The King of Fighters XV Reviews

The King of Fighters XV is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
90 / 100
Apr 22, 2023

The King of Fighters XV is a satisfying experience. Changes like making EX moves available without activating Max mode, slowing down the maximum possible attack speed, and improving the responsiveness of the controls make this my favorite The King of Fighters game to date. The ability to access and use music from previous King of Fighters and other SNK games is a fantastic bonus. It's promising, and SNK should expand upon it in the future rather than see it as a standalone effort.

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Az Elias
Top Critic
6 / 10
Aug 9, 2022

As a brand-new mainline entry that follows the previous iteration after over five years, The King of Fighters XV feels a little "by the numbers" in a similar way to how Dead or Alive 6 didn't push on from DOA5. Everything is too familiar, too safe, and lacking those key elements that truly give the impression of the next proper game in the series. The 3D character models still look a bit out of place, the story mode is awful, and there isn't enough done to ease newcomers in. Solid online modes and a large roster, with the addition of cross-play to look forward to, mean there is plenty to like for series fans, though.

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Recommended
May 19, 2022

From the way fighters are presented, through to the incredibly nuanced and layered combat mechanics, the King of Fighters XV proves why it truly is a contender for ‘king’ of fighting games. Although improvements can be made for an even better experience, the game ultimately proves how it deserves a spot amongst the best fighting games available. It simply has it all. Newer players may be hard pressed to enter the arena, but there are so many new inclusions to the formula that the price of entry may be worth the learning curve. This latest title in the franchise has been a long time coming, and there is no doubt the inevitable sequel will finally push the bar up even further. For now, however, the game rests comfortably alongside other fighting game staples.

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6.5 / 10.0
Apr 19, 2022
The King of Fighters 15 (ACTUAL Review) video thumbnail
8 / 10.0
Mar 16, 2022

If you want something to play almost exclusively as a standard person vs. person fighter, particularly if you’re focused on doing so online, then KoF XV is one of the better options available today. If you’re more interested in a title with a variety of options and gameplay modes, then this isn’t it.

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6 / 10.0
Mar 12, 2022

While the core gameplay is at its best, King of Fighters XV goes largely unchanged from its predecessor.

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4.3 / 5.0
Mar 11, 2022

While there are some elements of KOFXV I wish were given more attention to, it's great characters, eye-catching visuals, and intricate yet engaging gameplay make it appealing to both veteran players and newcomers alike.

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Mar 8, 2022

It has to be said that King of Fighters XV is a fantastic game. For long-time franchise fans and newcomers, it is sure to please. SNK is at the peak of the franchise so far. But I can’t help but feel there is a little further to go to get to the summit. As I said, it is a great game, but it doesn’t offer much in terms of anything new. It feels like the previous game, but better. That’s by no means a bad thing. But, I feel that with just a little more content, this could have won the platinum award. It’s not quite an ‘SN-KO’, but it’s close enough. As such, I award King of Fighters XV the Thumb Culture Gold Award.

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7.5 / 10.0
Mar 8, 2022

The King of Fighters XV is among the best entries in the series, but it somehow feels stuck in the 90s. There are great multiplayer possibilities on one hand, and bare-boned singleplayer content with lack of motivation on the other.

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6 / 10
Mar 7, 2022

The King of Fighters XV seems to be extremely loyal to its philosophy by not making much effort to make the experience more appealing to a wider range of fighting players, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you are looking for another Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter, you'll probably be disappointed.

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90 / 100
Mar 6, 2022

A step forward for the saga

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XGN.nl
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Mar 5, 2022

‎Despite not being able to play the game online, we had a lot of fun with the other options. And while it's a shame that the storyline isn't very extensive, that doesn't apply to the offering. The very fact that each character works completely differently is a breath of fresh air in a landscape of clones and makes the game feel like a complete package. Measuring against the two currently occupying the throne isn't happening yet, but if you're simply looking for a good game of fighting with some depth, then you've come to the right place!‎

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Saudi Gamer
Top Critic
8 / 10
Mar 5, 2022

Several leaps forward with one or two stumbles, this is still aimed at the faithful, and they're handsomely rewarded, but those looking for single player content should continue looking.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 4, 2022

King of Fighters XV presented a gameplay loop that sticks to the original series, with a new and beautiful artistic orientation, and an enjoyable story, even with the problems in the online mode and the lack of game modes, it still was very enjoyable

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 4, 2022

The King of Fighters XV does not revolutionize the franchise, but it is very competent in what it proposes to do, bringing its characteristic gameplay in a way that appeals to newcomers and veterans, in addition to having a vast amount of secrets, a competent online mode and a cast At first. If you like fighting games, this is a must-have title for your library.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Mar 3, 2022

The King of Fighters XV is a mechanically and mentally demanding game in which, once you overcome the challenges it throws at you, it becomes one of the best fighting games ever made.

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7 / 10
Mar 3, 2022

Fighting game fans can't really go wrong with King of Fighters XV - a sequel that doesn't shy away from the technical depth of its predecessors. It's obviously still early days, but it feels like SNK has improved upon King of Fighters XIV in all of the ways that matter. Better visuals, expanded mechanics, and, perhaps most importantly, smooth online netcode make for fighter that's hard to fault - even if it's lacking the cutting edge of its peers.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 2, 2022

The series has finally adapted to the present, its future is bright.

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8.4 / 10.0
Mar 2, 2022

The King of Fighters XV is a solid and very fast fighting game that tests your skills. It shows how such a long-lived saga can evolve without losing its essence. Although it offers little content for casual players, the graphical upgrade, new mechanics, and rollback netcode makes the difference. All these changes are noticeable and put the franchise in the right direction.

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Feb 28, 2022

An excellent rebound from the divisive The King of Fighters XIV, KOF XV showcases developer SNK's deep fighting game chops via a creative combat system, vibrant graphics, and many fun extras.

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