The King of Fighters XIV Reviews
Whatever the reason The King of Fighters XIV feels like it lacks some of the magic of the earlier games. It's a game that really wants to be the "king of fighters" itself, but has forgotten that means having some fun along the way.
If you aren't a diehard fighting game/KoF fan, rent it or wait for a price drop. Fighting game/KoF fans? Go crazy. You'll enjoy it.
King of Fighters '94 may be the title that started the entire series but it pales in comparison to its sequels - such as the superb King of Fighters '98, also available on the Switch eShop. With that in mind, there's little point in buying this if you already own that particular title, unless you're keen to see how far the franchise advanced in the four years that separate them. King of Fighters '94 is fun to play and presents a stern challenge, but it's a long way from being the best the lineage has to offer. Unless you're really keen on this entry, you're better off buying King of Fighters '98.
In Summary, if you are looking for a fighting game on PS4 this year, pick it up as it's good fun even though complicated in places. The graphics are a generation behind, however, this doesn't really effect the gameplay at all. If you are looking for a story mode, I would avoid King of Fighters XIV as it's too shallow to be worth £50 unless you have played the previous games.
So, in 2021, is it worth picking up KOF XIV? In all honesty, no. With an appallingly-bad story mode, and notable absence of online opponents, there is really not much content to justify a purchase. Yes, the gameplay is fantastic, and these other flaws are not indicative of that, but simply put, you’ll be getting a very empty game. Waiting on KOF XV would likely be your best bet, but if you do opt of the 14th instalment, you will still get a fighting game with sharp, fast-paced and rich gameplay. Nevertheless, although I do have to hand it to SNK for their successful attempt at entering the 3D fighting game market, considering the other options available, I find it difficult to recommend KOV XIV over them. Who knows, maybe KOF XV will continue to build on the foundations laid here, but that awaits to be seen.
The King of Fighters XIV is a solid comeback for the series, and the generally subpar 3D visuals are quickly gotten used to after a few minutes with the game. The proof is in the pudding; the same classic 2D fighting gameplay KOF has been renowned for is meaty, with plenty of depth for series vets to work with, an easier time for newcomers looking to get into it, enough modes for both solo and online players, a supersized character roster, and plenty to unlock in terms of artwork, music and more. Improvements could have been made in other areas, such as the weak story and presentation (menus and models), but more importantly, KOF XIV should have some great competitive legs, and deservedly so.
King of Fighters remains what it has always been with its latest entry: a niche fighter with a great cast, an unforgiving learning curve, and a lot of heart anchored by an incredible fighting engine. It’s not for everyone; no game is. But if you’re willing to dedicate yourself to it, and learn it, it’s a tournament worth entering and a fight worth fighting, all these years later.
A solid and welcome return
The first game in this series since 2010 offers a no-frills story mode that echoes the arcade experience.
At its worst, The King of Fighters XIV feels like a game of missed opportunities loaded to the brim with potential and at its best, an incredibly well-built fighter that is sure to please longtime fans of the series and veteran fighting game players alike. Even though the game feels bogged down by a poorly constructed story, weak character models, and a slightly off putting over-pandering to new players, there is still so much about KOF XIV that feels genuine and unique.
It's perhaps disingenuous to claim that King of Fighters XIV marks a glorious return to form akin to that of Street Fighter IV, because the more recent 2D instalments in SNK's franchise have been excellent examples of technical fighting brilliance. What the fourteenth entry in this esteemed franchise does is lay down the foundations for future sequels which will – thanks to the relentless march of technology – use 3D models instead of handdrawn sprites. While King of Fighters XIV looks positively shabby when placed alongside Street Fighter V, it arguably offers more depth and variety. The three-person mechanic encourages players to master more than one fighter, and the cast – while perhaps not as instantly-recognisable as the likes of Ryu, Chun-Li, and Blanka – has something for every type of player.Ironically, the biggest sticking point with King of Fighters XIV is the one aspect designed to make it more appealing to outsiders; the new "Rush" mode allows even complete newbies to look like combo-crunching experts, but it's likely to divide opinion with serious players who prefer to rely on their own skill and knowledge when it comes to unlocking the game's most potent moves. Even so, this single concession to a mainstream audience is easy to forgive when taken as part of a package which rewards methodical, technical play in a way that no other fighting game does.
As a new entry in the series that pushes it into uncharted territory, King of Fighters XIV is an admirable effort. Boasting a huge roster, accessible action and smooth gameplay, there’s a lot to like, but the mediocre transition to 3D and inconsistent netcode hold it back from greatness.
Even though The King of Fighters XIV has less than stellar graphics and an empty promise of being more accessible, it's still chock full of fantastic fighting that fans will love every second of.
Lots of characters and online modes to tinker with, but the single-player portion feels limited
King of Fighter XIV is a new beginning for the fourth arc of the series story and its success has made SNK into remastering other games like Samurai Shodown. If you're into fighting games and you're looking for a real challenge, King of Fighter is the proper choice instead of Tekken and Mortal Kombat series.
Review in Persian | Read full review
All the depth of 2D King of Fighters, none of the beauty.
The famous fighting saga comes back with a renewed aspect and brings back the gameplay mechanics that made these games great. The King of Fighters XIV is a very entertaining game for the fans of the genre, even though the graphics could run better on the PlayStation 4.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Starting with The King of Fighters XIII, I have been excited for the next in the series and boy did The King of Fighters XIV deliver. The series has always been looked at with a touch of fear and apprehension from outside players, but those who give the game a moment of their time will find that it’s both an accessible and deep fighter, offering to the new and old alike.
The first 3D outing of the venerable King of Fighters series gets a second chance with King of Fighters 14 Ultimate Edition.
King of Fighters 14 is rough around the edges and is certainly not a perfect game, but what it lacks in graphics and compelling story it more than makes up for in gameplay. Delivering some of the best fighting in the series to date with fresh takes on old mechanics, any fighting game fan would be missing out if they judged King of Fighters 14 by its graphical punch.