Looking at KPL and LPL recently, one feeling is particularly obvious: version updates have an increasing impact on the rhythm of the game. Especially the changes in the jungle this season have caused many operational teams to suffer. On the contrary, young players who dare to play and fight are more likely to shine. In fact, this phenomenon of "versions giving rise to playing styles" is even more pure in fighting games. For example, in the King of Fighters series, a frame rate adjustment can shuffle the entire character echelon. This is also the reason why I am interested in the mobile game King of Fighters World - although it has become an MMORPG, it still has the competitive genes of KOF in its bones.
Some people may think that the King of Fighters world has changed its focus from "gorgeous fighting" to "3D panoramic free city", has it lost the soul of fighting? I don't think so. Watching games recently, many teams are emphasizing "map resources" and "view control", which is completely different from the previous pure online suppression. The free city simulation in the King of Fighters world is actually a bit similar to this "asymmetric game": you can fight on the streets, earn resources by completing tasks in the city, and even manage your own stronghold. This is like "side lane" and "face-to-face combat" in e-sports. Which rhythm to choose depends on your understanding of the version.
Of course, what I am looking forward to most is the most comprehensive performance of fighters in the history of KOF. There is a very popular meme in the LPL recently, saying that a certain player's "hero pool" is as deep as the ocean. In the King of Fighters world, that is your "fighter pool." Not to mention old characters such as Kusanagi Kyo, Iori Yagami, and Mai Shiranui, many unpopular fighters will also appear this time. It's like someone suddenly pulls out an unpopular mid laner during the game and catches the opponent off guard. The version is rebalanced and there will always be sewer heroes, but those who know how to play can still show off.
As for the charging mode, the game shows 0 (that is, free). I think this is quite in line with the current ecology of e-sports mobile games. If you look at the KPL competition server, all heroes and all skins are open. Competitive fairness is the basis of the competition. If The King of Fighters World can maintain the sincerity of being "open to all fighters", even if there are payment points in the future, as long as it does not affect the PVP balance, I will be willing to be a long-term player.
Finally, let's talk about the combination of “Free City” and e-sports events. Nowadays, many mobile e-sports games have begun to engage in "city competitions." For example, the city home and away system of a certain MOBA actually binds online competition with offline city culture. Since the world of The King of Fighters is a "free city in the near future", if there can be a "city arena competition" in the future, with each city representing a fighter, it would be really exciting. Think about it, the Beijing team chose Mai Shiranui, and the Shanghai team chose Iori Yagami. This kind of regional reference is much more interesting than a simple team name.
In a word, if you usually watch games and like to study versions and tactics, and have feelings for KOF fighters, King of Fighters World is worth trying. It is not necessarily the most competitive mobile game, but the feeling of randomly meeting a master in an open city and playing a game is quite like meeting a professional player in a qualifying match. Anyway, I made an appointment, and we'll see you on the street after the server opens. 😏