The King of Fighters XIII

Critic reviews

• GRGames Radar+

  Michael Grimm · Jun 29, 2012

  7.0

  The KOF series has never looked better, and the current gameplay system and mechanics are rewarding for dedicated players. Unfortunately, its old fashioned ways and gaunt presentation make it a much harder sell for casual players. The repetitious single player modes offer little for gamers uninterested in grinding out complex combos, while the online is just okay.

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• DDestructoid

  Jonathan Holmes · Dec 16, 2011

  9.0

  KoF XIII is probably the best game of 2011 for die-hard fans of traditional 2D fighters. From the incredible graphics, to the deeply detailed and difficult-to-master drive cancel combos, to the invigorating options for rushdown and retreat that come with every KoF title, the game feels like the most traditional, yet most skill-rewarding modern fighter on the market. Unlike the Street Fighter IV games, KoF XIII doesn't make much of an effort to win over people who are intimidated by the fighting game genre. Instead, it offers a love letter to all the things that made fighting games a phenomenon in the first place.

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• IGInside Gaming

  Brandon Thompson · Dec 05, 2011

  7.5

  The King of Fighters XIII is definitely an improvement over the last installment, but is still plagued with troubled online play
• JJoystiq

  Jordan Mallory · Nov 24, 2011

  8.0

  Despite its small annoyances and ancillary shortcomings, King of Fighters XIII is hands down the best, most polished and solidly constructed King of Fighters game there's ever been. SNK Playmore has had 20 years to iterate and improve on this concept, and it shows. I doubt KOF will ever penetrate the collective American consciousness like its competitors have, but I don't necessarily believe that it needs to either. Like a hipster's favorite band, KOFXIII's greatest asset is just how uncool it is.
• GTGame Trailers

  Game Trailers · Nov 23, 2011

  8.5

  King of Fighters XIII accomplishes the difficult task of redeeming a previously failed attempt at revitalizing the franchise. Everything that makes a great fighting game, from an interesting and balanced cast to well-conceived mechanics and visual flair, are here in abundance. It's got elements that will only appeal to fans, and perhaps one or two shortcuts taken here or there, but XIII is a vast improvement on its predecessor and a legitimate return to form for the series.
• GGameSpot

  Maxwell McGee · Nov 23, 2011

  8.5

  The numerous stages are equally impressive--and infinitely more detailed--featuring hordes of overly excited spectators or a pack of elephants encircling the ring. There's even a color edit mode where you can alter your fighter's color scheme to your liking. All of these features, combined with the tightly balanced fighting mechanics, make The King of Fighters XIII a fantastic game that can easily go toe-to-toe with the heavy hitters in the fighting game genr

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