Publisher: SNK Playmore

The King of Fighters XII (2009)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

The King of Fighters XII: A Reinvention of a Classic Fighting Franchise

The King of Fighters XII, released in 2009, marked a significant turning point for the long-running fighting game franchise. As the twelfth installment in the series and a celebration of its 15th anniversary, KOF XII underwent a massive reinvention, rebuilding the game from the ground up both technically and visually.

Gameplay Reinvention

One of the most noticeable changes in KOF XII was the streamlining of its battle system. The tag system introduced in the previous game, KOF XI, was removed, returning to the traditional 3-vs-3 format that the series is known for. This simplified the gameplay, making it more accessible to newcomers while still retaining the depth and complexity that veteran players enjoyed.

Another significant gameplay change was the introduction of the “Active Guard” system. This new defensive mechanic allowed players to parry incoming attacks by pressing the guard button just before impact. Successful Active Guards not only negated the damage but also gave the player a brief window of opportunity to counterattack. This added a new layer of strategy to the game, rewarding players with quick reflexes and precise timing.

Visual Overhaul

In addition to the gameplay changes, KOF XII also received a complete visual overhaul. The game’s character sprites and backgrounds were redesigned in high resolution, giving the game a stunning new look that pushed the limits of the aging Neo Geo hardware. The character animations were also greatly improved, resulting in more fluid and realistic movements.

Character Roster

KOF XII featured a total of 22 fighters, all of whom were returning combatants from previous titles. This included fan favorites such as Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Terry Bogard, and Mai Shiranui. Two additional characters, Elisabeth Blanctorche and Oswald, were exclusive to the home release of the game.

Game Modes

KOF XII offered a variety of game modes to cater to different types of players. The arcade mode featured a five-round “time attack” mode, where players had to defeat all of the CPU opponents within a certain time limit. The game also included online and local versus modes, as well as practice and replay modes. Additionally, there was an unlockable art gallery that showcased character artwork and concept sketches.

Reception

The King of Fighters XII received generally positive reviews from critics upon release. The game’s streamlined gameplay and stunning visuals were praised, although some reviewers criticized the lack of innovation and the removal of the tag system. Despite this, KOF XII was considered a solid entry in the series and a worthy celebration of its 15th anniversary.

Legacy

The King of Fighters XII marked a turning point for the franchise, not only in terms of its gameplay and visuals but also in terms of its development. The game was the last KOF title to be released on the Neo Geo hardware, and it signaled the series’ transition to more modern platforms. KOF XII also laid the foundation for future KOF games, with its streamlined gameplay and Active Guard system becoming staples of the franchise.

Conclusion

The King of Fighters XII is a significant installment in the KOF franchise, representing a major reinvention of the series both technically and visually. Its streamlined gameplay, stunning visuals, and solid roster of characters make it a worthwhile entry for both newcomers and veteran fans alike. While it may not be the most innovative or groundbreaking KOF game, it remains a solid and enjoyable fighting experience that celebrates the franchise’s rich history.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Samurai Shodown V (2003)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Samurai Shodown V (2003): A Return to Form for the Classic Fighting Game Series

Samurai Shodown V is a 2D fighting game developed and published by SNK Playmore. It was released in arcades in 2003, and was later ported to the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows. The game is the fifth installment in the Samurai Shodown series, and is a direct sequel to Samurai Shodown IV.

Samurai Shodown V brings back the classic side-scrolling action of the previous games in the series, but with a number of new features and improvements. The game features a new cast of characters, as well as a number of returning favorites. The game also introduces a new gameplay mechanic called the “Rage Gauge”, which allows players to power up their attacks by taking damage.

The story of Samurai Shodown V takes place several years after the events of Samurai Shodown IV. The evil warlord Mizuki Rashojin has been defeated, but his followers are still at large. The player takes control of one of several samurai warriors who must travel the land and defeat Rashojin’s remaining followers in order to restore peace to the world.

Samurai Shodown V was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its beautiful graphics, tight gameplay, and large roster of characters. The game was also nominated for several awards, including “Best Fighting Game” at the 2003 Golden Joystick Awards.

Gameplay

Samurai Shodown V is a 2D fighting game played on a 2D plane. The game features a cast of 28 characters, each with their own unique fighting style and special moves. The game also introduces a new gameplay mechanic called the “Rage Gauge”. The Rage Gauge fills up as the player takes damage, and can be used to power up the player’s attacks.

The game also features a number of different game modes, including a single-player arcade mode, a versus mode, and a training mode. The arcade mode is the main story mode of the game, and sees the player fighting their way through a series of opponents in order to defeat Mizuki Rashojin. The versus mode allows two players to fight against each other, and the training mode allows the player to practice their combos and moves.

Characters

Samurai Shodown V features a cast of 28 characters, including 24 returning characters from previous games in the series and 4 new characters. The returning characters include Haohmaru, Nakoruru, Ukyo Tachibana, and Galford. The new characters include Asura, Mizuki Rashojin, Yumeji Kurokouchi, and Shizumaru Hisame.

Each character in Samurai Shodown V has their own unique fighting style and special moves. For example, Haohmaru is a well-rounded character with a variety of powerful attacks, while Nakoruru is a fast and agile character who specializes in using projectiles.

Graphics and Sound

Samurai Shodown V features beautiful 2D graphics that are some of the best in the series. The characters are all well-animated and the backgrounds are detailed and colorful. The game also features a great soundtrack that perfectly captures the atmosphere of the game.

Conclusion

Samurai Shodown V is a fantastic addition to the Samurai Shodown series. It brings back the classic side-scrolling action of the previous games in the series, but with a number of new features and improvements. The game features a large roster of characters, beautiful graphics, and tight gameplay. Samurai Shodown V is a must-play for fans of fighting games and samurai action.

