THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,316 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV Game Cover
King of Fighters XV is a delight. It feels like a new dawn for a legendary series, and I am genuinely excited to try out some of the future DLC characters that are on their way over the course of the year.
Starting at $15.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on Epic Games Store Get on PS Store

"THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV" is a popular fighting game that features a wide roster of iconic characters from the long-running franchise. The game offers a variety of game modes, including a story mode, online multiplayer, and various offline modes. Players can engage in fast-paced and strategic fights using a variety of combos, special moves, and super moves.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,316 reviews
gameplay142 positive mentions
optimization9 negative mentions
  • gameplay317 mentions

    The gameplay in "King of Fighters XV" is widely praised for its smooth mechanics, fast-paced action, and a diverse roster of characters, making it accessible yet deep enough for both newcomers and veterans. While some players appreciate the blend of classic and modern elements, others express concerns about certain mechanics like auto combos and matchmaking issues. Overall, the game is considered a solid installment in the series, offering a rewarding fighting experience despite some criticisms regarding online play and character balance.

    • “Gameplay is really smooth and you can combo with ease.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, as well as polished and fair.”
    • “The gameplay feels fun and very responsive.”
    • “There's nothing major going wrong, but designs for new characters are becoming increasingly overwrought, and I'm not a fan of the 'mash LP to instacombo' mechanic that carried over from KOF XIV.”
    • “I don't want easy bake normal/super combos, I want to learn good combos with normals and normals in conjunction with specials and probably topped off with a super or EX at my choosing. I will change my review when they fix just those two things: fix matchmaking, and remove the rush combo mechanic, and I will have a much better time with this game.”
    • “The gameplay is a blend of King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match, King of Fighters 13, most of the best features from King of Fighters 14 refined, and a little influence from Garou: Mark of the Wolves.”
  • graphics215 mentions

    The graphics in KOF XV have received mixed reviews, with many praising the character detail and overall visual quality as a significant improvement over its predecessor, KOF XIV. While some players appreciate the vibrant art style and effects, others feel the graphics still lag behind contemporary fighting games like Tekken 7 and Street Fighter 6, citing a need for better optimization and more graphical options. Overall, the visuals are considered attractive and a step in the right direction, but not groundbreaking within the genre.

    • “The graphics are colorful and beautiful due to being developed with Unreal Engine, similar to the last Samurai Shodown.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous to look at, building on the style introduced in Samurai Shodown 2019 with beautiful, life-filled stages, artfully rendered character models, and hit/super effects that make everything feel explosive and impactful.”
    • “The graphics are very nice and particularly the stages look of a wonderful quality.”
    • “If you like single-player content in your fighting games and also value graphics/visuals above all else, this might not be the right one for you.”
    • “Graphics look like a mobile game, but the gameplay is classic KOF.”
    • “The graphics are so detailed, you can even see the buttons of Chizuru's outfit have a crane image on it.”
  • story178 mentions

    The story mode in the latest King of Fighters installment is generally viewed as short and simplistic, often described as a glorified arcade ladder with minimal character development and a lack of engaging narrative depth. While some players appreciate the character interactions and unlockable content, many express disappointment over the limited single-player options and the overall execution of the story, which feels less compelling compared to previous entries in the series. Overall, the focus appears to be more on gameplay than on delivering a rich story experience, leaving fans of the narrative aspect wanting more.

    • “The story mode is basic but the interactions between characters is a nice touch.”
    • “The story definitely isn't anything special at all, just your run of the mill fighting tournament, but at least there's some character specific cutscenes.”
    • “The game looks good, plays solid, and while the story is very brief, it does push the climax a healthy dose forward even if it is a bit out there.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game does not have a lot of single player options; the only thing you get is the story mode, which is just a glorified arcade ladder with cutscenes sprinkled in between to help with the variety. The mission mode is bland and doesn't offer much outside of giving you information on how certain special moves link together, but you have to find out optimal combos on the internet or on your own.”
    • “The story mode is basic but the interactions between characters are a nice touch. However, the story is disappointing and lacks depth, making it feel like a repeat of previous games with less plot.”
    • “The 'story mode' is just an arcade run through. People buying for the story will be grossly disappointed!”
  • music167 mentions

    The music in "KOF XV" has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its diverse soundtrack that includes both new tracks and classic songs from previous entries in the series. The game features a customizable jukebox, allowing players to curate their own playlists for different modes and stages, enhancing the overall experience. While some users noted that certain tracks may not resonate as strongly as those from earlier games, the extensive library and ability to unlock music from other SNK titles are seen as significant positives.

    • “KOF XV features a large song library and you can customize your own music playlists, allowing you to curate your own background music rather than listen to the default soundtrack. Music is an important aspect of fighting games that people don't talk about, but hearing the same song over and over can be tiring.”
    • “The music, as expected of an SNK fighting game, is top-notch, exploring a wide variety of styles while allowing the player to fully customize their soundtrack experience down to the menu theme.”
    • “The soundtrack is very good and very enjoyable; as usual, SNK is known for their great soundtracks, and they haven't disappointed with this soundtrack.”
    • “KOF XV features a large song library and you can customize your own music playlists, but hearing the same song over and over can be tiring.”
    • “Uncomfortable controls on PC, bad music, bad graphics, and design.”
    • “Possibly the worst soundtrack in the entire franchise of KOF.”
  • optimization31 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on lower-end systems and quick loading times, while others report frequent crashes, stuttering, and frame drops, particularly during intense moments or online play. Many users suggest that while the game is generally well-optimized, it still requires further improvements to address specific performance issues and enhance the overall experience. Overall, the consensus indicates that the game has potential but suffers from notable optimization flaws that detract from its enjoyment.

