Killer Instinct Reviews

Killer Instinct is ranked in the 67th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7.5 / 10.0
Dec 6, 2013

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.

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Feb 6, 2014

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, despite feeling skimpy in some areas.

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Dec 2, 2013

Killer Instinct has the potential to be a top fighting game, but a lack of features and variety of characters hold it back from being something outstanding. Still, with the base game being free, there's no excuse for anyone not to at least try it out.

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8.8 / 10.0
Dec 4, 2013

I hope to see "KI" on the main stage during next year's EVO Championship Series. As a pure fighter, this game is that good. It's missing a lot of what fight fans are used to as genre standards, but I'm hopeful that some of these will be added in the future. "KI's" gameplay makes it the best fighting game in years, and one of the brightest titles in the Xbox One's launch lineup.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 9, 2014

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

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Nov 17, 2013

Killer Instinct is definitely fun, if a bit lacking in depth. The lack of campaign mode and limited character options mean it won't take long for you to breeze through the entirety of the content offering, but the online versus should ensure that you get plenty of enjoyment for your investment.

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70%
Nov 17, 2013

Killer Instinct is by and large a more than satisfying return for a fighting series that's been left on the shelf for far too long. As a modern fighting game, it manages to hold its own against more seasoned stablemates, thanks to its accessibility and hidden depths. Killer Instinct is a superb fighting game that's currently lacking in content. Please sir, can we have some more?

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 2, 2013

Killer Instinct is a beautiful, fun and entertaining fighting game. But the lack of fighters and arcade mode is sorely disappointing.

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7.5 / 10.0
Nov 18, 2013

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.

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6.5 / 10.0
Nov 17, 2013

While I'm still not a fan of Killer Instinct's dial-a-combo mentality nor its eclectic cast of characters, Double Helix's efforts to bring the series back from the dead are commendable—and while some mistakes were made along the way, this is probably the most interesting and enjoyable the franchise has ever been.

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games(TM)
games™ Team
Top Critic
Unscored
Nov 22, 2013

There's plenty of depth to the mechanics here for those that want to sink their teeth into a new fighting system, and there are some informed nods back to the franchise's roots, but if you were intending to buy an Xbox One on the promise of playing this until you could afford another launch game, chances are you'll get bored of it by the end of launch week.

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Cheat Code Central
Top Critic
3.9 / 5.0
Nov 20, 2013

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 certainly has a lot of potential to become a great tournament fighter after we delve deeper into the gameplay system and the roster expands. It just isn't quite there yet.

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8.6 / 10.0
Apr 8, 2016

Killer Instinct Season 3 is a great content addition to the fighting title, the new characters and graphical improvements are a delight for fans. The bad, as always, the wait for the downloadable ones to be seasonal and the feeling of unfinished game that that leaves.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.2 / 10.0
Apr 19, 2016

Killer Instinct is a good fighting title for the Xbox One. The addition of the seasons has given Microsoft reason to return to the series on one platform and not leave it as a traditional product that people could quickly abandon. Hopefully the product grows, for the sake of fighting games and its competitive scene.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Dec 2, 2013

The new 'Killer Instinct' is mired in free-2-play trappings, a lack of content and unnecessary unlock system, is very rough around edges. And yet, the solid and at times pretty fighting twist on 'Street Fighter IV' delivered by the game, is almost a must-own for fighting fans on the new system, which means that long-time fans have no choice but to pony up for 'Ultra Version.' It is almost as though if the game wasn't such a solid fighter, it might been free outright, and the potential (eventuality even) for what has been delivered to sprout a dedicated community, makes buying in now without knowing exact expansion plans and costs a nebulous prospect. Even so, Capcom may find themselves extremely late to the party when they release a fighting game for the Xbox One.

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7 / 10
Nov 27, 2013

Killer Instinct is an incredible fast paced, technical fighter with plenty of Evo tournament potential and ideal for those looking for a combo-centric challenge to master. For the more casual fighting game player it's hard to master and the basics aren't going to cut it once you come face to face with the ridiculous combos that can be unleashed against you.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 10, 2017

With its approachable yet deep fighting system, great tutorial mode, beautiful visuals, fantastic soundtrack and a solid amount of content, Killer Instinct is without a doubt, one of the best fighting games in recent years. It's a must have for all fighting game fans

Review in Persian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Dec 6, 2013

If you're a fighting game fan, it's hard to pass up Killer Instinct's opening price tag of $0. It's a reasonable $19.99 to unlock all the characters from the first season. Either way you look at it, there shouldn't be an Xbox One out there that doesn't have the game installed. 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.

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Nov 25, 2013

Killer Instinct is a brutal, attractive and responsive fighting game that feels fantastic on the new Xbox One controller. Its unique combo system provides accessible depth, bolstered by balanced characters and a pleasingly forward-thinking business model.

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Nov 23, 2018

Intriguing, intense and extreme, Killer7 is as relevant, playable, and valuable as it has ever been.

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