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The King of Fighters XIV marks SNK’s ambitious return to the mainstream fighting game arena. After a decade-long hiatus, the developers behind classics like The King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Last Blade, Fatal Fury, and Art of Fighting are back, looking to challenge Capcom’s Street Fighter V for the fighting game crown. This latest installment carries significant weight, representing SNK’s transition back from the pachinko industry to its roots in video game development. Does The King of Fighters XIV pave the way for a triumphant comeback, or does it mark the beginning of the end for this iconic developer? Let’s dive in and find out.

A Robust Roster and Deep Team-Based Combat

The King of Fighters XIV

The King of Fighters XIV retains the series’ core 3-on-3 team-based fighting mechanics. Players choose three characters who battle sequentially against the opposing team. Familiar elements like the power gauge for super moves, Guard Crush, short hops, hyper hops, super jumps, and Max Mode are all present.

The game boasts a massive roster of 50 characters, offering a vast array of team compositions and strategic possibilities. Each character possesses unique attributes, move sets, and playstyles.

The King of Fighters XIV

The strategic depth of KOF XIV extends beyond simple character matchups. Team composition and character order are crucial. Players must consider factors like energy generation (Battery characters), control-oriented playstyles (Control characters), and powerful anchors (Anchor characters).

The first position often favors characters who can quickly build meter or apply pressure. The middle position is more versatile, allowing for a wider range of characters depending on the team’s needs. The anchor position typically features powerful characters capable of turning the tide of battle, often relying on the meter built by the preceding characters.

This team dynamic, coupled with the large roster, ensures every match feels fresh and engaging.

The King of Fighters XIV

Smooth Performance and Engaging Audio

Despite the complex character interactions and numerous visual effects, The King of Fighters XIV maintains a consistent 60 frames per second. Character animations are fluid and responsive, even though the game utilizes a relatively simple 3D engine that might appear dated compared to contemporaries like Street Fighter V, BlazBlue, and Guilty Gear Xrd.

The soundtrack and sound effects contribute significantly to the satisfying impact of landing powerful blows. The online experience has also been refined post-launch, featuring improved netcode and faster matchmaking.

The King of Fighters XIV

The game caters to players of all skill levels, with simplified input commands for complex combos compared to previous entries. The focus remains on strategic decision-making, character knowledge, and adapting to opponent’s playstyles.

Visual Shortcomings and Minor Glitches

The King of Fighters XIV

The King of Fighters XIV‘s visuals fall short of modern standards. Character models, particularly facial expressions, appear stiff and angular. While animations are smooth, the overall visual presentation can be underwhelming.

The King of Fighters XIV

Beyond the graphical limitations, the game suffers from minor glitches related to character positioning and hit detection. While SNK has acknowledged these issues and released patches, the sheer number of characters makes it challenging to address every bug without introducing new ones.

Conclusion

The King of Fighters XIV delivers a solid core fighting game experience with a massive roster, deep team-based mechanics, and smooth performance. However, the dated visuals and occasional glitches hold it back from reaching its full potential. While it may not dethrone Street Fighter V, KOF XIV offers a unique and engaging experience for fighting game enthusiasts, marking a promising, albeit imperfect, return for SNK.