IGN today has written a very in-depth preview of the new Killer Instinct for Xbox One. A small portion of it is posted below, so visit IGN for the full preview!
Six characters at launch with another two on the way is a bit light, but unlike a lot of fighters with casts that are 30 strong, every character in Killer Instinct feels distinct, developed, and immediately enjoyable to mess around with. Sabrewulf’s up-close mixup potential is brutal, Sadira’s air mobility is bonkers, and a good Glacius player smothers the screen, controlling real estate at will with far-reaching, risky normals. Right now, pretty much every match-up is interesting, and thanks to the mind games inherent to its systems, even mirror matches are a good time.
All the other nuances I’ve come to expect out of a great fighter are here as well. Meter management is very important, as shadow moves, shadow counters, and the new “Instinct” mode all have a myriad of offensive and defensive applications. Shadow counters let you to attack out of block stun with one hit of armor added, allowing you to punish moves that would normally be safe on block if your timing is on point. Activating Instinct mode returns your character to a neutral state, so you can make blocked attacks safe, or create combos that wouldn’t normally be possible. Each character’s Instinct mode grants them unique abilities as well, leading to some great setups for creative-minded players.
Killer Instinct: What’s in Training Mode
Yet, despite how far KI has come in becoming a legitimately deep 2D fighter, it remains fun at the entry level. Controls are responsive, basic combo construction is easy to grasp, and the spectacular looking backgrounds and special effects will certainly keep casual players entertained. And if they decide to get more serious, Dojo mode is the most exhaustive interactive fighting game tutorial ever made. Featuring 32 multi-part lessons, it covers everything from basic movement, to how to read frame and hit-box data – which amazingly, is provided in the training mode.
