@fredyellowone @Djbiff This is Amurica'. You can disagree all you like.
Video games have to evolve. Its about acknowledging the trends that come along with that. My point was that people are getting way too bent out of shape over a preview. The reason for that is that we have no control over what gets presented to us because we're not part of that creative process. These people are holding a cherished thing for many of us in their hands and that makes us tense. They said they're taking concerns into consideration so I hope that works to their benefit. When the game gets released, I could be completely disappointed but I'm going to wait to play it before I make that judgement, like I feel we all should.
“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”
I think all of your expectations of this are completely unrealistic. You enjoyed KI and KI2 and because of that, it became part of your upbringing. They had an art style that was very new for a fighting game and that visual appeal became locked in your heads as happy memories.
You're all holding on too tight. I loved KI and KI2 when I was a child, but this is the future. This is exactly what I expected.
This is the way all fighting games are going to look from now on. The visual style that made KI stand out is just done so we move on. I think we could all wager that if Rare had the capabilities to make each of its characters fully animated with those unique designs, it would have happened. A game like that was meant for this kind of treatment as it is the logical next step. KI was flat representations of 3D models in a 3D world. SF was 2D sprites in a 2D world. SF had a successful HD remake (or HD Remix, if you would) because a game of that style lends itself to a re-vamp of that magnitude. This one did not so you can't just make an HD version of it and call it a day. It wouldn't work in the long run. That's why games like Guilty Gear, Skullgirls, and BlazBlue work as they are. I think they would be hurt by a full-3D treatment.
One goal of every developer is to show off their 3D animation capabilities and with that comes art direction. Remember what happened with Mortal Kombat went to 3D? All of their characters started looking beefier right? Just larger and more imposing. Same with Street Fighter and apparently now with this new Killer Instinct. Jago does look like a damn ninja hulk and its okay. He got bigger from KI to KI2 so I really think its just to be expected as a trend. Sabrewulf looks hairy and toothy just like before, but at least we get to see one of my favorite characters fully animated. I'm sure there will be some sort of way to customize colors just like with all other games if that's what you're concerned about.
I see many people complaining about blood too. Personally, I don't think it should be a deal-breaker mainly because I didn't really pay much attention to it on the old KI's. It seemed like more of an afterthought to me. The way I saw it back then was "ehh, leave the blood to Mortal Kombat." KI was all about the flashing lights and explosions. The bursts of fire and rage that would occur with each hit and you knew as they got bigger, that moment of truth - the ultra combo - was approaching. Obviously, I'm speaking more of KI2, but you get the point. I'm really digging the particle effects and impacts I'm seeing here. SF4 had some pretty cool hit effects when an impact would happen...however SFxTekken took it a step further with those new sound effects, sparks, and each little bit of health grinding away from your life bar. See, that's what I like. Think of it like a Hollywood summer blockbuster. The loudest movie is going to draw the most attention. If you want crazy visual violence and explosions, you'll go watch Transformers or something. All these developers are doing is trying to create a memorable experience for each one of us.
Now the voice acting...does seem a little rough to me. I don't care if they take "-COMBO" out of every statement, personally but I think it would be fun for them to change the voice up. They could find a way to keep it dark and scary but give it a different sound. I remember the first time I heard the announcer speak on MK2. After so many years of just that old-sounding "round one...fight..." then all of a sudden, I hear "round ONE...FFFIGHT!" That, alone, got my adrenaline going. I guess we'll have to see what happens with that one.
I will agree the game-play does seem a little stunted in the mere fact that every hit seems to give you that one moment of pause before the next one. Obviously,y its a gimmick used to heighten the feel of the impact for each hit. For me, that does seem a little Capcom-ish. KI and KI2 had a fluidity to them that just worked. KI2 applied a little delay with the combo enders that definitely made the impacts feel stronger and it was in small doses and I totally enjoyed that. I'm seeing it used a wee too much here.
I just wish we could be a little more objective and realistic here. Obviously, these guys show a desire to cater to even the most demanding of fanboys, but in the end, you can't satisfy everyone. This is art and that's just they way it going to be. People are saying "well hey, they need to keep the nostalgia of the originals..." I mean, we're getting to see one of our favorite games make a comeback. That alone should quench our nostalgic thirst, right there. I think we should be excited and wait to see what these guys come up with.
However, I DO hope they bring back Orchid's amazing rack... wouldn't be KI without it.
I don't know what you're visualizing but this is exactly what I expected. The art style from KI and KI2 was simply snapshots of pre-rendered 3d models. That kind of appearance is not an option anymore for developers. Each developer has a job to showcase their animation capabilities with their 3d graphic production and therefore this is how ALL fighting games are going to look. Street Fighter 4 met all of our expectations and no one complained about its tone because SF was always known for being a vibrant and exuberant universe. I don't think this looks like that at all.
You really owe it to yourself to let them show you the completed product before you write it off. That's the problem with most of these "gamers." Their expectations are just way too unrealistic and so they throw logic and reason out the window.
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