Killer Instinct Reviews
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.
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?
Killer Instinct is a budget-priced title that looks better than most next-generation projects we've seen so far. Once the rest of the add-ons are actually finished, this could even be one of the best titles in fighting games.
At launch, Killer Instinct serves as a solid foundation for what could eventually become a good fighting game. More characters and stages are coming down the line, but at launch, the game's limited single and multiplayer modes are glaring and will grow stale quickly.
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 title.
Excellent mechanics and incredible playability make up for Killer Instinct's shortage of single-player content. Franchise fans and fighting game junkies will be most pleased.
Though the roster limits the possibilities a bit, Killer Instinct makes a triumphant return with smart, fluid fighting.
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.
Killer Instinct knows how to be technical to the core for those who want to deepen certain mechanics, but at the same time not unattainable even by those who do not know what a "frame trap" is.
Review in Italian | Read full review
An excellent reboot of an unfairly forgotten fighter, but the way it's being sold does it no favours and severally restricts the fun to be had online.
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.
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.
Killer Instinct won't win awards. At the end of this new generation, it won't turn up in the lists of greatest console launch titles ever. And it won't cause the established fighting game creators - the Capcoms and Namco Bandais of this world - to fear for their jobs. But its heart - and its business model - are in the right place. Success!
The revival of the old-school fighting game has over-the-top appeal but still feels like a half-strength title, even when you buy everything.
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.
Killer Instinct may not be the new king of fighting games, and it feels a bit rushed in terms of content, but it is very solid and far exceeds my expectations for it. 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. It'll be interesting to see what the community at large thinks of it over time, but in my living room, it's a welcome addition to my fighting game roster.
If only there were more of it across more characters that had a story, Killer Instinct would be gold. But as it stands, it's not yet living up to the potential the series has.
As it stands, the lack of content keeps Killer Instinct from achieving greatness — the lackluster look of the game doesn't do it any favors either — but Double Helix has put together a very promising first step.
Killer Instinct shows you the ropes quite well and has a combo system that's fun to execute, though slightly less fun to defend against.
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.