Many people discuss fighting game titles such as Street Fighter, Tekken, Guilty Gear, and much more. Especially now, with the trending Street Fighter 6 and upcoming Tekken 8, fighting games have taken up multiple gaming conversations. However, I see one franchise rising in the ranks: The King of Fighters. This franchise is developed by SNK, which has made 15 numbered mainline titles and many spin-off games. The latest King of Fighters XV (KOFXV) has gained much support and even provided important updates to the game. One of the biggest innovations SNK has done for The King of Fighters franchise is add rollback netcode to KOFXV. Because the reception was fantastic, SNK sought to apply the same netcode to one of their older titles, The King of Fighters XIII (KOFXIII). This new rollback edition of KOFXIII is called The King of Fighters XIII Global Match, which this review will discuss.
The release of KOFXIII Global Match breathes new life into the classic KOFXIII. This title has captivated my attention as a spectator and player for the longest time. Renowned for its intricate mechanics, vibrant art style, and huge roster, KOFXIII has always held a special place in my heart. With the introduction of rollback netcode, the game promises a revitalized and smoother online experience. In this review, I’ll explore the overall online experience, offline modes, combat, and game presentation! Let’s get into the King of Fighters XIII Global Match review without further ado!
The King of Fighters XIII Finally Has Rollback Netcode With Global Match
Historically, many fighting games have relied on delay-based netcode for online play. This is a type of online connectivity where a built-in delay syncs players. This often leads to lag and an uncomfortable gaming experience. Players in the fighting game community have long advocated adopting rollback netcode as a superior solution. Rollback netcode predicts the players’ actions, minimizing lag and ensuring a more fluid experience. This approach is particularly beneficial in maintaining crucial responsiveness in fast-paced games.
KOFXIII Global Match embraced rollback netcode and I am proud to explain how great it is. The original KOFXIII had an extremely uncomfortable online experience, making some players quit. With rollback’s inclusion, players waiting for a better online experience can share relief. SNK had done three betas for the game before its release, so they had enough time to experiment. While I haven’t encountered many online players, the ones I have discovered were worthwhile. I could execute combos, react to situations, and move around smoothly. The only downside is that the stages are not animating like the previous version. This time, the stages are static backgrounds, which might have to do with the rollback netcode. This will disappoint players who love gazing at the stages while fighting.
On the bright side, SNK added spectator mode to KOFXIII Global Match! This is an important feature of the online experience in fighting games. It allows you to watch players fight against each other in a lobby. Collectively watching each other play can make for great memories.
An Overwhelming Arcade Mode With a Plethora of Characters to Choose From
The arcade mode in KOFXIII Global Match offers a classic fighting game experience with a few differences. Players can select a team of three characters to compete against AI-controlled opponents. This mode follows a linear progression of fights, leading to challenging boss battles. An awesome aspect of the arcade mode in KOFXIII Global Match is its connection to the game’s overarching story. The narrative is woven into the gameplay, unfolding the story as players advance through battles. I’ll get into the plot later, but it’s a great touch to make arcade mode intriguing.
Feel free to play as many characters as you want in the arcade mode! The roster includes all King of Fighters XII characters and introduces new ones. The Women’s Team from King of Fighters ’94 also returns for fan favorites. Each character in the roster is vastly different, offering multiple playstyles for any player. There is bound to be a character for you in this game.
This diversity in the character lineup and fascinating arcade mode makes for great single-player enjoyment. It offers a good balance of challenge and fun for any player. If you are looking for a huge roster and plot-filled arcade mode, KOFXIII Global Match is your game.
Deep, Character-Driven Story
The King of Fighters XIII Global Match features a complex narrative that concludes the saga that started in KOF 2003. Without delving into spoilers, the story revolves around the mysterious Ash Crimson and Saiki, the leader of a mysterious group. Ash has a huge involvement in the latest King of Fighters tournament. Simply put, she is a complicated character with ambiguous intentions. He wants to gather the powers of the three clans that sealed Orochi, a mythical entity in the KOF universe.
On the other hand, Saiki seeks to break the demon Orochi’s seal and unleash it upon the world. Saiki sets up the King of Fighters tournament to gather the energy required to break Orochi’s seal. Main characters Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami play a significant role in confronting both looming threats. Seeing many characters participate in this story and push the plot forward is awesome.
This story incorporates an intricate web of character relationships and supernatural elements. Various fighters are drawn into the tournament for their own reasons. This further adds diverse subplots to the main narrative. Overall, KOFXIII Global Match offers a deep, character-driven story, satisfying the Orochi saga’s conclusion.
The King of Fighters XIII Global Match Has Deep Combat Mechanics
KOFXIII Global Match stands out with its distinct and deep gameplay mechanics. One of the key features of the game is the Drive Cancel system. This system allows players to cancel out of certain special moves into other special moves. Remember that this costs half of your Drive Gauge, so you must be mindful of using it. This system adds a layer of strategic depth to combos that players will enjoy. Another significant mechanic is the Hyper Drive mode. Activating this significantly reduces the Drive Gauge cost for performing Drive Cancels. This allows players to perform more elaborate and damaging combos.
Global Match also includes mechanics like Super Cancels. This mechanic lets players cancel a special move into a super move. By executing Super Cancels, you can deal tons of damage. Not many fighting games allow you to special cancel into supers, so KOFXIII Global Match stands out in this regard. The game also has Guard Cancelling, which allows players to break out of an opponent’s offensive pressure. The King of Fighters franchise generally consists of very aggressive gameplay. Using the Guard Cancel mechanic will help you escape from fierce players and create breathing room for yourself.
I love the amount of mechanics SNK instilled into KOFXIII Global Match. It adds depth to the game, making it intense to watch and play. While seeing all these mechanics may initially seem intimidating, don’t worry. Take your time learning each one and you will see the beauty in this game’s combat.
Beautiful Animation and Extra Content
The animation and extra content are the last things I will discuss in this King of Fighters XIII Global Match review. The animations in Global Match are fantastic for several reasons. Firstly, the game sticks to sprite-based characters, where every frame in animation is crafted from individual pixels. This approach gives KOFXIII a unique retro feel, reminiscent of earlier arcade games. The character animations have fluidity, maintaining a smooth 60 frames per second. With detailed, hand-drawn sprites, characters fill the screen with life and movement. It’s fantastic to see; even watching characters move in their idle animations is a treat.
Moreover, the game’s $20.00 Deluxe Edition has an art book and soundtrack you can digitally download. The art book contains 129 pages of characters, stages, and rough designs. You can also find storyboards and art galleries to stare at. As for the soundtrack, there are 36 tracks in total that you can listen to. Characters, stages, and menu music are all available at your fingertips. I personally love listening to Kim Kaphwan’s theme way too much.
The marvelous character animations, art book, and soundtrack perfectly show off SNK’s love for the game. The sprite-based animations are not just a nod to the past but a celebration of it. It offers a visual feast that is both familiar and impressively fresh. With its comprehensive art book and diverse soundtrack, the Deluxe Edition gives a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s development. This game is a must-play for both long-time fans of the series and newcomers alike.
The King of Fighters XIII Global Match Review – The Finishing Blow
Overall, The King of Fighters XIII Global Match is an experience you won’t want to miss. Adding rollback netcode to an already fantastic classic is a smart decision. This gives new and old fighting game players the chance to visit a game they have possibly never experienced. I am excited to see how the game’s community progresses going forward.
The King of Fighters XIII Global Match is available now for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. SNK provided a copy of The King of Fighters XIII Global Match to Final Weapon for review purposes.
