Killer Instinct

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,081 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Killer Instinct Game Cover
Killer Instinct returns as an Xbox One exclusive after a long hiatus. It's one of the most thrilling and enjoyable games at the start of this new console generation.
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"Killer Instinct" is a free-to-play fighting game with a variety of characters, each with unique abilities and combos. The game offers a comprehensive combat system with various mechanics, including auto-doubles, counters, and combo breakers. It also features a story mode, online multiplayer, and regular updates with new characters and content.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,081 reviews
music197 positive mentions
monetization8 negative mentions
  • Killer Instinct revitalizes the fighting game genre with its accessible yet deep combo system, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans.
  • The game features stunning graphics, a diverse roster of characters, and an incredible soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The tutorial and training modes are highly praised for their depth, helping players learn the mechanics effectively and making the game approachable.
  • The online player base is sparse, particularly in ranked matches, which can lead to long wait times for games.
  • Some players have reported technical issues, including crashes and problems with controller support, which can detract from the experience.
  • The game's monetization model, which includes microtransactions for cosmetics, has been criticized, although most content can be unlocked through gameplay.
  • music400 mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, known for his work on the Doom series. The dynamic music system enhances gameplay by adapting to the action, creating an immersive experience that keeps players engaged. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in fighting games, making it a significant draw for both new and returning players.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely incredible, definitely my favorite among fighting games I've played.”
    • “The music ramps up as you're comboing or getting comboed, creating an exhilarating experience.”
    • “The dynamic music changes throughout this game, helping to define the characters and the story of the level.”
    • “The music is forgettable, and the sound effects lack punch.”
    • “The stage music on levels is bland and not memorable.”
    • “Take the classic, Orchid's level or combos or even Saber’s level, you can hum those tunes all day, the music in this not so much.”
  • gameplay321 mentions

    The gameplay of Killer Instinct is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics and deep combo system, making it accessible for newcomers while offering complexity for veterans. Players appreciate the diverse roster of characters, each with unique abilities, and the engaging combo breaker mechanics that keep matches dynamic and competitive. However, some critiques mention that the extensive mechanics can be overwhelming for beginners, and a few players feel that certain gameplay elements may feel incomplete or cluttered. Overall, the game is celebrated for its addictive gameplay, excellent tutorials, and a strong balance between ease of entry and depth of mastery.

    • “With its stunning graphics, fast-paced gameplay, and a diverse roster of characters, this game is a feast for both new players and seasoned veterans.”
    • “The gameplay is fast and frenetic, making it incredibly engaging at all skill levels.”
    • “The gameplay still has the classic combo-based mechanics but also adds new mechanics such as stage ultras, counter breakers, and instinct mode that give different powerful buffs depending on the character.”
    • “The bad: the most asinine combo mechanics ever implemented into a fighting game.”
    • “But gameplay is so poor and primitive.”
    • “Graphics are ok, but gameplay is boring.”
  • graphics237 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, smooth animations, and vibrant character designs, effectively merging classic aesthetics with modern enhancements. Many players appreciate the high-resolution upgrades and the ability to adjust settings for various PC capabilities, ensuring a visually appealing experience across different systems. However, some critiques mention occasional graphical glitches and a few character designs that feel less polished compared to others, but overall, the game's visuals are considered top-notch and a significant improvement over its predecessors.

    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning, with bright colors and detailed character models that will make you want to pause the game just to admire them.”
    • “In addition to its addictive gameplay, Killer Instinct boasts stunning visuals that bring each character and stage to life.”
    • “The graphics are modern, yet have a signature look.”
    • “On the negative side, the graphics look very ugly to me, even considering the year the game was made, and the combo system is not fun to me at all.”
    • “I find the game rather murky and dark, and just aesthetically ugly to look at.”
    • “Despite far exceeding the minimum specs, my computer occasionally struggles with this game, and there are some weird graphical glitches that keep popping up.”
  • story184 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, featuring a unique "Shadow Lords" mode that combines roguelike elements with character backstories, but many players feel the overall narrative is disjointed and lacks depth. While some appreciate the character-specific story modes and the replayability they offer, others criticize the absence of a comprehensive main story and the reliance on clichés. Overall, the game is seen as having a decent narrative framework, but it falls short of the more elaborate storytelling found in other fighting games.

