Support NeoGAF

[Jimmyfenix]

OpenCritic - 81
MetaCritic - 81

Eurogamer - Recommended

King of Fighters 14 has chosen the perfect moment at which to enter the fray. Like a wizened fighter, lured from his flabby retirement by a master trainer whose belief in his student has never wavered, this is an inspiring return. Yasuyuki Oda's masterly knowledge of the fighting game genre is clearly evident and, at its fundamental level, this is a game that can, finally, go toe-to-toe with Capcom's prizefighter. It remains the more complicated, elbow-y game, but for those able to master its intricacies, a superb one.

The Games Machine - 9.2/10

Digitally Downloaded - 4.5/5

The King of Fighter XIV channels the spirit of the 90s whilst very subtly evolving to attract more casual players. Coupled with a truly electrifying character roster and robust single player options, the game feels like a legitimate classical experience done justice. It caters to more than just the hardened warriors of yesteryear. If eSports are your forte, though, SNK has you covered with one of the fighting genre’s broadest spectrums of options to tinker with.

Gaming Nexus - 8.5/10

And that’s King of Fighters XIV. In a nutshell, it’s a no nonsense fighting game experience that’s ready to go, right out the box. In an era where it’s more common to patch in features post launch in order to make a release date, it’s good to see the Atlus and SNK were committed to players receiving a completed game on the disc, what a novel idea. I’m not totally sold on the visuals, but that’s purely a personal preference. I thought the sprite work of the last two games was something to carry a legacy on, but that’s obviously not the intended direction for SNK. Still, this game is loaded with content, and offers plenty of characters so you’re bound to find someone that fits your playstyle. The new characters that they’ve added definitely give this game a fresh feel, while retaining some of the classic characters that we’re all familiar with, and with such an expansive roster, it’s surprising that it feels so balanced. Though I’m sure that will change after a few weeks of online play. If you’re a fan of King of Fighters, then there’s no reason to miss out on King of Fighters XIV.

Gamespot - 8/10

If you're looking to compete against other players online, the good news is that servers are smooth and stable thus far. It also helps that your online activities are initiated via matchmaking rooms, where up to 12 players can join in and slot into separate rooms within to play exhibition matches of a chosen mode. The format is intuitive and keeps you from having to constantly search for a new room after every match just to find another opponent--though you'll be resorting to this in Ranked mode. It's also a great way to interact with multiple players at once via voice chat or text, testing your skills, asking questions, or discussing strategies.

With plenty of opportunities available online or off, KOF 14 is a well-executed addition to the revered fighting series. Those disappointed in its new visuals may be unwilling to give it a chance, but if you remain steadfast in parsing through the multiple layers of its mechanics, you'll be rewarded with one of the most accessible, satisfying entries in the series to date.

We Got This Covered - 8/10

The King of Fighters XIV is another solid entry in SNK’s long-running series. The slate of 19 new characters is surprisingly consistent across the board, providing winner after unique winner, and there are plenty of modes for newcomers and experts alike to enjoy. The graphical style may be a bit lacking when it comes to technical prowess, but that’s not such a terrible thing when you consider how much work has gone into making the character and environment designs stand out. Whether you’re a franchise fan or just itching for a fight, this King of Fighters delivers one of the best experiences in the genre on PS4.

Destructoid - 8/10

Others have been shuffled around, like the Dhalsim-flavored Duo Lon, who has been replaced by the female Luong. In other words, it took me days on end to try out all of these newcomers, much less pick up all the new tech from the old ones, so if you're someone who spends lots of time in the lab you have your work cut out for you. I also think we're going to be seeing a few unknowns in tournaments and in future iterations in years to come. It's a fresh, good feeling to have as a KOF fan!

PS Lifestyle - 8/10

The King of Fighters XIV is a fully featured fighting game. It still feels like its classic predecessors, but it has been updated in some important areas to feel like a modern take. Its roster is both a celebration of the series that also signifies that this is a new step forward. I’m excited to see KoF back in the spotlight, and I hope to see SNK continue building on this great installment.
Read more at http://www.playstationlifestyle.net...eview-a-royal-return-ps4/#iPPHf6J1Q2QkXut4.99

Push Square - 7/10

It's perhaps disingenuous to claim that King of Fighters XIV marks a glorious return to form akin to that of Street Fighter IV, because the more recent 2D instalments in SNK's franchise have been excellent examples of technical fighting brilliance. What the fourteenth entry in this esteemed franchise does is lay down the foundations for future sequels which will – thanks to the relentless march of technology – use 3D models instead of handdrawn sprites. While King of Fighters XIV looks positively shabby when placed alongside Street Fighter V, it arguably offers more depth and variety. The three-person mechanic encourages players to master more than one fighter, and the cast – while perhaps not as instantly-recognisable as the likes of Ryu, Chun-Li, and Blanka – has something for every type of player.

Ironically, the biggest sticking point with King of Fighters XIV is the one aspect designed to make it more appealing to outsiders; the new "Rush" mode allows even complete newbies to look like combo-crunching experts, but it's likely to divide opinion with serious players who prefer to rely on their own skill and knowledge when it comes to unlocking the game's most potent moves. Even so, this single concession to a mainstream audience is easy to forgive when taken as part of a package which rewards methodical, technical play in a way that no other fighting game does

 

[dragonzdogma]

LONG LIVE THE KING!
LOL again?

 

[IBleedRangerBlue]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=214567578