Been months since I’ve really posted much about a fighting game, got in a bit of a mood for it recently again so here I am.
My last review was a fairly negative look at KOF XIII which I really didn’t want to do, but I found the game very uninteresting and one of my least favorite entries in the series, Unsurprisingly not too long after that I sorta fell off from playing fighting games for a bit, with a single arcade run of KOF XV and random playthroughs of KOF 98-02 when having anime on as background noise really being all I messed with after that. However, I had the urge to play some fighters as of recently and I thought it would be fair to give this game a try again. Not that I disliked it, in fact I remember enjoying it initially, but pulling out the PS4 was a hassle and I still don’t have PS Plus so playing online was a no-go. But after doing some more arcade runs and trying other characters I thought I’d write something really quick because I actually really like this game.
The presentation is pretty solid, menus are clean, character models are a big step over XIV, animations look nice, the usual. The game in general is just popping with color which I couldn’t say about XIII and I love the flourishes and hit sparks to your moves in this one. While still not near in quality to the presentational masterpiece that is KOF 2000 for me, I think modern SNK did a pretty decent job here.
Now I might come off as hypocritical here because of my hot takes on KOF XIII but I really enjoy how this one plays. It has a lot of the standard gameplay systems like previous entries, but it’s combined with a very solid roster and game feel. I noticed it was very easy to get a combo going by just trying random combinations, and I’m sure it would drive a professional crazy but I find this a good thing for newer players. You still have to actually try, of course, but there’s some of that good ol’ SNK clunk to this one that makes the game a proper tribute to the classics in my opinion. Experimentation is rewarded by the player going “now wouldn’t it be crazy if I could combo THAT” then actually trying that and pulling it off, which just gives a great reward for creative players. I’m fairly on the primitive side when it comes to making up combos in fighting games, but KOF is one series where my brain is constantly thinking up random shit I could forge together especially in the older games, and I had a similar vibe here too.
The roster is very dream match like despite being canon (although there are lore reasons for this all happening ofc) and seems to have less emphasis on original characters than what I’ve seen of XIV. This time it’s more about refining some old favorites but now in 3D (but not in whatever the hell Maximum Impact was… lol), which I’m fine with. Maybe it’s a really cynical move on the developers’ part but eh. Even so, the new characters are cool too, although Isla was the only one I’m familiar with, one of the coolest KOF character designs in a while for me. Returning characters are pretty similar to what they’ve been before, but I really like the new character designs, even one of the flat out worst designs in the franchise, Sylvie Paula Paula, is getting one for the DLC and no joke she actually looks GREAT. I don’t find this game soulless or corporate or whatever despite everything inside me feeling like I should, because there definitely is a clear amount of effort put here, I dunno. Mainly rambling at this point.
But overall this is a good entry in the series and I’m glad it exists. I’m not terribly fond of modern fighting games… and maybe the only reason I loved this one was because it feels like an older one… but I am willing to try more of these new fighting games.See you in Street Fighter 6 everybody! This is also a great game for beginners. If you’re one of those kids playing your Guilty Gear Strives or whatever this could possibly be entirely for you, just know there still is a fairly high skill ceiling here, but I find the skill floor very welcoming for fighting game newbies. Or I could be entirely wrong here.
I’ll be writing about another fighting game possibly pretty soon so… stay tuned for that.
My last review was a fairly negative look at KOF XIII which I really didn’t want to do, but I found the game very uninteresting and one of my least favorite entries in the series, Unsurprisingly not too long after that I sorta fell off from playing fighting games for a bit, with a single arcade run of KOF XV and random playthroughs of KOF 98-02 when having anime on as background noise really being all I messed with after that. However, I had the urge to play some fighters as of recently and I thought it would be fair to give this game a try again. Not that I disliked it, in fact I remember enjoying it initially, but pulling out the PS4 was a hassle and I still don’t have PS Plus so playing online was a no-go. But after doing some more arcade runs and trying other characters I thought I’d write something really quick because I actually really like this game.
The presentation is pretty solid, menus are clean, character models are a big step over XIV, animations look nice, the usual. The game in general is just popping with color which I couldn’t say about XIII and I love the flourishes and hit sparks to your moves in this one. While still not near in quality to the presentational masterpiece that is KOF 2000 for me, I think modern SNK did a pretty decent job here.