    • “If you are a single player only fighting game fan, the game honestly has a lot to dig into too with a really unique story mode called Shadow Lords.”
    • “The story seems to take place in an alternate timeline that's separated into 3 seasons for selected characters, leading the plot from dealing with personal quests and reading slideshows in a traditional arcade tower mode to Aria gaining control of Earth and having cutscenes alongside the slideshows with choices that affect the next fights.”
    • “The Shadow Lords mode introduces a full-on single player mode where you pick a team of 3 characters, which changes what missions are available, along with purchasable objects to use on missions and guardians who provide fight bonuses.”
    • “The game's world and backstory is typically convoluted and messy with lots of old-school clichés, from evil megacorps to ancient sorcerers, sapient AIs, and extra-dimensional invaders.”
    • “They skimped badly on the story development, writing, and delivery.”
    • “The story mode is almost non-existent, like it always was.”
  • monetization51 mentions

    The monetization strategy in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the presence of microtransactions that can feel intrusive, particularly in modes like Shadow Lords where they are seen as necessary for progression. While some users appreciate that most content can be unlocked through gameplay, others find the system grindy and reminiscent of mobile games, leading to frustration over the perceived paywalls and cosmetic purchases. Overall, while microtransactions exist, many players feel they are not essential to enjoy the game fully.

    • “It has in-game purchases, but you can play it easily without them, either online or in single player.”
    • “Microtransactions are optional here, and XP is about the only thing that fast-tracks any player to anything, thankfully.”
    • “This version of the game includes everything: all characters are unlocked from the start, and skins can be unlocked by playing the game (or use microtransactions if you don't have patience).”
    • “Locking characters behind a paywall, only letting you play one character weekly, and then advertising the said free version as the 'full experience' is just scummy in my opinion.”
    • “I’m so, so sorry that one of my favorite franchises has been reduced to this mess of microtransactions and loot.”
    • “Capcom had even thrown salt in the wound after cheating people by putting advertisements in their games even for people that paid over $120 for the full content of the game.”
  • optimization35 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users noting its smooth performance, impressive graphics, and ability to run well on a variety of hardware, including older systems. While some players experienced performance issues, particularly with the Microsoft Store version, the Steam release is generally regarded as well-optimized, providing a fluid gameplay experience. However, there are occasional mentions of minor optimization shortcomings, particularly in online play and certain character models.

    • “The game runs smoothly now, love the high-res graphics upgrade.”
    • “This game is so unbelievably well optimized, and is one of the best fighting games ever made, couldn't recommend it enough.”
    • “And if that's not enough, the game is optimized so that pretty much any rig within the last six or so years can play the game at max settings with no frame drops.”
    • “Sadly it's riddled with performance issues and suffers from lack of players.”
    • “Terribly optimized.”
    • “Probably could have been better optimized; I get slowdown, but I can run more graphically intense and script-heavy games faster than this.”
  • character development29 mentions

    Character development in this game is marked by a diverse array of unique and imaginative character designs that stand out in the fighting game genre, with many players praising the creativity and distinctiveness of the characters. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies in design quality, with a few characters perceived as bland or overly generic. Overall, the combination of engaging backstories, varied playstyles, and a strong aesthetic contributes to a memorable character roster that resonates well with the community.

    • “It has some of the most interesting characters, both in terms of character design and playstyle.”
    • “Filled with some of the best fighting game character designs in recent memory, one of the greatest fighting game soundtracks ever, and looking gorgeous to boot.”
    • “Amazing character designs that all equally feel unique and well-made, along with playstyles that can 'break the rules' when it comes to fighting game aspects.”
    • “The character designs are bland, and the stages are forgettable.”
    • “If I have to put a negative, it's that KI always had a kind of generic and bland character design over the competition, but I guess character customization can mitigate that.”
    • “This KI falls short on charisma and character design, but the gameplay makes up for it.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs, particularly in certain modes like Shadow Lords. While some players have experienced smooth performance and good optimization, others have encountered significant issues that detract from the overall experience. Ongoing patches are being released, but the game's stability remains a concern for many users.

