The King of Fighters XIV

Lore & Background

The King of Fighters XIV began development in April 2014 after SNK's CEO Eikichi Kawasaki reoriented the company toward traditional video games. Yasuyuki Oda, who previously worked on Capcom's Street Fighter IV, directed the game. The development team used an internally built engine, rejecting Unreal Engine 4 due to budget and goal constraints. The game retains the series' three-character team system while introducing 'Rush Combo', an automatic combo system for accessibility. It received post-release downloadable content including new characters, outfits, and visual patches. A spin-off manga, The King of Fighters: A New Beginning by Kyōtarō Azuma, ran from 2018 to 2021.

Reader's Guide

The King of Fighters XIV is significant as the first mainline entry to use full 3D character models, a shift from the series' 2D sprite tradition. Its development signaled SNK's renewed commitment to fighting games after years of non-traditional ventures. The game's reception was generally favorable, with critics praising its fighting system for appealing to both newcomers and experts, though its graphics were criticized as inferior to other eighth-generation fighting games. The introduction of Rush Combo aimed to lower the barrier for new players, while Max Mode and Climax Super Special Moves added depth for veterans. The game's story, set four years after The King of Fighters XIII, introduced a new tournament host, Antonov, and a mysterious entity named Verse. The sequel, The King of Fighters XV, was released in 2022. The game's legacy includes its role in revitalizing the franchise and expanding the roster to 58 fighters through downloadable content.

Did You Know?

• The King of Fighters XIV is the first main installment in the series to be rendered entirely in 3D.
• Development began in April 2014 after SNK's CEO decided to return to traditional video games.
• The game introduced 'Rush Combo', an automatic combo system for new players.