The King of Fighters XII

 Xbox 360
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 43
  3. Negative: 20 out of 43
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  1. NadaN
    Jul 27, 2009
    6
    While the gameplay and graphics are good, the presentation leaves much to be desired. SNK decided not to include a story in this game, so you pretty much turn on the game and fight. That's it. Arcade Mode is really Time Trial. It has a few barely animated cutscenes, but they add nothing to the game. There isn't even a final boss. Taunts have been removed, and I'm pretty While the gameplay and graphics are good, the presentation leaves much to be desired. SNK decided not to include a story in this game, so you pretty much turn on the game and fight. That's it. Arcade Mode is really Time Trial. It has a few barely animated cutscenes, but they add nothing to the game. There isn't even a final boss. Taunts have been removed, and I'm pretty sure every character has the same win pose. On the plus side, the characters are HUGE, gorgeous and have lots of animation. KOF fans will love how the classic characters are re-imagined, as several of the them play completely different from previous KOF's, making them seem new. Has a high nostalgia factor, as characters like Andy Bogard and Raiden (Big Bear) are back, and even the recurring KOF characters are still fun to play. Just seeing Iori and Terry moving in high def is exciting. Overall I can't help but compare this to BlazBlue, which is the other new high-def 2-D fighter. That game surpasses KOFXII in almost every way. KOF's characters might be a bit bigger, and it's definitely a simpler game (which might be good news for people turned off by BlazBlue's complexity), but otherwise KOFXII is just not as good. A buy only for fans, a rental for everyone else.… Expand
  2. ClessC
    Jul 24, 2009
    6
    KOF XII he revival! Well not really. With the new great graphics taking the major light almost everything else fell to far behind. The gameplay is a stylistic mix of kof95 with some new elements that appeal to beginers. Also gone from the kof franchise is the enclusion of a story mode. This has been done before but normally for games with dream matches that have vast amounts of character KOF XII he revival! Well not really. With the new great graphics taking the major light almost everything else fell to far behind. The gameplay is a stylistic mix of kof95 with some new elements that appeal to beginers. Also gone from the kof franchise is the enclusion of a story mode. This has been done before but normally for games with dream matches that have vast amounts of character from previous games that are either dead or havent been in games in while. The pathetic roaster of only 22 character is a major hamper. While 22 characters could have been enough this ones selected are a joke. SNK does great in justis by forgetting fan favorites such as Mai and K. The most ridiculous aspect of forgeting K is that K is SNK offical mascot at the moment. Another lack luster aspect is its uncompliteness. Only 6 stages and no final boss. So heres the break down Pro: *Great Sprits and backgrounds * Simple gameplay thats pick up in play for users of all skills *Decent online play that doesnt seem to be filled with lag yet Cons *Incomplete *Missing obvious favorite characters *No bosses *Only 6 stages Overall KOF is worth owning if not only to have a visual update but to play online. However you money could be better spent on BlazBlue.… Expand
  3. ReyS
    Jul 27, 2009
    5
    ----Pros and Cons----- - Bare bones port of the arcade only. Small selection of characters and no abundance of extras that separate it from Arcade to Console port. - Along with the lack of extras, there are also no other game modes/ variables(look at the classic Capcom Vs. SNK 2, with survival, single match/ 3vs3/ ratio matches, unlockable characters, color edit mode, etc.) and the loss ----Pros and Cons----- - Bare bones port of the arcade only. Small selection of characters and no abundance of extras that separate it from Arcade to Console port. - Along with the lack of extras, there are also no other game modes/ variables(look at the classic Capcom Vs. SNK 2, with survival, single match/ 3vs3/ ratio matches, unlockable characters, color edit mode, etc.) and the loss of older gameplay attributes like tag-ins/LDMs from XI, or even the older "charge" bars from older KOF games. -Character selection is rather small compared to the bigger casts that KOF was renowned for in past iterations - Characters have lost moves, or have entirely changed. Depending on who you ask, they may take my side of thought, or argue that the "story" allows characters to have such changes...but as it has been annouced that this KOF has NO storyline intrusion, then there is no need to meddle with altering/taking away movelists, let alone make them from better to worse. Prime examples are Kyo losing his punch chains, Iori losing flames (yes, I know Ash stole them, but as this game has no story, why couldn't they have made it a "Dream Match" like 98?), Also everyone but the Shotos losing second DMs. Only possible 2 pros: + Total overhaul of graphics. The sprites looke and move fantastic, and the color/shading is more fluid and dynamic than their 2-d Rival, BlazBlue. The animation is on par with Street Fighter 3: Third Strike (kinda makes SNK's overhaul 10 years too late). + Addition of online mode. This game is meant only to be played as a rental, unless you are a Die-Hard KOF fan.… Expand
  4. NathanK
    Sep 19, 2009
    5
    After I played this game, I cried on the inside. Not because of the lack of Mai, not because of the lack of Story Mode, NOT because of the lack of a final boss, but that SNK is going dowhill and it's taking KOF with it. The graphics are great and the gameplay has that solid, classic feel to it. But seeming as There's no final boss at the end of the 5 level Arcade mode, the After I played this game, I cried on the inside. Not because of the lack of Mai, not because of the lack of Story Mode, NOT because of the lack of a final boss, but that SNK is going dowhill and it's taking KOF with it. The graphics are great and the gameplay has that solid, classic feel to it. But seeming as There's no final boss at the end of the 5 level Arcade mode, the gallery has barely any pictures in it, and every Character has only 1 SUPER MOVE, it ruined it. The online lags like a motherf**ker . The roster cut all of KOF's cast down to size. Plus there's a lack of a certain MAI SHIRANUI!!! I mean WTF? She's like the best female character in the game, boobage and ass aside. Anyways, I recommend this only for rental and not straight up buy.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009
52
#52 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 57
  3. Negative: 5 out of 57
  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    65
    Problem is, the aesthetics are disconcerting. [Aug 2009, p.76]
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  2. Destructoid
    80
    The core game is spectacular, even if the presentation framing it is awful, and it's got the potential to be well worth the money. So should you buy it? That depends on what's most important to you, but I'm going to say you most certainly should.
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  3. GamesNation
    67
    King of Fighters XII would be a great game had it been made a few years back. Unfortunately, sleek and very well-drawn characters are not enough to make up for a 2D fighting game nowadays. Yet if you like this kind of gameplay, you’ll most definitely appreciate the huge list of attacks and combos, and the rich backgrounds.
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