KOF 13 righted the many wrongs of KOF 12. If you like fighting games you should give this a try. KING ME PLEASE!
The number of game modes were severely lacking. You only had an arcade, time attack, and online mode. The game has no ash story arc and no overpowered boss. The game seemed to be centered more around the online mode. Especially since clans could be formed and I think six people could play together at the same time. However, the online mode suffered from input lag. And to make matters worse the problem wasn't really fixed or improved through patches until it was too little too late.
KOF 13 started off as an arcade game that could be played at arcades. Due to the messy state SNK is in people were worried about the game not making its way to console systems. But, with the help of Atlus SNK was able to make those SNK fans' dream a reality. How did KOF 13 make the wrongs of KOF 12 nothing more than a memory? Let's review.
Graphics/Animation:
The characters and the backgrounds are colorful, vivid, and beautiful. The animation was also very impressive. When you look at this game you can tell SNK put a lot of care in the detail and design. They practically redrew the sprites and redid a lot of things in order to make the game move faster. For instance, they made the sprites smaller to help smooth out the character sprites. It was said that a few pixels are present; however when something is being done by hand perfection is difficult.
Story:
Yes! This game has a story mode. This game finally brings the Ash story arc to a close. The story mode isn't like the typical fighter. Most fighters usually just have a beginning, middle, and ending cutscene. However, this game has a story mode that goes beyond that. There are choices you have to make and those decisions will determine how the story will unfold. So playing this game more than once is highly recommended. The story mode probably doesn't branch out as much as Blazblue; however there is a very good reason for that....cheap bosses. There are a lot of nice cutscenes; however there is no voice acting or a lot of movement. The text moves a little too fast as well. These problems are only minor; because the story mode feels more like a visual novel of sorts.
SNK is well known for making bosses extremely cheap. If you lose in story mode; then you will get a bad ending. So you want to stay on your toes. The story mode is relatively short, so catching up will not be difficult.
Additions That Filled the Void:
Like I said before KOF 12 lacked a lot of things. This game pretty much addressed the serious issues that costed KOF 12 its crown.
+Story Mode
+More Characters
+More Stages
+Solid Practice Mode
+Custom Character Color Edits
+Mission/Trial Mode
+Gallery Mode
+Functional Online Play
+Replay Mode
+Can Select Between KOF 13 or Arranged Soundtracks
Just so you know the option to choose between the official KOF 13 soundtracks and selected arranged soundtracks from previous titles is a really nice touch. The music score is remarkable.
The Mission mode is a great mode; because it will help you get used to the timing of this game. The timing is a bit more strict than Street Fighter; however after a couple sessions in this mode it will not be as difficult. Especially, since a lot of the movements for specials are similar to other 2D fighters.
The online mode plays wonderfully; however it does take some time to find people who have a decent connection. And when you do playing it is down right glorious. I like how you have the option to practice until someone joins your match. The replay mode isn't as good as a few other fighters, and the online mode lacks a lobby that goes beyond 2 players. Spectator mode really isn't a problem; because the game lacks a lobby that supports more than 2 players. So, saying that the game lacks a spectator mode is pretty much a pointless statement.
Gameplay:
The gameplay is completely different from KOF 12. The game is similar to many fighters in terms of the basics, but there is plenty of elements that make this game unique. Most of the KOF games play by 3 vs. 3 team elimination rules. Each chosen fighter will stay in until they are KO'ed; then the fighter will be replaced by another. The match continues until one team is left standing.
KOF 13 uses EX moves that are somewhat similar to Street Fighter; however the EX moves in KOF are a bit more special. Many of the EX moves in KOF 13 does more than just change the properties of a move. Some moves actually becomes a completely different move. For example, Kyo has a rushdown combo attack that allows kyo to charge at the enemy in order to activate it. But when that same special is in EX mode it becomes a unblockable grab that has to be done up close like a typical grab.
KOF uses powerful moves called Desperation Moves. These moves require an entire bar of energy to use. Some Desperation Moves can be powered up to an even higher level by using 2 bars.
KOF also have some very nifty techniques that makes this game more unique than the current fighters out right now. Instead of jumping over projectiles and blocking supers you can dodge them without getting harmed with the proper timing using the roll technique. You can also use regular counters and roll counters in exchange for one bar of your super meter. Rolling is useful; but careless rolls can set up for grabs.
Jumping is very different in this game. There is a short jump; which can be used to start up combos. You can do standard jumps to get around and jump over projectiles. And there is a super jump which allows you to jump higher and a lot faster.
Each character has one move known as a Neo Max; which is their most devastating move. These moves take up three bars; however when you are in HD mode it will only require 2 bars to use it. But after you use a Neo Max it will totally drain your HD meter. The HD meter will be explained next.
To do more advanced combos you have to learn how to do something known as drive cancels. A drive cancel is when you use one special move and then quickly follow up with another special move. This technique can be done when you fill a meter called the HD meter. A single drive cancel takes up half of your meter. However, you can use more than two drive cancels when you completely fill your HD gauge and activate HD mode. This mode gives you the ability to temporary do as many drive cancels as you can to deal serious damage.
You can also cancel Desperation Moves into Neo Max moves while in HD mode; however the timing is a bit strict.
Final Thoughts:
Pros:
+Amazing 2D graphics
+Plenty of gameplay depth
+Customizing character colors is fun
+Great music score
+The Ash story arc is present
+Mission mode helps you improve your overall game
+The online mode doesn't suffer from
bad input lag and slowdown
+SNK Signature Cheap Bosses
Cons:
-Lobby supports only 2 players
-Replay mode lacks sharing abilities
-No voice acting
-Text moves a bit too fast
-Takes time to find a decent connection with others online
KOF 13 proves once again that 2D fighters can still hang as long as it is in the hands of the right developers. KOF 13 is a game that has more than just good looks. It is pretty much a complete game. It offers enough offline content to keep you busy and help you hone your skills, there is a fair amount of fan service available, and the functionality of the online mode is good when you compare it to KOF 12.
Even though the online mode plays well it would have been nice if the lobby and the replay feature was expanded a bit more.
Overall, Atlus and SNK worked together to help bring back an extraordinary fighter that has been the underdog for a couple of decades. I hope this game does well enough to help SNK, so we can.....maybe.........see more projects from them. I know the future of SNK isn't really good; but positive feedback from the community can help them improve.
Thank you Atlus for working with SNK. And thank you SNK for putting your heart into this game. I feel you guys did the absolute best you could to provide SNK and fighter fans a great fighter experience.
This game deserves a 9 out of 10.