(LAST UPDATE: 7/4/2009)
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Developer(s): SNK Playmore
Publisher(s): SNK Playmore, Ignition Entertainment
Platform(s): Playstation
2
Release Date(s): April
2006 (
) September 2006
(
)
Characters:
Alba,
Lien,
Soiree,
Chae
Lim, Mignon,
Kyo,
Iori,
Terry,
Ryo,
Ralf,
Clark,
Yuri,
Athena,
K', Kula,
Kim,
Mai,
Maxima,
Rock,
Leona,
Seth,
Billy
Kane, Nagase, Luise
Mayrink, B. Jenet, Duke,
Wild
Wolf, Nightmare Geese, Ninon,
Richard
Meyer, Hyena, Lily
Kane, Mr. Karate, Armor
Ralf, Jivatma,
Hattori
Hanzo, Fio, Classic
Kyo
Related Games:
King
of Fighters 94, King of Fighters 94: Re-bout,
King
of Fighters 95,
King of Fighters 96, King
of Fighters 97, King of Fighters 98, King
of Fighters 98 Ultimate Match, King of Fighters
99, King of Fighters 2000, King
of Fighters 2001,
King of Fighters 2001,
King
of Fighters 2002, King of Fighters 2003,
King
of Fighters XI, King of Fighters XII, King
of Fighters: Maximum Impact, King
of Fighters: Maximum Impact MANIAX, KOF:
Maximum Impact Regulation A, King of Fighters
EX Neo Blood,
King of Fighters EX2 Howling Blood,
King
of Fighters R1, King of Fighters R2, King
of Fighters Collection: Orochi Saga
Story: Many contended that the illegal fighting tournament in Southtown was sponsored by the gangland syndicate "Mephistopheles" to achieve the annihilation of their rivals and procure some operating capital. After its "King," Duke, suffered defeat at the hands of Alba Meira in the finals, he and his organization vanished from Southtown. Meanwhile, the media, firmly under Duke's control, released a fusillade of sensational exposes based on information from confidential sources regarding their former oppressors. In spite of this new torrent of "information," almost no one knew that an even larger entity had been pulling Mephistopheles' puppet strings.
The truth behind the Addes
organization name was only known throughout the dark recesses of the underworld.
No one really had an inkling as to what this organization truly entailed. Now,
another of Addes was to reveal a new battle royale. Invitations in white
envelopes were sent to the world's mightiest, who will find the call to the
battle by Addes irresistible. As stated in
Alba Meira's private novel by Akihiko Ureshino on the official KOF Maximum
Impact 2 site (which serves as an official follow up to the story of KOF
Maximum Impact 2) Alba was in fact the one who defeated Jivatma and Luise.
Soiree was kidnapped as a result of that and Alba has not seen him since then.
Review: Also known
as King of Fighters: Maximum Impact
2 (in Japan), KOF 2006 features 24 initially playable characters, as
well as 14 secret characters (including the final boss), for a total of 40
playable characters. With improved animation, graphics,
gameplay mechanics, and presentation... SNK, known primarily for their
2D titles, delivers their best 3D fighter to date (not saying a whole lot,
but hey, at least they're making progress)!
KOF 2006 features
a great line-up of SNK characters, each with a robust (and sometimes,
humorously confusing) move-set. Characters have most of their moves from recent
KOF installments that you'd want them to have, as well as some new ones. Many of the brand
new moves (and super moves) are badass to say the least, and are presented
quite nicely by the games smooth animation, which can be fully appreciated during a
KO as the camera slows down during the last strike of the match. The camera also does an
epic 360 around the final attack if you finish with
a "Super Special Move." The moves are done with justice, and look as painful as
they should... The translation of animation from 2D to 3D was
done much better this time around.
Like in the first game, the pace
is
fast
and takes some getting used to. If you've ever put any time into a 2D version of
KOF, you'll most likely feel right at home playing KOF2006 due to the speed of
the game. The core gameplay is
all about cancels... You can cancel normal moves into special moves, special
moves into other special moves, and then into super moves... Rather easy to do,
and rather fun as well! With the addition of a decent "counter system" and a tweaked
wall game, the gameplay should not only please veteran KOF fans, but perhaps
attract some new fans to the series as well. The thing
that killed the PS2 version of the first Maximum Impact was definitely the horrible
English voices... and yes, they are back by default. But rejoice KOF fans,
you can now turn the dialogue to Japanese, and yes, it sounds much MUCH better. The
characters sound like they should, as they scream their special moves with
emotion and enthusiasm!
KOF2006 also features buckets full of unlockables... Notably, TONS of costumes, possibly the most unlockable costumes in any fighting game to date. On the downside, some costumes are quite ugly, absurd, completely unnecessary, borderline disturbing, and in many cases have color schemes that don't even match. Others though are pretty decent, and the "cosplay" alternate outfits based on other SNK characters are also quite entertaining. You can also unlock some cool new stages, mini games, and missions! It'll keep you busy, and you should enjoy the trip, because KOF2006 is a pretty fun game.
Dueling of
the classic SNK fighters against each other in 3D, with a solid gameplay
system (for the first time), is satisfying... But the character roster
is a mixed bag. In my opinion, the veteran KOF'ers like Kyo Kusanagi,
Terry Bogard, Rock Howard, or Billy Kane are all incredibly fun to use
(for those of us who know their moves by heart). However, some of the newcomers
just can't live up to the veterans. Although the newbies aren't all that bad, I would rather have had
the chance to use some of my old favroties; like Vanessa, Yamazaki, Joe, or Gato for example.
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7.5 / 10 |
Closing Comment: A question I always ask myself when rating a KOF game is... "Did they get Iori's laugh right?" Well, they actually did in KOF2006. They did a good job at capturing the personalities (and voices) of all returning KOF characters, which is no doubt a must if you're remaking a classic 2D series into 3D game... They messed it up big time in the first game, but have redeemed themselves in this version.
Gameplay
flaws? Despite a few over-powered characters, there's not much wrong with the
gameplay... It's a simple system and it's fun, and that's
all that counts sometimes. There is some "slowdown" during gameplay, but
it honestly looks quite cool sometimes. 
A personal favorite slowdown moment of mine comes during a 20-hit Iori combo,
causing lots of slow-mo in the right places, making the combo hurt that much
more. 
Good
stuff. ~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
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