allies. Keeping this on allows for team attacks/throws which can be very effective in tight situations. When set to No, you completely lose the ability to grab your partner, eliminating team attacks.

Star Moves

Options: B Button (default) / X Button
Recommended: X Button
X Button gives you maximum flexibility – use your 0-star Blitz with the Attack button or your current star-level Blitz with the Special Combo button at any time. This is especially valuable for characters like Max and Rudra who have great crowd-control 0-star blitzes but slower 3-star blitzes. The manual doesn’t fully explain this advantage, making X Button clearly superior.

Weapon Type

Options: SoR3 / SoR2 (default) / SoR1
Recommended: SoR3
Each type has distinct behaviours:

• SoR3: Weapons have breakage meters that deplete with use, but you can grab enemies while holding weapons. You can attack with your current weapon while standing over another one.
• SoR2: No weapon breakage, but you drop weapons when grabbing enemies.
• SoR1: No weapon breakage, but you cannot drop or throw weapons at all, which becomes limiting.

SoR3 is preferred by a slim margin for the ability to grab enemies while armed, though SoR2 is excellent if you prefer weapons without breakage limits.

Meter Type

Options: Both (default) / Gauge / Timer
Recommended: Gauge
This setting affects both special move costs and level timers:

• Gauge: Uses the SoR3 special meter system where specials are free when the bar is full and cost significant health when empty. No time limit in stages.
• Timer: Uses SoR2 style where defensive specials always cost some health, and includes a stage time limit that kills you when it reaches zero.
• Both: Combines the gauge for specials with a time limit, allowing free specials when full while still maintaining time pressure.

Gauge is recommended for a more relaxed experience, though “Both” offers additional challenge and the opportunity to earn bonus “Time Remaining” points at level completion.

Combo Type

Options: SoR3 (default) / SoR2
Recommended: SoR3
SoR3 significantly reduces recovery time after attacks, allowing for much quicker movement afterward. It also executes full attack combos even when not hitting enemies. SoR2 adds considerable delay before you can move again, which can be punishing in this faster-paced remake, especially at higher difficulties.

Jump Type

Options: SoR3 (default) / SoR2 / SoR1
Recommended: SoR3
Each type controls differently:

• SoR3: Provides precise control during jumps while maintaining your facing direction, ideal for jump kicks.
• SoR2: Offers realistic but stiffer jumping with less control.
• SoR1: Allows mid-air direction changes but with slightly less precision in targeting.

SoR3 is recommended for its control precision, though SoR1 is a close second if you prefer being able to change direction mid-jump.

Collision Type

Options: Hitbox SoR2 (default) / Hitbox SoR3 / Auto SoR2 / Auto SoR3
Recommended: Hitbox SoR2 (Default)
This setting affects hit detection between characters. Since detailed information isn’t available, the default setting is recommended.

Death Type

Options: SoR (default) / Remake
Recommended: Remake
Two different respawn mechanics:

• SoR: Classic recovery where you drop from the top of the screen as all enemies are knocked down, giving breathing space. Special meter resets to empty.
• Remake: You stand back up where you died and retain your special meter, allowing for an immediate special move if needed.

Remake is preferred for the special meter retention, though SoR will feel most familiar to series veterans.

Camera Type

Options: SoR2 (default) / SoR3
Recommended: SoR3
Controls camera positioning:

• SoR2: Allows you to run right up to the edge of the screen. This can be risky as enemies can surprise attack you from outside the screen window.
• SoR3: Keeps your character centred in the frame, reducing the chance of off-screen enemies landing cheap hits.

SoR3 provides better visibility of potential threats, improving gameplay fairness.

Pause Delay

Options: Combined (default) / SoR2 / SoR3 / Remake
Recommended: SoR3
Controls recovery time after attacks:

• Combined: Uses each character’s original game recovery timing.
• SoR2: Longer recovery time for all actions.
• SoR3: Shortest recovery time, allowing for quicker follow-up actions.
• Remake: Falls somewhere in between SoR2 and SoR3 in terms of attack speed.

SoR3 is recommended for responsive controls and faster-paced combat, letting you hit enemies quickly and move with minimal delay.

Attack Damage

Options: Original (default) / Balanced
Recommended: Original (Default)
Since detailed information isn’t available, the default setting is recommended.

SoR3 Exceptions

Options: No (default) / Yes
Recommended: No
This setting affects several gameplay mechanics:

• No: Allows diagonal dash movement, making gameplay smoother and more responsive.
• Yes: Restricts diagonal dashing and changes grab mechanics (enemies are released if another enemy is hit while grabbing).

No is recommended for the crucial diagonal dash ability, which significantly improves mobility.

Use Guns

Options: Yes (default) / No / Ammo
Recommended: Yes
When enabled, allows you to pick up and use handguns, uzis, and rocket launchers. These add variety and fun to gameplay with their unique attack patterns.

Enable Police

Options: Yes (default) / No
Recommended: Yes
Allows you to use the signature Streets of Rage special ability to summon police support attacks. Keeping this classic series feature enabled adds strategic options.

Enable Run and Roll

Options: SoR3 (default) / BK3 / No
Recommended: SoR3
Controls vertical roll mechanics:

• SoR3: Rolls travel furthest in your chosen direction, providing maximum mobility.
• BK3: Rolls cover a shorter distance.
• No: Disables vertical rolling completely.

SoR3 offers the best manoeuvrability for avoiding attacks.