Shadow Fight 4: Arena represents NEKKI's latest entry in the long-running fighting franchise, transitioning the series into full 3D multiplayer combat. The game builds upon its predecessors' foundation with enhanced graphics and real-time player-versus-player mechanics, positioning itself as a premium mobile fighting experience. With over 500 million downloads across the franchise and a DevGAMM Award for Best Mobile Game 2020, it enters a competitive market with established credibility. The core gameplay revolves around 3D combat mechanics featuring intricate combo systems, special moves, and character customization. Players engage in ranked matches, casual brawls, or offline bot matches, with progression systems tied to character upgrades and cosmetic items. The fighting system emphasizes timing and strategy rather than button-mashing, with depth coming from dodges, counters, and ability combinations. Visual presentation stands out with motion-captured animations and detailed character models that maintain the series' distinctive shadow aesthetic while advancing into three-dimensional space. User experience varies significantly based on device capability and network conditions. The interface employs an intuitive control scheme with virtual joystick and action buttons, though some complexity emerges in advanced combos. Real-world usage patterns show peak engagement during ranked matches and limited-time events, with average session lengths ranging from 15-45 minutes depending on match outcomes and progression goals. Performance consistency remains a concern, as even high-end devices occasionally experience frame rate drops during intensive combat sequences. User feedback reflects polarized experiences regarding technical performance. Harsha Samrat (September 4, 2025) notes monetization pressures while praising core gameplay, stating players must 'get ready to pay to get best experience.' Subhankar Das (July 11, 2025) reports persistent lag issues despite using 'a high-end device with strong internet,' indicating server-side problems. Conversely, zamurad shah (September 6, 2025) acknowledges recent improvements: 'Now i barely get any internet issues, gameplay is smooth.' These contrasting reports suggest inconsistent service quality across regions and devices. The game excels in visual presentation and combat depth but struggles with connectivity consistency and balancing issues. Its monetization model, while not aggressively pay-to-win, creates noticeable progression gaps between paying and free players. Ideal for dedicated fighting game enthusiasts willing to tolerate occasional technical issues for high-quality combat mechanics, though casual players may find the learning curve and connectivity problems frustrating. Continued updates show developer commitment to addressing concerns, but implementation remains uneven across the player base.