King of Fighters: Maximum Impact

"A good fighting game, but its no "King of Fighters"!!!"

Don't get me wrong…King of Fighters Maximum Impact is a good game but it's just no King of Fighters! For those of you who enjoy playing a good fighting game then this is for you. But for those who are hardcore KOF fans...well...this game is horribly disappointing…but first, lets get into details.

Graphics: (8/10)
The graphics is really nice. The transition from 2D to 3D was really given justice. The characters are all translated perfectly into 3D without leaving any details out from the original 2D design. The movement and motion are all very fluid and smooth. But the stages and the backgrounds could have been better. More interactions with the environment could have made it a little more fun and challenging. But overall, the graphics is very good, not at par with the top games out there but is very near though.

Music: (7/10)
The music wasn't very catchy. I found myself being irritated by some of the scores in the game. Most especially the score being played while viewing profiles… but that's just me… The rest of the music isn't so bad, but it's not that good either. You wont notice it much while playing… So, overall, its an ok music score that wont annoy you or wow you while playing.

Controls: (8/10)
Well, at least in this department, KOF: Maximum Impact got it right on the money. The controls are perfect ports of the KOF series. Its like playing 2D in 3D with the addition of a little rolling while getting up and the fact that you can beat up an opponent while he or she is down. So, there isn't much else left to say…

Game Play: (5/10)
Ok, now lets get down to business… lets go through the statistics. What makes KOF stand out from the rest…first is the shear number of fighters that we can choose from. KOF has one of the largest selections of fighters in any other fighting games today. But that's gone now. Were down to just a hand full of characters. Talk about a total rip-off! Remember how we like to play with our teams and choose different fighters? We can make different teams with different fighters, the combinations where almost limitless (almost). Sadly, that to is gone. All that's left is the usual one-on-one fighting mode. What a total bummer! Then there's the feel of the game. What the heck is this anyway? It doesn't feel like KOF. Sure the controls are the same but the game physics just isn't! The hits, the combos…try it out and you'll see what I mean. I mean its not that bad, those of you who enjoy fighting games, this is good. But to those looking for KOF…this just isn't it!

Story: (3/10)
In the KOF series, we are all used to the story of unbelievably global proportions. Here, were reduced to being petty street fighters. All I can say is that the story stinks.

Fun factor: (8/10)
Hey, its no KOF but I didn't say that the game wasn't fun. I'm just saying that the game is a part of the KOF series but plays nowhere near it. It's more like fatal fury: wild ambitions on the PS1. Setting everything else aside, the game is indeed fun to play. You can spend hours on end just trying out the different fighters and how they feel. Plus there are a lot of extras to be unlocked. Of course, the extras aren't all that good. But at least there are some right?

Final verdict: (7/10)
On its own, KOF: Maximum Impact is a good fighting game. It has a lot of depth in terms of extras. Plus the number of fighters is enough to keep you busy trying them all out for hours on end. Over all it's a really fun game and I would recommend buying this game to those of you who enjoy a good fighting game…but for those of you looking for the next generation in KOF gaming…well, this just isn't it. I'd suggest that you just rent it out…

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/25/04