Pros

  • Beautiful graphics
  • Tight gameplay
  • Large roster of characters
  • New gameplay mechanics

Cons

  • Can be difficult for beginners
  • Some characters are more powerful than others

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Metal Slug 6 (2006)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Metal Slug 6: A Nostalgic Return to Run-and-Gun Excellence

Introduction

Metal Slug 6, released in 2006, is a side-scrolling run-and-gun arcade game developed by SNK Playmore. It is the sixth installment in the popular Metal Slug series, and it was released on the NeoGeo arcade platform. Metal Slug 6 was later ported to the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows.

Gameplay

Metal Slug 6 retains the classic gameplay of the previous Metal Slug games. Players control one of four characters – Marco Rossi, Tarma Roving, Fio Germi, or Eri Kasamoto – and fight their way through hordes of enemies, using a variety of weapons and vehicles.

One of the new features in Metal Slug 6 is the “Weapon Stock System”. This system allows players to carry two weapons at the same time, and to switch between them at any time. This adds a new layer of strategy to the game, as players must now decide which weapons to equip for each situation.

Another new feature in Metal Slug 6 is the “Score Multiplier”. This multiplier increases the player’s score for each enemy they kill in a row. The faster the player kills enemies, the higher the multiplier will be. This encourages players to play aggressively and to go for high scores.

Story

The story of Metal Slug 6 takes place after the events of Metal Slug 3. The Rebel Army and the Martian Army have formed an alliance to combat a new threat – the Ptolemaic Army. The Ptolemaic Army is led by General Morden, who has returned from the dead to seek revenge on the Rebel Army.

The player characters must fight their way through the Ptolemaic Army’s forces and defeat General Morden. Along the way, they will encounter a variety of new enemies and bosses, as well as some familiar faces from previous Metal Slug games.

Graphics and Sound

Metal Slug 6 features beautiful hand-drawn graphics that are full of detail and color. The game’s backgrounds are lush and varied, and the character sprites are expressive and well-animated.

The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with a mix of catchy tunes and intense sound effects. The music helps to create a sense of atmosphere and excitement, and it perfectly complements the gameplay.

Overall

Metal Slug 6 is a fantastic run-and-gun game that is sure to please fans of the series and newcomers alike. The game’s new features add a fresh layer of strategy and excitement to the classic Metal Slug formula, and the beautiful graphics and sound create a truly immersive experience.

Detailed Analysis

Gameplay

Metal Slug 6’s gameplay is fast-paced and intense, with a wide variety of enemies and bosses to fight. The game’s controls are tight and responsive, and the characters move and shoot with precision.

The Weapon Stock System adds a new layer of strategy to the game. Players must now decide which weapons to equip for each situation, and they must be able to switch between weapons quickly and efficiently. This system encourages players to experiment with different武器 combinations to find the ones that work best for them.

The Score Multiplier is another great addition to the game. This multiplier encourages players to play aggressively and to go for high scores. It also adds a sense of urgency to the game, as players must constantly be killing enemies to keep the multiplier going.

Story

Metal Slug 6’s story is simple but effective. It provides a good excuse for the player characters to fight their way through the Ptolemaic Army’s forces and defeat General Morden. The game’s cutscenes are well-animated and full of humor, and they help to add to the game’s overall charm.

Graphics and Sound

Metal Slug 6’s graphics are beautiful and detailed. The game’s backgrounds are lush and varied, and the character sprites are expressive and well-animated. The game’s use of color is also excellent, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and excitement.

The game’s soundtrack is also excellent

Review Score

9/10

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Metal Slug 2 (1998)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Metal Slug 2 is a landmark in arcade gaming, offering an action-packed adventure with rich gameplay and humor.

Introduction

Metal Slug 2 enhances the iconic run & gun formula with new features and characters, continuing the fight against General Morden’s forces and an alien threat.

Synopsis

The plot of “Metal Slug 2” picks up two years after the end of the original “Metal Slug”, where Capt. Marco Rossi and Lt. Tarma Roving of Peregrine Falcon Strike Force defeated and killed the evil General Morden, who had staged a coup d’état against the world’s governments. Various factions sympathetic to Morden have been in operation, but are considered insignificant.

The game begins with the destruction of the town of Torchlight, at the hands of the Alchemist from the first game. The player character follows the trail of destruction left in the Alchemist’s wake as he searches for a cure to his illness which has driven him insane.

Gameplay in “Metal Slug 2” is similar to the previous game; the player must shoot constantly at a continual stream of enemies in order to reach the end of each level. At this point, the player confronts a boss, who is usually considerably larger and tougher than regular enemies. On the way through each level, the player can find numerous weapon upgrades and “Metal Slug” tanks. The tank is known as the SV-001 (“SV” stands for Super Vehicle), which increases the player’s offense and considerably adds to their defense.

In addition to shooting, the player can perform melee attacks by using a knife and/or kicking. The player does not die by coming into contact with enemies, and correspondingly, many of the enemy troops have melee attacks. Much of the game’s scenery is destructible, and occasionally, this reveals extra items or power-ups.

During the course of a level, the player encounters prisoners of war (POWs), who, if freed, offer the player bonuses in the form of random items or weapons. At the end of each level, the player receives a scoring bonus based on the number of freed POWs. If the player dies before the end of the level, the tally of freed POWs reverts to zero.

Characters

Marco Rossi, Tarma Roving, Eri Kasamoto, and Fio Germi.

Gameplay

Includes fast-paced run-and-gun mechanics, new weapons, vehicles, and power-ups, along with character-specific abilities and transformations.

Conclusion

Metal Slug 2 stands as a testament to SNK’s ability to craft engaging and enduring arcade titles, offering a memorable and explosive gaming experience.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern

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