    • “It runs great on my system; I've got a CPU from 2011 (2nd gen Intel CPU) and a somewhat decent GPU (GTX 1060). I am able to crank everything on high at 1080p with zero dips in frame rate.”
    • “You don't need a high-end computer to run this game; my computer is average and the game still runs great on it.”
    • “Game runs great, 60 fps.”
    • “Do not play this buggy game.”
    • “Bought the game when it was on sale for 10 bucks, and that's about all that this bug-ridden piece of garbage is worth.”
    • “Fun game, but still filled with bugs and glitches.”
  • replayability13 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, with diverse gameplay modes, extensive character customization, and unique mechanics that encourage players to experiment with different team compositions. Users appreciate the variety of champions and the RPG elements that enhance the experience, although some note the presence of microtransactions as a downside. Overall, the combination of seasonal content and unlockables contributes to a nearly endless replay value.

    • “Amazing game, nice gameplay and game modes, tons of replayability.”
    • “There is nothing quite like it out there, but think of it as a replayable roguelike mode where you pick apart the final boss' abilities while buffing your own team through a series of missions.”
    • “No two characters play alike, and that makes for an amazing amount of replay value as you learn all of the different matchups.”
    • “And with season content encouraging continued, even daily, play not to mention the vast horde of unlockables--and yes, make way for the money whoring, for shame--this game needs the replayability.”
    • “But, what it goes for in 'realism' it loses a bit in 'fantastical effect', meaning the great 'dark and solid' vibe it has tends to make it more playable at night, in limited quantities (this is not the type of game you want to be playing in the middle of the day, too dark and scary).”
    • “The RPG element is definitely welcome and gives it much more replayability.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly when it comes to unlocking items and completing challenges, with some noting that it can take a significant amount of time to achieve certain goals. However, many appreciate that the game offers a variety of modes and unlockables without aggressive microtransactions, making the grind feel more rewarding compared to other titles. Overall, while grinding is present, it is often viewed as manageable and less frustrating than in many other games.

    • “Upon grinding for the fight challenge for blocks, I came across a possible memory leak, or so I believe, where playing local versus with a second player as Killgore and using a turbo controller to constantly press the heavy punch input while the first player character blocks to boost the challenge's numbers averaged around 15 minutes to attain the max value of 7500 blocks.”
    • “The mode can feel a little grindy at times.”
    • “This game started as a free-to-play game, so it's understandable. Sure, they should have changed it and removed the microtransactions entirely and redone the system a bit more because even though it doesn't take ages to get everything, it's grindy nonetheless. But at least, it's not as cancerous as, for example, games from Ubisoft, EA, or pretty much every developer that uses microtransactions.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players enjoying the comedic elements such as quirky character designs and over-the-top announcers, which enhance the fun of multiplayer sessions. However, some critiques point to inappropriate content and a lack of originality in certain aspects, detracting from the overall comedic experience. Overall, the humor is a highlight for many, contributing to the game's entertainment value.

    • “Super good, super funny to play with your friends, easy to understand.”
    • “The announcer is also hilariously over the top.”
    • “Haha funny speedo frog go weee.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotions regarding the game's complexity and community support, feeling initially lost but ultimately comforted by the welcoming nature of fellow gamers. While the detailed tutorials boost confidence for newcomers, some long-time fans are disappointed by changes to beloved characters, feeling that these alterations dilute their original, darker essence. Overall, the emotional experience is characterized by a journey from anxiety to empowerment, tempered by nostalgia for the past.

    • “The community Discord is full of really wholesome people who would love to teach you the intricacies of this game.”
    • “Having little to no experience in fighting games made me a little afraid of playing against other players, but after going through the detailed practice tool and tutorial mode, I felt like I could stand a chance against them.”
    • “There are some differences with the way some of the old characters sound and feel, but nothing that severely affects the gameplay; for example, Spinal's new theme is less creepy and effective, making him feel more like a wholesome, family-friendly character rather than a blighted supernatural entity.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere in various fighting games is often praised for its vibrant style, exceptional soundtracks, and immersive character designs, particularly in titles like Injustice 1, which is noted for its fluid gameplay and memorable PvP experiences. However, the enjoyment of the atmosphere can be undermined by balance issues, as players frequently express frustration with certain characters dominating the competitive scene through zoning tactics and unbalanced mechanics. Overall, while the aesthetic and auditory elements are celebrated, they are sometimes overshadowed by gameplay imbalances that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The style and atmosphere are crazy.”
    • “It easily is one of the best fighting games in terms of soundtrack, sound design, atmosphere, and character design.”
    • “Injustice 1 has the best fighting experience you can get in any fighter - the fluidity and atmospheric awesomeness of the game make long PvP sessions one of the most memorable in gaming history.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Killer Instinct

Play time

14hMedian play time
43hAverage play time
9-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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