The King of Fighters 2001

"Once SNK is gone, KoF has just been lost in a huge way."

This game should be the last chapter of the NEST storyline. The next KoF will be a 2nd installment of the dream match series.

Ever since King of Fighters 2000 was released and SNK's last game, SNK fans we're thrilled to see such a great game. But now, this new concept of KoF seems to amke matters worse.

I'm a KoF game player, and I've played this game. I'd have to say I am very disappointed on how this game is developed.

This game was released in the Fall of 2001. Developed by Eolith and produced by SNK/Playmore. This game is also available on the Sega Dreamcast, Home NeoGeo System, and soon to be on the Sony PlayStation 2.

Gameplay/Features - 3/10
- There is a new Wire Damage System in which if you deal a hard hit at your enemy, they fly to the corner and fly back at you so you can pummel another combo in. The combos w/ the WD System is insane. I didn't like the Wire Damage at all.
- The Striker System has changed BIG time since King of Fighters 2000, and the new system seems to be much worse than KoF'99. Whenever you call out a striker, 1 level of your stock gauge gets confiscated. It's like you're trading supers for striker attacks.
- The game allows you to choose up to 4 characters, as usual for the new generation. This time, you're choice comes in for strikers and players. You can edit your team to be 1 fighter, 3 strikers....2 fighters, 2 strikers....3 fighters, 1 striker.... or 4 fighters, 0 strikers. The more fighters you have, the less supers you can use when you're on max. When you have all four fighters, you can't use Level 3 SDMs. Also, the more fighters you have, the more damage you take and less damage you inflict on opponents. This was just like the Ratio System in Capcom vs SNK Pro.
- The Counter and Armor modes are GONE. GONE?! NO!! This was a HUGE mistake. They should've kept it in. It would have been much better with it. I guess the new striker system is the main reason why these modes were gone. They just want to see how the players would feel about it. I feel very sad...
- This game features two tough bosses, Shin Zero and Igniz. The Zero you fought in KoF 2000 was just a clone. In this game, you meet the true form of Zero. He has 3 strikers with him this time(with one of them being Krizalid Form 1 from KoF'99). Igniz is probably the hardest boss up-to-date in a KoF game since Goenitz(KoF'96 final boss). Both Igniz and Shin Zero gets infinite SDMs, which gives them one advantage there. Igniz gets a infinite combo, but rarely does it fully.
- The healing system was a pain when you face against bosses. NO matter how much time is left, they get a whopping 35%-40% health back! I think this is way too much, because if they deserve so much healing, then we deserve more priority and time. Sixty seconds is not enough. it's only enough if you act quick and know what you're doing.

Graphics/Character Design/Visual Effects/Backgrounds - 6/10
- The graphics were pretty decent, but not as good as when SNK made KoF 2000. Projectile effects seem to be less brighter and effective, especially the flame effects done by Kyo, Iori, and K Prime.
- Character Design is decent. Most of the same sprites are kept in, but some of the new art icons seem to look Final Fantasy-ish. Igniz is one example, which he looks like a woman. Kyo is like a girl with short hair and a soft face. Some of the characters have a new set of clothes, such as Andy and Athena(sorta).
- Some of the backgrounds include girls with bikinis. What is the point of this? Oh, I know, to attract males so they can't concentrate on playing the game. :D Well, anyways, the backgrounds look dimmer compared to KoF'99 & KoF 2000. But I like some of the backgrounds, such as the Racing Car Stage.

Sound/Music - 5/10
- The voice actors seem to sound different and older. Primary examples include Kyo and K Prime. But that doesn't make them bad, it just sounds funny.
- The music wasn't all that good. Personally, I think they should have kept the Team themes like in KoF 2000. Or better yet, have individual character themes. It kinda sounds more Techno now.

Controls - 4/10
- The controls have changed big time. The SDMs seem harder to pull out, and combos are harder to do compared to previous KoFs. Hell, I can do better combos in KoF'99 than this game. But combo masters have gotten use to it. Ok, maybe I just suck at performing combos with the Wire System.

Stats
-----
Gameplay/Features: 3/10
Graphics/Character Design/Visual Effects/backgrounds: 6/10
Sound/Music: 5/10
Controls: 4/10
Average: 4.5/10

Presentation/Overall - 4
I had to lower the 4.5 to a 4, because that's what it truthfully deserves. With crappy new features, poor controls, and below average music.. this game is no good. I respect it only for it's KoF name and character design, nothing else.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 01/04/03, Updated 01/04/03