Now I might come off as hypocritical here because of my hot takes on KOF XIII but I really enjoy how this one plays. It has a lot of the standard gameplay systems like previous entries, but it’s combined with a very solid roster and game feel. I noticed it was very easy to get a combo going by just trying random combinations, and I’m sure it would drive a professional crazy but I find this a good thing for newer players. You still have to actually try, of course, but there’s some of that good ol’ SNK clunk to this one that makes the game a proper tribute to the classics in my opinion. Experimentation is rewarded by the player going “now wouldn’t it be crazy if I could combo THAT” then actually trying that and pulling it off, which just gives a great reward for creative players. I’m fairly on the primitive side when it comes to making up combos in fighting games, but KOF is one series where my brain is constantly thinking up random shit I could forge together especially in the older games, and I had a similar vibe here too.
The roster is very dream match like despite being canon (although there are lore reasons for this all happening ofc) and seems to have less emphasis on original characters than what I’ve seen of XIV. This time it’s more about refining some old favorites but now in 3D (but not in whatever the hell Maximum Impact was… lol), which I’m fine with. Maybe it’s a really cynical move on the developers’ part but eh. Even so, the new characters are cool too, although Isla was the only one I’m familiar with, one of the coolest KOF character designs in a while for me. Returning characters are pretty similar to what they’ve been before, but I really like the new character designs, even one of the flat out worst designs in the franchise, Sylvie Paula Paula, is getting one for the DLC and no joke she actually looks GREAT. I don’t find this game soulless or corporate or whatever despite everything inside me feeling like I should, because there definitely is a clear amount of effort put here, I dunno. Mainly rambling at this point.
But overall this is a good entry in the series and I’m glad it exists. I’m not terribly fond of modern fighting games… and maybe the only reason I loved this one was because it feels like an older one… but I am willing to try more of these new fighting games.
I’ll be writing about another fighting game possibly pretty soon so… stay tuned for that.
pra mim esse jogo e a prova cabal do pq a snk nunca vai crescer com sua franquia alem do nicho que ela tem.
o jogo pode ter graficos muito inferiores e budget menor mas com dedicação e tato da pra fazer algo bom mas a snk não se importa em avançar e sim jogar no certeiro.
desde animaçoes ate bonecos o jogo não arrisca quase nada e chega quase ser ridiculo o nivel escrachado de fan service pra ver se atrai alguem, não me entenda mal eu amo fan service mas aqui e so pra tapar buraco.
a snk não consegue deixar seus personagens crescer e envelhecer ou ate mesmo seguir em frente sem se prender aos moldes de historais que deram certas no passado e isso faz essa franquia parecer um loop.
Eu gosto mt de kof mas infelizmente ele vai ser isso pra sempre algo de nicho.
o jogo pode ter graficos muito inferiores e budget menor mas com dedicação e tato da pra fazer algo bom mas a snk não se importa em avançar e sim jogar no certeiro.
desde animaçoes ate bonecos o jogo não arrisca quase nada e chega quase ser ridiculo o nivel escrachado de fan service pra ver se atrai alguem, não me entenda mal eu amo fan service mas aqui e so pra tapar buraco.
a snk não consegue deixar seus personagens crescer e envelhecer ou ate mesmo seguir em frente sem se prender aos moldes de historais que deram certas no passado e isso faz essa franquia parecer um loop.
Eu gosto mt de kof mas infelizmente ele vai ser isso pra sempre algo de nicho.
genuine contender for best fighting game of all time
The fight system is KOF for sure. I just can’t vibe with the graphics, dull stage designs and bland music. I still play this often but would rather be playing the older games.
I prefer 14 but I think the combat is pretty good. I can't say much for Online play because I only play arcade but technically this game is pretty good. I do feel like this game was more of a cash grab for EVO. I'm not a fan of that shift.
so where's eiji
I don't want to sound like the "noooo my high execution" guy but the part that i liked abt kof is the gratification of doing needlessly difficult stuff with max mode and i don't find the same feeling labbing combos.
