Gameplay Impressions
Gameplay impressionsThe highly-detailed graphics and unique and endearing artwork style of King of Fighters XII doesn't hide the fact that it feels like it should be a downloadable offering rather than a fully-priced game. The content is woefully thin in single player mode, with only the time-attack mode that's worthy of a look. The fact that there’s no storyline or character building gives little meaning to the battles if you don't already know the characters.
However, if it's just pick-up-and-play,fast-paced, beat 'em action up you're craving then KoF XII ticks the box. When you're in the arena there's little to complain about and though it's not technically in the same league as the Street Fighter series, there's fun to be had out of mastering character's moves and striking your opponent with a flurry of well-timed combos. The fluid animations, stunningly-detailed backdrops and range of entertaining moves are enjoyable and fairly easy to execute as you pull-off aerial assaults, toss projectiles or unleash a barrage of combos. It’s a simple and accessible control system that gamers shouldn’t find hard to pick up, but mastering it is more complicated. Like any good fighting game, it's about learning individual characters' strengths and weaknesses and perfecting your timing. The critical counter system works well in battle allowing you charge an energy bar that then allows you to unleash a flurry of attacks.
So, there are some enjoyable bouts to be had and the controls are so simple that you don't really have to think too much as you mash your way through the painfully short arcade mode. The 22-strong character roster should keep fans who are new to the series happy, but there are some notable absences that fans of the series will notice, as well as a watering-down of some of the special moves that characters possessed in previous KoF games (new characters and modes may be may be available as DLC at a later date.) It would have also been nice to have the occasionally boss battle thrown-in to give the arcade mode a bit more depth, challenge and excitement. As it stands, it feels a little incomplete.
So, once you’ve battled your way through arcade mode, the online component offers a mildly entertaining, but largely frustrating experience. Lag issues are far too frequent (though a patch may sort this out) . There are some decent features though such as being able to record a fight and then watch it back or team up co-operatively with other team members and it has the potential of being a lot of fun if it hadn't have been for the poor performance and some annoying design issues, such as having to sit through the rest of a tournament even if you've been knocked out.
King of Fighters XII is a fairly average beat 'em up. The artwork is stunning and the fights are impressively fluid and tactical, but the lack of content and laggy online component is very dissapointing. If you've got a bunch of mates around you'll have a good time kicking the living daylights out of each and if a patch comes out and maybe even some DLC then it may be worth more than a rental. As it stands though, we'd hold on to our money for the time being.
Final Score - 6/10
