SNK’s The King of Fighters series needs no introduction, but The King of Fighters AFK certainly does, as it’s quite unlike any of fighting games that came before it. In fact, The King of Fighters AFK is not a fighting game at all, as it’s a fusion of beat ’em ups and RPGs without some key gameplay systems that make these genres what they are. This makes The King of Fighters AFK quite a unique game, as it’s a party-based hybrid that plays on its own, but you do have control, as I’ve recently discovered in the open beta test on Android.
Disclaimer: The build is currently under development and may be subject to change before the official release.
The King of Fighters AFK puts players in the middle of the action straight away with characters like Iori Yagami and Yuri Sakazaki in your party. Like any other gacha game, you can summon your favorite characters with paid or earned in-game currency and put them on your team. These fighters will fight mobs continuously and autonomously on the field in what are called Stages, and from the build I’ve played, there’s up to 9000 Stages. While completing Stages, you will advance the main story, earn in-game currencies and equipment, unlock other modes, and take on Guide missions. As the name suggests, Guide missions will give you tasks to complete in order to help you familiarize yourself with the game’s many systems.
The King of Fighters AFK is a NEO GEO Pocket Color-Inspired Management Game at its Core
One of the key aspects of The King of Fighters AFK are the pixel art graphics, which are reminiscent of games like The King of Fighters R-2 from the NEO GEO Pocket Color system. Although the NEO GEO Pocket Color was before my time, the character designs invoke nostalgia, while the newer artwork found in menus remind me of the modern The King of Fighters series that I’m closely familiar with. There are a plethora of characters to choose from and manage on your team for autonomous 5v5 team battles, and by completing enough stages, you put those characters to the test in boss battles.
Netmarble describes the game’s “effortless progression” and fast-paced growth systems, and it’s quite accurate so far. Much of the gameplay in this new title comes from managing fighters and making sure they’re optimal in terms of stats and equipment. You can rapidly level up and empower your party with the bounty of rewards that you get in nearly every minute of gameplay. It’s a very synergistic game so far, but there are a lot of incentives for playing, including the various event types and dungeons, which are all unlockable by completing Stages.
If you enjoy real-time management games or have an affinity for The King of Fighters and other fighting games, I think The King of Fighters AFK can be a really fun game. Seeing the fighters unleash their iconic moves and grow stronger in real-time is satisfying, and the game’s music and visuals stay true to the identity of The King of Fighters. For the most part, it’s an experience that players can keep up with while playing other games or taking a break from work, as it’s so seamless and passive.
Fundamentally, The King of Fighters AFK is an interesting real-time management game with the visuals and aesthetic of a beat ’em up and the systems and parameters of RPGs. It’s a unique blend that Netmarble has crafted with the experience gained from past AFK games, and I’m curious to see what the launch version of The King of Fighters AFK entails.
Global pre-registration for The King of Fighters AFK is available now, allowing players to earn rewards ahead of launch. These rewards include 3,000 draws and playable characters Vice, Iori, and Leona.
Disclaimer: Netmarble provided an Android build of The King of Fighters AFK for preview purposes.
