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The King of Fighters XIV is the latest in a series that has been about for ages. I really mean ages as well. The first King of Fighters came out in 1994 and was released on the Neo Geo – one of the few systems that I don’t own and have always wanted to. This series of games are talked about as being the pinnacle of said system, but I should be honest, here, and say that I hadn’t played a KoF title before this one.
Carefully counting, it seems that this King of Fighters – even though being named XIV (14) – is the 20th release. The series has calibre and class, it has a large cult following (mainly in Japan) and a highly esteemed publisher and developer. The game was developed by SNK – without looking them up I can remember seeing their name attached to so many beat-em-ups that I have played. Interestingly, after searching online, I realised that I must have been mistaken as they weren’t linked to most of the games I thought they were. However, they have developed all of the Metal Slug series and a few others worth noting. Like most games, the publishers on our side of the world are different to those the in Japan and America.
At this point, I would like to say that this review is going to be different to most reviews that I have written. This is due to the nature of the game and what I think the public would like to know. Then I will score it as normal.
The first thing that is worth mentioning is that this game uses 3D rendering for the characters. This is the first King of Fighters to do so and may put off some die-hard fans but, for me, it just brought the game a little more up to date. The game offers a variety of different modes: a story mode, online mode, versus mode, mission (which consists of trial, time attack and survival) mode, training and tutorial, plus a gallery where you can look through your cool rewards and options etc.
It also offers you one of the largest array of characters I have come across in a long time – 50 different ones, each different in their own ways.
Now, before I get into talking about the good and the bad parts I must note that, just because somebody doesn’t like a game or doesn’t particularly get on with a game, that doesn’t make it a bad game. It’s often the case with beat-em-ups that they are either liked or disliked but I will try and be objective.
Go to page 2 for more thoughts on this game…
I have been a video game player since 1993 and a music fan since I can remember. I studied Film and Journalism at university and ended up becoming a Primary School teacher. Video games changed my life and sent me on the right track and have stayed with me ever since.