If a fighting game doesn’t get certain things right, it can be eliminated in the first round. They need a good squad, the right system, the online multiplayer works well and is ideally the thing to do when you don’t want to play against others. KOF XV covers most people one of those bases, with a large collection of characters, recovery netcode and plenty of online options. So much so that although it may offer more to do on its own, it is still exactly what people will need and expect.
There’s a brand new King of Fighters tournament! And… that’s basically what you go into KOF XV story mode. Regardless of who you pick from the massive list of 39 boxers, there will only be a few story segments shared throughout the story. However, there is little explanation or interpretation in most cases. I would even call it ironic when SNK asks people don’t share spoilers. Well, there are some interesting details here. Specifically related to some KOF XV character or end. But for the most part, it is anti-climate.
For a series capable of so many personalities, there’s also a little less than I expected. Part of this is due to the aforementioned story issues. Most people only get their last moments. Overall, the fighters themselves are pretty cool. Their animations, appearance, and movements are all tied to who they are. I am a big fan of their idle and win animations. But I would have appreciated the more unconventional conversations between the characters before the game. Especially since otherwise, the only traits and cameos you can get are at the end unique to each team.
This is just one element of the single player quest in KOF XV. There is an Offline Version that allows for local 1v1 and 3v3 multiplayer or matches against AI opponents. You also have a Mission mode. Everything is usable. But in a way, these might be more of a way to find your niche than offering extensive solo activities. Because while they are fun and give something to do, I find them not as exciting as a match against a real opponent.
When it comes to learning to play, we must also appreciate the way KOF XV Welcome effort in players. Its tutorials provide both Basic Movements and Attack Movements to help everyone understand better. People can also play around in Training mode both offline and online. It’s really like SNK wants to encourage people to experiment and find how the game works best for them. Especially since the Rush mode easily allows someone new to the game to create combos.
I would even say that some of the new systems feel newbie-friendly as well as they can be tactical for experienced players. Shatter Strike is a prime example. This is a way to fight the opponent. Timing is very important to use it perfectly to turn the situation in your favor, as you need to use it when the enemy is attacking and you have a sufficient gauge of strength to use it. However, it also only requires someone to go through a quarter of a circle forward and press two buttons to pull down. Because it is so easy to use, it can trigger a type of muscle memory response.
I would even say Maximum Mode is implemented in a way that anyone can understand. (And then take advantage of it.) Again, as long as your power meter is full, you can hit heavy punches and light kicks for a power boost that can turn the tide. Again, you need to learn how to use them properly. (This is simple enough with all the practice options.) But once you do, they can help you. Also, not requiring someone in Max Mode to use the Special Motion EX is also very helpful.
All of this is a bonus because, well, it feels like KOF XV is a game built to be played online! What are you doing alone? It’s to help you set up Normal and Ranked matches. By the way, works pretty well. If making sure its Rollback netcode works well at launch is one of the reasons it’s been delayed, it’s well worth it. I didn’t notice any lag. When accessing, you can choose to limit the area and connection speed. Before a match, you’ll see their predicted ping “level” and latency next to their name. It also displays data such as recovery frames while you play. The information is transparent, it works well, and I’ve never had a hard time finding a match.
KOF XV is pretty awesome, especially at launch. It’s responsive, looks great, and offers a huge roster of characters. I would prefer to do it alone. Especially since I’m a huge fan of the characters and wish the Story mode had more…well, story about it. But SNK clearly had to put in a lot of work to get it right and it shows.
King of Fighters XV available for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X and PC.
