Though not much different than other two-dimensional fighters, the game’s combat system is a step above its competition. Each character has a handful of normal attacks and special attacks, two super moves, and one CLIMAX super move. There are sixteen unique pre-set teams, and players have the ability to make their own teams out of the fifty characters available (forty-eight unlocked from the start plus two boss characters who are playable after finishing Story mode). Though individual characters lack the depth of those found in games like Street Fighter V, the roster size makes up for it. In terms of gameplay, King of Fighters XIV offers a surprisingly deep experience. Considering how poor the English audio was in the King of Fighters: Maximum Impact games, this isn’t a major misstep, however, it would have been nice to have the option to choose between the two languages like players are able to do in Street Fighter V. The only fault I can find here is that, with the exception of the announcers, all the game’s audio is done in Japanese. Players can listen to their favourite music, as well as the audio for the game’s characters, in Gallery mode. There is also special rivals music, which are remixed versions of memorable tunes from previous games that play when certain characters fight each other. There is a variety of different stage music ranging from Chinese-styled electronic to country rock, each designed for specific locations. Despite this, King of Fighters XIV’s audio is solid. Although character animations are fluid, and visual effects and impressive, but they don’t compare to other games on the Playstation 4. This is not just a happy accident, but a decision made by SNK after the negative reaction to the first teaser trailer. The character models give the game an anime-like feel. That isn’t to say King of Fighters XIV is visually unattractive. To be blunt, the game looks like it could have been released for the Playstation 3. Character models and backgrounds are more than adequate, but lack the detail found in other fighter games like Street Fighter V and Mortal Kombat X. Graphically, King of Fighters XIV isn’t impressive. What role Verse will play in future games is uncertain, but I’m interested to see where this newest King of Fighters storyline goes. For example, Orochi, the final boss in King of Fighters ‘97, makes a cameo appearance in one of the team’s endings. He is more of a McGuffin than an actual character, acting as a way for SNK to potentially bring back fighters from previous games. Very little is revealed about Verse, except that he harbours the souls of fighters lost in previous tournaments. Following the match with Antonov, the tournament is interrupted by a being called Verse, who serves as the game’s final boss. Much of this background is revealed in pre-match banter between characters who know each other and each team’s story ending. Each character has their reasons for entering the tournament, ranging from testing their might against other skilled fighters to carry out personal vendettas. This year’s host is a mysterious billionaire named Antonov, who not only purchased the rights to the ‘King of Fighters’ tournament, but proclaims himself to be the “first champion.” Despite his frightening appearance, Antonov is not a bad guy, an interesting change considering that previous tournament hosts included villains like Geese Howard and Rugal Bernstein. King of Fighters XIV’s story is standard fair for the series skilled fighters are sent an invitation to the ‘King of Fighters Tournament’. Did SNK deliver a champion fighting game or does it get knocked out by the competition? After a five year absence, King of Fighters has returned on the Playstation 4. The series has grown to become SNK’s flagship game, spawning thirteen sequels and numerous spin-offs. King of Fighters XIV is the latest game is a long running franchise which began as a SNK showcase, bringing in characters from the company’s other games like Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting, as well as adding new ones. Number of Players: 2 offline, 2-12 online (Free Match lobby)ĮSRB Rating: T for Teen (Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence)
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