Otherwise, no complaints, not rated yet bc i have still 10> hrs in the game and im still doodoo at kof
Otherwise, no complaints, not rated yet bc i have still 10> hrs in the game and im still doodoo at kof
Literally 15?
free death combos for all characters
Criminal that SNK doesn't know how to advertise, cause this is a really good KOF game. My opinion of this is kinda like my SF6 opinion but altered. It feels stiff at times (Idk a better word to describe it, but the interactions are anything but smooth). I wouldn't put anything above really good, but that's just me.
This is definitely a good KOF game, its got some pretty cool things that we havent seen in any other game like, boss challenges, custom songs from past games for stages, has some pretty good mod support as well. They even brought back K9999 from copyright limbo, under a new name, Krohnen Mcdougall...
8
geese howard :)
Really fun KOF. Love the Garou team coming back in 3D.
That is a lot of characters and a lot of money i need to spend on them
O maior hype que eu tive na vida, muita coisa aconteceu desde o ano passado até agora e mesmo não me emocionando durante o arcade continua sendo bem importante pra mim, sempre me lembra de alguns dos momentos bons que vivi nos últimos dois anos
É um ótimo fighting game, digo que é um dos melhores da franquia e possui um dos melhores elencos da mesma, deixo aqui um elogio para o character design que é fenomenal mesmo que existam alguns bem estranhos (estou olhando pra você, King of Dinosaurs)
Confesso que fiquei bem decepcionado com certas situações, como uma certa falta de comprometimento com detalhes e principalmente o modo história, com toda certeza pode ficar melhor e a prova disso já é a própria existência desse jogo que superou o fiasco do último título
LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY!
É um ótimo fighting game, digo que é um dos melhores da franquia e possui um dos melhores elencos da mesma, deixo aqui um elogio para o character design que é fenomenal mesmo que existam alguns bem estranhos (estou olhando pra você, King of Dinosaurs)
Confesso que fiquei bem decepcionado com certas situações, como uma certa falta de comprometimento com detalhes e principalmente o modo história, com toda certeza pode ficar melhor e a prova disso já é a própria existência desse jogo que superou o fiasco do último título
LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY!
The Latinos have done it again
The best modern KOF online, I recommend it with my heart bleeding from receiving the endless orochi yashiro súper grab that I know by memory. If you are new to KOF, this game is the best starting point in terms of Modern standard in fighting games.
Here's my outdated kof xv steam review in spanish:
8/10. Es un excelente KOF. Lo recomiendo
- Él online es muy bueno, muy pocas veces no encontré partida. Lo recomiendo 100% si te interesa, ya que es de los mejores KOF que he jugado online.
- Este es un KOF muy fácil, inputs son simplificados, la velocidad del juego no es tan rápida para no saber qué está pasando, Shatter strike está superbalanceado.
- DJ station debería volverse obligatorio para cada KOF en adelante.
- los Mods de GAMEBANANA de la comunidad de KOF XV son Superbuenos y Creativos.
- No hay personajes exageradamente rotos o débiles que no se pueden hacer nada.
Las negativas las tengo con el singleplayer o contenido OFFLINE:
- La historia solo hay 5 equipos que sí tuvieron algo en la historia principal de KOF XV y Los demás equipos si tenían alguna Continuación de KOF XIV era mínima. Que es una decepción porque siento que KOF XIV sí logro establecer la nueva saga muy bien. EN KOF XV no sale ni el Host del torneo.
- No hay time attack, Survival.
- Boss challenge está buena la idea, pero se siente vacío comparado con anteriores KOF (especialmente KOF XI y los Um's).
- Desbloqueando Dj station fue tedioso, pero la recompensa fue buena.
- DJ Station solo para menu, online y versus. Pero no para Story mode o Boss challenge.
- El tutorial sigue siendo corto y no te prepara para él online (a menos que solo uses auto combos) comparados con otros juegos de pelea que tienen tutoriales desde un nivel supernovato hasta un nivel intermedio o avanzado.
-No hay muchos trajes para los personajes, los hacen ver más vacíos comparados con los personajes que sí reciben trajes.
Con todo esto recomiendo este juego igual por él online y la jugabilidad.
Here's my outdated kof xv steam review in spanish:
8/10. Es un excelente KOF. Lo recomiendo
- Él online es muy bueno, muy pocas veces no encontré partida. Lo recomiendo 100% si te interesa, ya que es de los mejores KOF que he jugado online.
- Este es un KOF muy fácil, inputs son simplificados, la velocidad del juego no es tan rápida para no saber qué está pasando, Shatter strike está superbalanceado.
