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The history of The King of Fighters series dates back to 1994, and now, more than thirty years and several successful titles later, we have the fifteenth entry in the main series from 2022. It is an entertaining fighting game that honors the long-standing tradition while introducing innovative features.
The fifteenth installment returns to the proven gameplay mechanics seen in previous titles. As the first entry developed using Unreal Engine 4, the developers were able to introduce several refreshing enhancements. The combat system is fast and dynamic, and, as is typical for The King of Fighters, allows plenty of room for creativity. This makes it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players. The core of the game once again revolves around a team of three fighters that can be swapped during matches. Each has different combat techniques and combos, enabling various playstyles. To win, you must defeat a team of three opponents. Online matches thus become very tactical, where the selected trio of fighters plays a crucial role. King of Fighters XV initially offers 39 characters, each with a unique fighting style. Additional fighters are available through DLC. Whether it’s iconic characters from previous entries or newcomers like Shun’ei and Isla, everyone will find a favorite. In addition to returning characters, fighters from other franchises (Fatal Fury and Samurai Shodown) also appear. Although the game delivers great fights, some aspects like the more complex tutorials can be a bit annoying for beginners. The story mode is fun but quite short – a main point of criticism. However, for fans of pure team-based fighting games, The King of Fighters XV remains an excellent choice.
The King of Fighters XV is available for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox X/S, and Windows PCs. Given its age, the price is quite reasonable, and it’s also great for parties with friends as a fun activity.
You can purchase the game in the respective console’s online store, and for PCs it’s available on Steam and Epic Games – from where you can also download it. Another option is to buy a digital key from third-party websites (see our reviews) and save even more. If you’re looking for a fighting game that combines traditional elements with new ideas, you should definitely give The King of Fighters XV a try. However, be prepared to invest time to fully master its mechanics for the best experience.
