The
King of Fighters XV
PREVIEW: After originally announcing the game was in development in August
2019, SNK officially revealed The King of Fighters 15 in January
of 2021. Game Director Yasuyuki Oda and Creative Director / Character Artist Eisuke Ogura describe KOF
15 as "the most ambitious KOF title to date". KOF 15
shows off an updated 3D graphics engine from KOF XIV (the second game by SNK to use Unreal Engine 4), building and expanding upon the prequel's 2.5D visual style and animation. KOF
15 will continue the storyline from KOF 14, with Shun'ei as the game's main protagonist.
New characters
Isla, Dolores,
and Krohnen
will also make their debuts.
|
39
characters at launch...
+12
via post-launch DLC.
|
The King of Fighters XV gameplay engine features the following mechanics:
Shatter Strike, MAX Mode, MAX Mode (Quick), and Rush Combos. Shatter Strike is a counter / defensive mechanic that all characters have access to and can turn the tide of battle as it can lead to powerful combos. Rush Combos are simple chain-combos that players can access by repeatedly hitting one button.
Like in past games, MAX Mode unlocks your character's offensive potential. MAX Mode Quick cancels attacks and extends
combos
|
Ash Crimson
finally returns to the main storyline.
|
The KOF series has a long history of entertaining character cameos from other SNK games appearing in backgrounds. A number of character cameos will return in KOF XV, as two wrestlers from the 1993 NEOGEO wrestling game, 3 Count Bout, appear in the KOF XV arena background (Terry Rogers and M. Barnes). In addition to brand new
environments, classic locations such as Sound Beach from Fatal Fury 1 will also be returning in KOF XV.
|
TEAM
GAROU IS READY TO BRING THE HEAT!
|
KOF XV game modes include: Versus, Story, Training, Tutorial, Online (Ranked, Casual, Online Training, Replay), Mission, DJ Station, and Gallery. The game will also feature a
variety of Versus Mode options including Single Vs, Party Vs, and Draft Vs. The
extensive DJ Station mode will feature over 300 music tracks from SNK history which players can listen to at any time while
playing! Additionally, iconic anime director / animator Masami Obari will be returning to the SNK universe to direct a King of Fighters XV
anime short, coinciding with the release of the new KOF installment.
The animated (short) movie will be included in its entirety inside KOF XV's Gallery mode.
|
REMEMBER
K9999? Meet Krohnen.
|
In June 2021, producer Yasuyuki Oda made the announcement that The King of Fighters XV release window has been
postponed to the first quarter of 2022. The official statement from SNK confirms the continued rising cases of COVID-19 in Japan has affected the original development schedule for KOF XV and is the main cause
for the delay. KOF XV was originally announced back at EVO 2019 with the logo reveal, but it wasn't until early this year that the first gameplay
footage was shown. SNK reaffirmed that the decision for the delay is to ensure the "quality" of KOF XV.
The King of Fighters XV
will start off with a base roster of 39 (or possibly 40)
characters at launch. Post-launch DLC Teams will begin releasing a few weeks
after launch, beginning with Team Garou (Rock, B. Jenet and Gato). The second
DLC will be Team Southtown (Geese Howard, Billy Kane and Yamazaki) who will join
the game in May 2022. Two additional teams will join the game in Summer and Fall
of 2022 - confirming 12 post-launch DLC characters so far! Stay tuned for more
details along with TFG's full review later in 2022.
|
BLUE
MARY LOOKIN' LOVELY IN THE UNREAL ENGINE!
|
|
Page Updated: |
May
24th, 2022
|
Developer(s): |
SNK
Playmore |
Designer(s): |
Yasuyuki
Oda
Chief Producer
Kaito Soranaka
Game Director
Eisuke
Ogura
Creative Director |
Artwork
By: |
Tomohiro Nakata Main Illustrator
Eisuke Ogura
Concept Art
|
Platform(s): |
PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Windows 10, Steam |
Release Date(s): |
February 17th, 2022
|
Characters: |
Kyo Kusanagi,
Iori Yagami, Leona
Heidern, K',
Benimaru Nikaido, Joe Higashi, Mai
Shiranui, Meitenkun, Shun'ei,
Chizuru Kagura,
Andy Bogard,
Yuri Sakazaki,
Terry Bogard,
Yashiro Nanakase,
King,
Shermie,
Chris,
Ryo Sakazaki,
Robert Garcia,
Blue Mary,
Luong,
Vanessa,
Ramon,
King of Dinosaurs,
Athena Asamiya,
Antonov,
Ash Crimson,
Heidern,
Kukri,
Isla,
Dolores,
Whip, Angel,
Krohnen,
Maxima, Kula
Diamond, Elisabeth, Rock
Howard (DLC), B. Jenet
(DLC), Gato
(DLC),
Geese Howard (DLC), Billy
Kane (DLC), Yamazaki
(DLC),
Omega Rugal (DLC)
|
Related
Links: |
(Feb.
