Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct is one of the most thrillingly addictive fighting games in years, recreating the mid-1990s series like you remember it, just not necessarily how it actually was.

An excellent fighting game, fast and furious, easy to learn hard to master and with superb audio and graphics. A jewel for fans of the genre that will have a long life.

Killer Instinct is a good fighting game despite its obvious lack of content.

Not only is its combat system flashy and well thought out, it's well explained too, thanks to its powerful training tools, and what is easily the most complete guide to terminology and tactics ever assembled in a fighting game.

Maybe Double Helix didn't choose the best model to bring back this beloved Franchise to life, but they certainly did a great job maintaining everything that fans loved from the original game. Killer Instinct fans shouldn't let this game pass without, at least, trying it.

Flashy, brutal and deeper than you'd expect. Killer Instinct is back baby.

No one would have bet on Double Helix, yet they proved everyone wrong: not only does this return of Killer Instinct hold intact the spirit of the original, but it takes the franchise to a whole new level. It might lack some content and still be a WIP, yet this is one of the sweetest treats the nextgen has given us.

One of the best Xbox One launch exclusives and a great fighting game, with a very good combat system and probably the best tutorial section ever seen in the genre. Our only complaints are about the thin characters line-up and the absence of a classic Arcade mode.

By no means is it going to topple some of the more prominent fighting titles, but it is definitely an interesting and pretty game that can be enjoyed by casual and hardcore players alike.

Ultimately, however, costing nothing to download, we recommend giving the game a try, because even with a lack of content, Killer Instinct is a fun fighting game that's able to appeal to newcomers and hardcore fighting fans alike.

Fans of the Killer Instinct franchise need not worry, this is a great game to launch with the Xbox One.

It plays smoother, looks better than anything out there, and has a kick-ass soundtrack with a goofball announcer to boot. If you absolutely must recreate your childhood, then pick up the $40 pack, but most will be satisfied spending half that.

The great training offered by Killer Instinct will help you get your feet wet, and it might just introduce you to some concepts that'll make you understand all fighting games on a slightly deeper level. That's a great touch.

Unfortunately, the weird pricing structure and noticeable depth of features holds back the screaming, rage-filled “Powerthirst” of fighting games from really making a statement. It’s no Street Fighter competitor this time around, but it’s good enough to measure up against the rest.

Excellent mechanics and incredible playability make up for Killer Instinct's shortage of single-player content.

Killer Instinct may seem little light with only six characters at launch, no lobbies for online play, and no Story mode until March, but the fighting mechanics are top notch. You can't argue with how easy the game is to pick up and play, and you'll have a ton of fun in the process. This is easily one of the best Xbox One launch titles.

Six characters (two more to come) are too few too be happy, but the style and gameplay mechanics of Killer Instinct are interesting, brutal and fresh. Don't miss it.

Killer Instinct certainly is a fun game that does everything fighting games need to do right. It just doesn’t have a whole lot to offer otherwise. So unless you have a dedicated group of fighting gamers to play the game with you, you probably won’t get the Killer Instinct experience you were hoping for, and even if you do, high-level play feels a bit shallow.

Killer Instinct is shaping up well and that's the problem – this isn't a full game by any stretch of the imagination. Still, what is here shows that Double Helix will likely do the series proud with an update that is at once reverential and forward-thinking.

A fairly barebones fighter, but an entertaining one all the same. In time, it could be an excellent Xbox One exclusive.

With a pricing scheme that doesn't feel exploitative and a balanced character roster, the well developed mechanics will keep you busy until the new content drops next year.

So far, there's a solid foundation, but in terms of content is extremely empty compared to any other actual fighting game. Only time will tell if Microsoft keeps bringing enough support and content to this promising return.

For now, our recommendation would be that if you're looking for a fighting game that skimps on story and has just a handful of options, but still delivers tournament-ready credentials, look no further. Killer Instinct is making a brash play at the top table and, as far as we can tell, it's got the goods.