What KOF XV is
KOF XV is a 2.5D fighting game from SNK CORPORATION, the fifteenth main entry in a series that has run since 1994. You pick a team of three fighters and take them into bouts drawn from a roster of 39 playable characters at launch: long-running fan favorites, returning heroes and villains, and new challengers. The presentation uses 3D graphics while fights play out on a 2D plane, so movement and spacing stay readable. Character customization is available, and there is a Story Mode that continues the KOF Saga from the previous game and brings it to a climax.
Fighting as a group
Matches follow the series' traditional 3-on-3 team format, so each round you decide which of your three fighters sends out next. Alongside the familiar tools, KOF XV adds the new SHATTER STRIKE mechanic, and the game is built around fast, high-pressure exchanges. With friends, you can play online PvP using rollback netcode, which is the mode to use when your group is spread across different places. The game also supports Local Multiplayer for playing together in the same room, and Remote Play Together so someone can join your session over the internet. A range of battle options lets you set how matches are played, which is handy for settling on a format the whole group is happy with.
Before you start
Be aware that the character roster grows beyond the base game through DLC characters and costumes listed in the different editions, so confirm which content your group actually has before planning a roster-based session. The store text flags sexual content and nudity among the tags, so keep that in mind for who you play around. Outside of fighting, there is a Gallery holding movies and voice samples, plus a DJ STATION with over 300 songs from the KOF series, which is a nice place to sit between matches. If you are new to fighting games, expect a learning curve around team building and the new SHATTER STRIKE; start with casual bouts against your friends and work out a team you enjoy before taking things seriously.