    • “Performance wise, it's running incredibly fast on a USB3 HDD, and it loads competently fast, with no loading screens, just a scoreboard of what's up next, and boom the stage is there.”
    • “This game is super well optimized and will run on a potato, and backgrounds and characters look very nice in my opinion.”
    • “Aside from 4K, the PC optimization is fine, and that will clearly be patched.”
    • “The biggest problem is that it's poorly optimized.”
    • “Even on the most performance-centered settings on my workhorse of a computer, the game stutters and freezes from time to time in offline play.”
    • “There are performance issues like frame drops and stuttering.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in this game is highlighted by its exceptional character designs and engaging aesthetics, which blend nostalgic 90s elements with modern flair. While the roster is praised for its stylish and fun characters, some players express a desire for deeper storylines and character growth, reminiscent of previous titles in the series. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience with a solid balance of gameplay, though some critiques point to outdated graphics and clunky animations.

    • “I love his exceptional character design, music, engaging combat system, and delightful humor.”
    • “The roster is filled with some of the most fun and stylish character designs I have ever seen in a fighting game.”
    • “I'm really hoping that in the future there will be more story and character development added, like previous titles.”
    • “I've never seen a character designed so poorly that it makes the game unplayable and unfit for competitive play, ehem Billy Kane, ehem.”
    • “I tried to ignore the 2013 graphics, the clunky animations and gameplay, and the questionable character designs, but to no avail.”
    • “I'm really hoping that in the future there will be more story and character development added, like in previous titles.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The stability of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and latency issues, particularly in online play. While some players note that performance can be acceptable on high-end systems, the overall experience is marred by bugs and inconsistent matchmaking, leading to frustration among the community.

    • “To me, 4K runs perfectly; the game also has the option of ray tracing, which is barely a dealbreaker, but on my system, it runs great.”
    • “Worst KOF in the whole series, buggy, doesn't feel good to control. If you play it and call it good, you should honestly reconsider your choices. Play 98UMF or 13 instead; don't buy this.”
    • “Start to fix your broken, laggy, buggy game, SNK!”
    • “The game crashes and freezes constantly and randomly, and it has nothing to do with PC settings, since mine is capable of running much more demanding games. The problem lies in KOF XV's build and its weird behavior.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its diverse roster of 39 characters and various playstyle possibilities, alongside a story mode that features multiple endings and unlockable music. While the story mode itself is relatively short, it encourages replay through different team combinations and the addition of trials mode. The improved matchmaking and rollback netcode enhance the online experience, making competitive play more accessible and enjoyable.

    • “Replayability: 39 characters that expand the playstyle possibilities to amazing horizons.”
    • “Pros: It has a wide roster, deep systems, a good amount of content like trials mode, replayable story mode, and a lot of unlockable music.”
    • “Lots in story mode, though short, have much replay value with special endings and bonus music to unlock at a crazy amount (you can then set them to any arena you choose).”
    • “The story mode is a decent arcade experience but doesn't really have any replayability (other than seeing new endings and unlocking music which requires playing through story mode with different teams).”
    • “Lots in story mode though short much replay value with special endings and bonus music to unlock at a crazy amount (you can then set them to any arena you choose).”
    • “Even if they're playable in XV, they're DLCs so they're canonically still not in the main plot.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for adding personality and light-heartedness, enhancing the overall experience for both casual and competitive players. Players appreciate the entertaining character designs and funny epilogues, while some humorous moments arise from gameplay quirks, such as audio glitches during rollback. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “I love his exceptional character design, music, engaging combat system, and delightful humor.”
    • “The humor is entertaining, and it adds personality and light-heartedness to each match, making it an enjoyable experience for both casual and competitive players.”
    • “What I mean is, if you finish the story with a specific non-canon team, you will unlock extra epilogues, with some pretty arts and some of the epilogues are funny.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while the game features engaging characters and lore, the grinding aspect can feel tedious, especially for newcomers. However, many players find motivation in the fast-paced and well-balanced gameplay, with ample opportunities for single-player grinding. For those focused on ranked play, it may be advisable to invest time in casual matches to improve before diving into competitive play.

    • “I love the characters and lore, but actually playing them always feels tedious to me.”
    • “If you don't have previous experience with the series, it will be grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply resonant, highlighting a nostalgic connection to the franchise's history and a sense of wholesomeness in the character storylines. The attention to detail in character endings enhances the overall emotional experience, making it memorable and impactful.

    • “I found it to be a very wholesome experience, and there's so much attention to detail in terms of the long history of the King of Fighters franchise and even the other franchises such as Art of Fighting and Fatal Fury.”
    • “The 'wholesome' story truly shines in each of those character endings.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere in KOF14 is vibrant and immersive, with lively arenas that enhance the feeling of a real tournament. However, some players express disappointment over a perceived downgrade in overall atmosphere compared to its predecessor, despite improvements in character models and a shorter campaign.

    • “In KOF14, the arenas were full of life and really added atmosphere to the fight, making it feel like an actual tournament was being watched by fans.”
    • “In KOF14, the arenas were full of life and really added atmosphere to the fight, like an actual tournament was being watched by fans.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game's monetization model includes season passes, referred to as "team passes," but is generally viewed positively as it avoids aggressive tactics like excessive DLC or in-game ads, particularly in single-player modes.

    • “It does have season passes (well, 'team passes'), but this is one of the few fighting games that is not openly going straight for your wallet, having 90% of its content as DLC, or doing shameless things like putting ads (let alone ads on single-player content) between matches.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, with essential features locked behind paywalls that make it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't bombard you with microtransactions, but the limited free content makes it feel like a constant push to spend more.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV

Play time

12hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
12-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News