- DJ station debería volverse obligatorio para cada KOF en adelante.
- los Mods de GAMEBANANA de la comunidad de KOF XV son Superbuenos y Creativos.
- No hay personajes exageradamente rotos o débiles que no se pueden hacer nada.
Las negativas las tengo con el singleplayer o contenido OFFLINE:
- La historia solo hay 5 equipos que sí tuvieron algo en la historia principal de KOF XV y Los demás equipos si tenían alguna Continuación de KOF XIV era mínima. Que es una decepción porque siento que KOF XIV sí logro establecer la nueva saga muy bien. EN KOF XV no sale ni el Host del torneo.
- No hay time attack, Survival.
- Boss challenge está buena la idea, pero se siente vacío comparado con anteriores KOF (especialmente KOF XI y los Um's).
- Desbloqueando Dj station fue tedioso, pero la recompensa fue buena.
- DJ Station solo para menu, online y versus. Pero no para Story mode o Boss challenge.
- El tutorial sigue siendo corto y no te prepara para él online (a menos que solo uses auto combos) comparados con otros juegos de pelea que tienen tutoriales desde un nivel supernovato hasta un nivel intermedio o avanzado.
-No hay muchos trajes para los personajes, los hacen ver más vacíos comparados con los personajes que sí reciben trajes.
Con todo esto recomiendo este juego igual por él online y la jugabilidad.
a game for good boys and girls :)
XIV but better. Bring back Raiden!
Best fighting game of the 2020s til SNK drops KOF 16 at the end of the decade.
Yeah, this was really good. Like peak SNK. You're gonna get smoked online, that's normal. But enjoy. I can recommend it, you'll have a lot of fun with it.
É um KOF muito acessível pra novos jogadores, possui personagens muito queridos da saga e basicamente marca o recomeço da franquia. Ele é de certa forma equilibrado e o modo história é BEM simples, mas em questão de gameplay é um dos mais divertidos.
Única coisa que faltou foi inovar em algum aspecto ou fazer algum tipo de evolução, mas se comparado com o seu antecessor, ele é uma adição bem sólida.
Única coisa que faltou foi inovar em algum aspecto ou fazer algum tipo de evolução, mas se comparado com o seu antecessor, ele é uma adição bem sólida.
I can't hit confirm to save my life.
kof still stands as one of the few fighting game series that are actually made for the fanbase rather than appealing to outside audiences. make of that what you will—it of course makes the games markedly niche—but for those it appeals to, it feels second to none. probably my favourite thing about kof is its roster of characters that are each their own take on a versatile, refined shoto playstyle rather than half of the cast being primarily shallow, overpowering gimmicks (something sf is really struggling with lately).
the big 3 might include MK for some—but for people like me who are passionate about 2D fighting game design, KOF has to take its place. if only it managed to reach the popularity of others, because i really think KOF15 is a great competitive game that has maybe the least design frustrations of any modern fighting game. fun movement, offense and neutral; all with very few knowledge checks or unintuitive, overwhelming, or flowcharty mechanics.
the big 3 might include MK for some—but for people like me who are passionate about 2D fighting game design, KOF has to take its place. if only it managed to reach the popularity of others, because i really think KOF15 is a great competitive game that has maybe the least design frustrations of any modern fighting game. fun movement, offense and neutral; all with very few knowledge checks or unintuitive, overwhelming, or flowcharty mechanics.
This game is visually a massive upgrade over King of Fighters XIV. It has a distinct anime artstyle, and wonderful character designs both new and old.. but unfortunately, it still can somewhat be considered lacking in its visuals compared to its competitors. It also lacks in unique content, such as single player modes. Story mode is extremely brief and can even be a tad bit non-descript for certain teams. However, that doesn't distract from the high-impact gameplay, splendid music, and the wonderful roster of characters that is still being updated to an absolutely staggering number.
Incredible stylistically, but I will never understand this game. Or its story. Shun'ei is really cool, though.
peak of the franchise tbh
The real fg goty 2022. Its incredible, but matchmaking being broken for a year and a half and no crossplay for a while really killed a lot of my motivation to pick it up again. Add Shen Woo then it's 5 stars
I am dog at this game but hoo boy is it fun to play.