Joystick: Fighting games galore
Published 10:19 am Friday, November 25, 2011
“King of Fighters XIII”
3.5/5
Rated T: 360, PS3
—Same old-school game in a shiny package.
—Slight tweaks balance the game compared to previous “KOF”s.
—Hardcore gameplay may have players choosing “WWE ‘12” or “Tekken Hybrid” instead.
If you like to fight, then this week is for you.
Some interesting fighting games came out Tuesday, including “King of Fighters XIII,” “WWE ‘12,” and “Tekken Hybrid.”
Fighting games are interesting beasts, as a new fighting game in a series usually has minor tweaks to its mechanics compared to the last iteration.
Of the three big fighting games, “KOF13” is arguably the game for fighting purists. With old-school gameplay and new-school graphics, “KOF 13” is a vicious fighting game onslaught with little mercy once you win a few rounds.
The “KOF” games are notoriously difficult, a reputation game developer SNK has earned for many of its games over the years. Though not “KOF 12” or “Marvel vs. SNK 2” tough, the latest KOF is difficult but fun, with a grueling final boss that will make you work to beat him.
New players may have difficulty getting into “KOF13,” however. It takes some time to get used to the controls, and some of the special moves require fast timing and many directional button presses. Those who put in the practice time will find a balanced fighter with fewer game-breaking mechanics compared to previous entries.
A story, arcade and online mode will keep fighting game enthusiasts pleased, though loading times are a bit of an issue and the storyline tends to drag.
Though the game will please many fighting game fans, “KOF 13” probably won’t be as big of a seller compared to “Tekken Hybrid” or the latest “WWE” game. It doesn’t have the same brand recognition, though the “KOF” name is well-respected within the fighting game community. The somewhat difficult controls will turn off gamers who are attracted to the simpler controls, 3D fighting and chair shots in “WWE ‘12.” That’s not mentioning the fun add-ons inside “Tekken Hybrid,” which has the first “Tekken Tag Tournament” game, a Tekken movie, an art book and the “Tekken Tag Tournament 2” prologue.
There’s a fighting game for everyone this week. Be sure to pick one up before the holidays. “KOF 13” is a great choice for harcore gamers, but you can’t miss with “Tekken Hybrid” or “WWE ‘12” either.