2022): How to Unlock All KOF15 Secret Endings!
|
|
Featured Video:
|
|
Related Games: |
The
King of Fighters XIV, Samurai
Shodown (2019), KOF
XIII, KOF XII,
KOF XI, KOF '94, KOF '94: Re-bout,
KOF '95,
KOF '96, KOF '97, KOF
'98, KOF '98 Ultimate Match, KOF '99, KOF 2000, KOF 2001, KOF 2002, KOF 2002
Unlimited Match, KOF 2003, KOF:
Maximum Impact, KOF:
Maximum Impact MANIAX, KOF:
Maximum Impact 2, KOF: Maximum Impact
Regulation A, KOF: Neowave, KOF EX Neo Blood,
KOF EX2 Howling Blood,
KOF
R1, KOF R2, KOF Collection: Orochi Saga,
Fatal Fury, Garou: Mark of the
Wolves, Tekken
7, SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, Guilty Gear -STRIVE-,
Street Fighter V: Champion Edition,
DNF Duel |
|
Gameplay
Engine
|
|
Story
/ Theme
|
|
Overall
Graphics
|
|
Animation
|
|
Music
/ Sound Effects
|
|
Innovation
|
|
Art Direction
|
|
Customization
|
|
Options / Extras
|
|
Intro / Presentation
|
|
Replayability / Fun
|
|
"Ouch" Factor
|
|
Characters
|
|
BOTTOM LINE
|
|
|
|
First Impression: |
for
starters, KOF XV
looks more impressive than KOF XIV did
when it was first revealed.
It's easy to recognize that SNK has improved and refined their 3D graphics engine over the past
several years throughout the
development (and DLC support) of KOF XIV and Samurai Shodown (2019). With
bolder, more vibrant visuals and beefier character models than the prequel, KOF XV
is possibly SNK's most ambitious and most impressive "2.5D" fighter to date.
I miss the classic 2D sprites as much as any old school fighting game fan... but
once again, SNK utilizing 3D graphics allows them to easily retool
certain aspects from KOF 14 and focus on adding more content and characters. Estimation? We might be looking at a huge roster down the road
with
continued DLC support in 2022-2023. As an SNK fan since the early 90s, I'm happy to see the
FGC still excited about KOF... and I hope KOF15 turns out to be something special.
KOF15 has a real opportunity to shine in 2022. If I'm being honest,
prior to the post-launch DLC announcement of Team Garou and Team
Southdown, I wasn't particularly "ecstatic" about the base roster. However,
SNK dropping in new (and returning) fan-favorite characters as "Team
DLC"... while a bit controversial, of course... is a pretty good
idea on paper. And so far, they made great choices on DLC characters. My
expectations have (finally) been shattered.
SNK's smart but "safe" approach in KOF15 seems to contrast
some of the "over-designed" newcomers like Isla, Dolores, and
Krohnen. While certain aspects of the newcomers are pretty cool, I'm not entirely
sold on the new designs so
far (in terms of their movesets, special move visuals, etc). I think they
could've made better choices for the initial roster, but overall, KOF15
has plenty of familiar characters to check out. Aside from the disappointingly
broken matchmaking, KOF15 seems off to a good start.
I'm rooting for SNK as usual... but I hope they don't plan on "reselling"
too many DLC characters from the prequel. Rock Howard day one DLC
incoming? (Yep, I called it. My expectations weren't so shattered on that
one.)
In fairness, releasing DLC characters as "Teams" is a pretty
attractive format that makes sense, and I think it will work out nicely for KOF15
in the long run. Paired with "new" characters, I for one can accept SNK
re-releasing certain former KOF14 characters as DLC... if those
returning characters have solid evolutions to their prior KOF14 incarnations.
I literally had my fingers crossed for some Garou: Mark of the
Wolves representatives in KOF15... and SNK delivered there. (Here's
hoping for a MOTW stage or two, as well.) On one final
note, I would definitely like to see more "obscure" SNK characters from the company's
rich history represented in KOF 15. Otherwise, the game feels a bit too
safe and familiar even for my old school tastes. Please stay tuned for my full
review of KOF15 later in 2022.
~TFG
Webmaster |
@Fighters_Gen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|