To be honest, as an old guy who has been playing The King of Fighters on emulators since the Saipan era, it was quite emotional to see Kusanagi Kyo and Iori Yagami standing on the city streets from 2D pixels to 3D models. To be honest, this game has turned the KOF inside me. It is no longer a fighting hall where the outcome is determined by one round, but a "near-future city" where you can wander around. 🏙️
I need to say a few words about the picture. Compared with those current mobile games that frequently stack light and shadow special effects, the quality of "King of Fighters World" is not top-notch, but it is better than the atmosphere. The neon lights on the streets in the evening light up, and the tram passes by on the viaduct in the distance. The fighter you control is walking through the city in regular clothes. It really feels like "hiding in the city". Back then, we were playing in the arcade in the dark. How could we have imagined that one day we would be able to stroll around like this.
The gameplay has changed a lot, and the focus has shifted from "gorgeous fighting" to "3D panoramic free city". To put it bluntly, this is no longer a pure fighting game, it is more like a large virtual community wearing the KOF skin. You can accept tasks, visit stores, interact with other players, and even experience some daily content of simulated management. The main plot fills some historical gaps in the KOF series. Fans of the older generation will feel quite warm when they see those classic dialogues reenacted. This is the smartest thing about RPG-it completely fills in the plot that was originally made up by the brain.
In terms of combat, the core is still the feel of the King of Fighters. Some of the logic of rubbing moves has been retained, but it has been simplified, and the proportion of one-click operations has increased. The threshold for new players has become lower, but for an old person like me, I always feel that there is less tension than in the past when "light feet and light legs" were testing each other. However, the sound effects and impact of the combos are still there, and occasionally you can still feel a trace of the passion of the past.
The fighter collection is another highlight. This game claims to have the most complete lineup of fighters in the history of KOF. It's not bragging, it's really satisfying. From the main team to various hidden characters, the number of characters that can be collected is quite impressive. The modeling, movements, and skills of each character are well restored. As a sentimental party, just seeing those familiar figures in your team gives you the pleasure of gathering a complete set of cards.
There are also shortcomings to be said. The novice guidance is a bit "rough". In the early stage, there will be a sense of confusion about "who am I, where am I, and what do you want me to do?" and you have to explore for a while before you can figure out the way. There are also urban simulation elements. To be honest, the degree of freedom becomes a bit "fake" in the later stages. Many places that seem open actually have hidden restrictions, and you will feel tired after running the map for a long time. In terms of earning money, the free mode is supported by card drawing and cultivation. Veteran players all know that, as long as you have a correct mentality, you can still play quite comfortably if you don't chase top combat power.
I still remember the first time I saw Mai Shiranui standing under the streetlight on the street corner in this game, my heart skipped a beat. Twenty years ago, I was hiding in bed, holding the controller, cheering for "Perfect"; twenty years later, I was holding my mobile phone, standing on the city streets in the game, looking at her on the screen, and suddenly felt that my youth had passed like this, but something seemed to be left here.
I'm not going to brag about it, but if you are an old fan of The King of Fighters, or simply want to find an action RPG that's not too exciting and not too exciting, “King of Fighters World” is worth a try. It does not perfectly restore the passionate fighting arena of the past, but it uses another way to completely place the world you were obsessed with before you. 🌆