My hope is that SNKP starts off with some pre-release Betas eventually. They seem to be working in a way where they make quick updates pretty consistently.
Has Just Defense ever been in a KoF? (I know I feel like it has due to SNK grooves). Anyone test alt. Guarding throws yet? Do we... even have command throw character in the game yet? I guess Chang, and Iori's Scumgale...
Ok, even if the graphics are rough (but with 50 characters, I understand), animation is good and what I see of the gameplay is promising. Are we sure the HD touch of death nonsense are gone ?
I still fear online will be absolute crap judging by the fact they kept the tight gameplay of the license.
As gone as it's ever been since 2k2 series, ha. No, seriously, there's no pure XIII style HD mode right now, but the description says EX moves and cancels are allowed during MAX mode, though most haven't done such yet.
I liked HD mode well enough. It's the same as 2k2's cancel stuff, but actually usable on a much wider amount of the cast, rather than just making Nameless and Kasumi better than others. A retooled version of it / dream cancels still helps the game feel more modern than a 98 reskin. The fact you can only do EX moves in MAX mode should give this a unique flow compared to almost any other fighter out there, if that stays true.
I'm not fond of the hit graphical effects; they look out of place visually compared to the models and environments. Have the same problem with Tekken 7's hit effects. They both remind me of when FPS engines first got colored lighting, and developers just abused the hell out of them with oversaturated environments. I think Capcom is doing a better job of translating 2D effects to 3D in SF. But, not a deal breaker.
It's interesting because SNK's old 2D effects (especially later on) were pretty "realistic" looking themselves. And then they made the effects for XIII and XII, which annoyed me by not having much transparency, and therefore always looking like they were composites in front of the characters.
These here already have more transparency, and envelop the characters a better (they should, they're particles in 3D space), and they have some decent details already (motion blur on Andy and Leona, Iori and Kyo's flames filtering off into smoke before disappearing, shockwaves on heavy impacts like GALACTICA PHANTOM, etc.)
I personally wish everyone made them as illustrative as the effects in the CC2 Naruto games. They look expressive as manga effects, but with great, equal-to-the-character level of animation and detail. But other than Xrd, no one seems to even try to do that.
I do love that they're still committed to making unique effects for characters that aren't really shared on anyone else, though. Kula's Ice effects are basically never used on other characters, but her little snowflake particles, and ice on her throw, blocks and attacks always seem to stay (rather than filtering the moves out because they take more time / resources.)
