King of Fighters returns from SNK and Atlus

Step into the arena for another round in SNK/Playmore’s looking running fighting game series with King of Fighters XIV.

First launching in 1994, King of Fighters has been around the block a few times by now, though it’s still a fun and pretty great fighting game series. I enjoyed the hell out of the 13th installment a few years back, and it’s nice to see that SNK/Playmore has once again seen fit to work something out to bring the series’ latest incarnation home for fight-fans, this time with publisher Atlus.

You can expect to see everything that you’re accustomed to in this new version, including 3 on 3 team fights and a chunky 50 character roster (it wouldn’t be KoF without a ton and a half of SNK’s greatest). What you’ll also find though, are some new elements like 3D graphics (which is a huge departure for KoF) and what the company is calling the biggest alteration to the game’a tried-and-true formula since the ’98 edition.

Here’s what’s new:

• 3D Evolution: All 50 fighters, movesets and more are rendered in full 3D graphics that preserves the essence of KOF’s visual style but updates it with a whole new dimension.
• The Best Refinement since KOF ’98: Through extensive playtesting and balancing, the controls have been streamlined, and the Combo and Max Mode mechanics have been overhauled to create the most competitive fighter in SNK’s history.
• The KOF Saga Continues: There’s a robust single-player storyline where several years have passed since the previous KOF tournament. Now a worldwide business, the global KOF will decide who is the strongest as both individuals and companies with their own ambitions have come to compete. Players compete against CPU-controlled opponents to unlock the storyline.
• The Best Roster Yet: There are 50 fighters total, with 31 returning from previous entries into the KOF series, and 19 brand new characters. All 50 characters will be available at the game’s launch.
• Revamped Online Experience:THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIVhas devoted a lot of development time to improving the game’s netcode for vastly improved online gameplay. KOF XIV uses the PS4’s online architecture to have a whole host of online conveniences, from spectating to saving replay/battle data, and having a single online KOF XIV profile to connect with friends

Plenty to get excited about there, and not a monster wait either, as the game is set to launch at retail this year for the PS4. Yep, this one’s exclusive to Sony’s latest baby.