The King of Fighters XI
  


  

STORY:  Mukai, a member of a mysterious group known as "Those from the Distant Land", stole the Orochi seal in the last tournament and broke it, causing confusion and destruction to happen from within sight. Taking advantage of the situation at hand, Ash Crimson attacked Chizuru Kagura in her weakened state and stole the Yata Mirror from her while draining her powers from within the process.

 

KOF XI character selection screen.

  
REVIEW
The 11th installment of SNK's trademark series reintroduces the 3-on-3 tag team gameplay and Tactical Shift system from the last 2D prequel. This version introduces a variety of new gameplay enhancements, including: an enhanced "tag combo" system, canceling system, and counter system. Among these are the Quick Shift (switch characters during combo), Saving Shift (tag out a character while they are being hit), and Dream Cancels (allowing players to use stocks to interrupt a move in the midst of its execution with a more powerful move, opening the door to devastating combos).
   

Don't let Shion fool you... Shion is a DUDE!

  
The home (PS2) version of King of Fighters XI includes a classic 3-on-3 Team Mode (if tag just isn't your thing) and even a traditional 1-on-1 mode. The console version presents the most characters ever to appear in a KOF game to date... including several PS2 exclusive characters which were taken straight from Neo Geo Battle Coliseum (Mr. Big, Geese Howard, Tung Fu Rue, Robert Garcia, Hotaru Futaba, Mai Shiranui and EX Kyo Kusanagi). The PS2 version also includes playable boss characters, Color Edit Mode, 4 new stages, and 10 new BGMs. As far as presentation goes... the intro isn't as flashy or as exciting as one might hope, and the end boss of the game is really REALLY cheap. Those flaws are easily overlooked, however, because the VS mode is where it's really at, as usual.


Overall, KOF XI's gameplay is faster and smoother than ever before. The new characters add great variety to the roster. Most of which are unquestionably cool and fun to use as well! The important thing is... it still feels like KOF. Whether you're a long time fan of the series or just a fan of 2D fighting games in general, you'll find something to like about this installment. The animation and graphics impress for a KOF title... yes, the 2D sprites still look dated, but strut their stuff on some impressively sharp backgrounds. Some backdrops are done in high-res 2D, others in 3D, and the 2D sprites manage to look decent in both. The home version also has several graphical options, including different levels of "sprite blurring" to best suit your TV and screen size.
   

Leona looks so sad... she wasn't invited to KOF XI.

  
The extras & options in the home version of KOF XI are easily the best found in a console KOF game to date. There's a nice selection artwork and endings to unlock (not to mention all of the unlockable Battle Coliseum characters), and about 50 or so "challenges" to take on. There are a ton of options, and the new Color Edit Mode is loads of fun if you're a 2D sprite fanatic like myself. Not only can you change your characters colors to your artistic liking, but you can actually change their "fire" or "effect" colors... which makes for literally infinite possibilities. Want a K' in all black, with black hair, and have him use black flames? (I did... and I made him. He's badass. Color Edit Mode is sick.)
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  View more products at TFG Shop

 

Page Updated: March 12th, 2024
Developer(s): SNK Playmore
Publisher(s): SNK Playmore
Artwork by: Hiroaki
Platform(s): Arcade, PlayStation 2, PSN 
Release Date(s): Oct. 26th, 2005            Arcade
Dec. 2005
                       Arcade
June 22nd, 2006
          PS2
July 6th, 2007               PS2
Nov. 13th, 2007
           PS2
Characters Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Gai Tendo, Ash Crimson, K', Malin, Duo Lon, Momoko, Eiji Kisaragi, Adelheid, Kula Diamond, Maxima, Terry Bogard, Duck King, Kim Kaphwan, Shen Woo, Oswald, Gato, Tizoc, Blue Mary, Ramon, Kasumi Todoh, Vanessa, Ralf Jones, Whip, Hayate, Clark Still, Ryo Sakazaki, Yuri Sakazaki, King, Athena Asamiya, B. Jenet, Shingo Yabuki, Benimaru Nikaido, Elizabeth, Magaki, Shion, Silber, Jyazu, Hayate (PS2), Mr. Big (PS2), Geese Howard (PS2), Tung Fu Rue (PS2), Robert Garcia (PS2), Hotaru Futaba (PS2), Mai Shiranui (PS2)

Featured Video:

 

Related Games: 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 XII, KOF XIII, KOF XIV, KOF XV, 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 , Neo Geo Battle Coliseum
  

Gameplay Engine  9.0 / 10
Story / Theme  8.0 / 10
Overall Graphics  8.0 / 10
Animation  8.0 / 10
Music / Sound Effects  8.0 / 10
Innovation  8.0 / 10
Art Direction  9.0 / 10
Customization  9.0 / 10
Options / Extras  9.5 / 10
Intro / Presentation  6.5 / 10
Replayability / Fun  8.5 / 10
"Ouch" Factor  8.5 / 10
Characters  9.5 / 10
BOTTOM LINE

 8.8 / 10

 Review based on PS2 version     

 

Final Words:

If you've read my previous KOF reviews, you'd know that I really enjoyed KOF 2000 and 2003... but now I have a new favorite. KOF XI's roster is easily one of the best in the entire series (and that's saying a lot). The gameplay has evolved significantly, but still offers that classic KOF gameplay that defines the serious. I definitely dig this edition's roster (even though Yamazaki is on vacation, yet again). 

KOF XI's Color Edit Mode is a brilliant toy as well... I must've spent countless hours in this mode just toying around (then I remembered the game is actually pretty fun too)! KOF XI is the KOF I'd recommend to fans of 2D fighting games who maybe don't play much KOF. It still shows its age in many ways, but KOF XI is a solid and interesting 2D fighting game with deep roots in fundamentals and tradition.
~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen  
  

 


kofxi-select-screen.jpg (125299 bytes)kxi7.jpg (161888 bytes)kxi8.jpg (159954 bytes)kxi9.jpg (173353 bytes)kxi10.jpg (128683 bytes)

Click Here for all Screenshots!

 
FOLLOW    ON:                            
TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES

 


.