The King of Fighters series has enough pedigree to need very little in the way of introduction. For well over a decade, the original arcade classic has been expanded and refined, resulting in larger rosters, more complex move sets, and some of the best two dimensional fighting out there. The only thing the series had lacked was a technologically up to date edition. The King of Fighters XII is indeed more modern than previous entries, yet one cannot help feeling that the game has been stripped down. The single player modes are short and lacking; the fighting itself is solid but not outstanding; and the multiplayer is marred by lag that slows the action down enough to significantly affect the gameplay. The only thing that makes this entry worthwhile is some flashy new graphics, which is not really enough to justify a purchase for most.

Unlike some of today's fighting games, The King of Fighters XII lacks any real story. Instead, the game focuses on a simple tournament in which teams of three fighters compete through successive stages of opponents, attempting to defeat them in the fastest time. This bare bones narrative package will be something of a let down for fans of the series, as the reoccurring plot that did exist throughout the series is entirely absent. For those who are new to the franchise, the lack of any background information could keep them experiencing the game at an arm's length. The player is ultimately left with no direction when it comes to choosing characters for your group or understanding your opponents. Either way, the decision to leave a story out hurts the game, as even a weak plot line can provide a nice backdrop in a fighting game.

Flashy graphics can't make up for KOF XII's many shortcomings.

Getting through the tournament makes up most of what there is to do while playing the single-player modes. There is a practice area, but beyond that there really is not much to do on your own. This fact becomes especially damaging to the game's overall quality and value once you realize how short the tournament is. In less than half an hour you will have completed the single player portion of the game with your first team of three, and the lack of anything that truly grabs you in the experience will likely leave you less than excited to play again. Compounded by this is a relatively small character list, with only twenty-two fighters, compared to previous editions in the series which have had over thirty. With that much of a drop off, any fan of the series is sure to find a favorite character missing. This dearth of characters coupled with the aforementioned lack of single player modes badly hurts the value of this game.

While not spectacular, the combat system in KOF XII gets the job done. Fights are fast paced, strategic and diverse. Some characters have new fighting styles that redefine the experience of playing as them. Others remain true to their classic selves and will bring a rush of nostalgia to long time fans of the series. The only real drawback is that most fighting styles have been simplified to make the game more accessible. On the bright side, there is a great diversity and balance in the styles offered, allowing you to choose whomever you please, without having to worry about always being defeated by that more powerful team in the fourth round.

That is, the fighting engine is completely balanced. Any trio can defeat any other trio when played well enough. The combinations that are employed by your fighters are similarly well done. Controls are responsive in local play and super combos can be pulled off without the aid of an arcade stick. Beyond using special combinations, you will find yourself countering opponents, using knockdowns, and using jump attacks that allow you to juggle your enemies while they are in mid-air. This variety makes every fight feel a little bit different, as it allows for each fighter to play with a personalized strategy. If only the rest of the game was better.

The online multiplayer is sadly the worst part of this game. In a place where a fighting game should find its lasting value by offering extraordinary diversity in styles and skills, KOF XII really falls flat. The problem is found in the fact that there is an inordinate amount of lag. The slow down in animation messes up the timing for combinations, blocking and all other aspects of the fighting. The online fighting is, very simply, unresponsive, and almost unplayable. If you were absolutely set on playing this game, then you could train yourself to time your button presses to go along with the slowed down response, but it really is not worth it. There is a fairly elaborate ranking system that allows you to fight in a couple of types of ranked matches based on your taste. If, say, the game is updated with a major fix in the coming months, the multiplayer could become a strength. As is, however, it is clumsy, slow and exactly the opposite of what a fast paced strategic fighting game should be.

Environments are vibrant and well populated. Sadly, there are too few of them.

It's a good thing that the graphical coat of paint that makes up such a great portion of this game's appeal is well done. While the animation, shading and overall artistic quality do not stand out above other fighting games, they do fit in well as quality elements of the presentation. The levels are nicely done, being well populated and vibrant. Yet, there are not many of them, and in time they can get a bit repetitive. One nice touch to the graphics comes in the texture department. An effort has been made to maintain some of the feel of the older games by mimicking the overall look of the older visual sprites within the updated model. This gimmick is kind of hit or miss, but whether you like it or not, it is a unique touch that sets the style apart from the rest of the pack.

The sound stands out much less than the graphics, as it provides what amounts to standard fare for the genre. The voice work is satisfactory, considering that everybody speaks with a Japanese accent. The background music is vibrant enough to carry the action, and the sound effects get the job done. That's all there is for presentation, which is a little sad considering that the update should have been such a big deal. The overall package is good, but there is nothing worth writing home about.

Because of the extremely shallow single player options available and the broken nature of the multiplayer, there really is very little of value in The King of Fighters XII. The game may give you a few hours of nostalgic fun if you are a long time fan of the series, but the only way that it will overcome much older versions of the game is if you happen to be extraordinarily interested in the graphical update. In all likelihood, it will leave you disappointed. The King of Fighters XII is a title that tries to go back to the basics for a storied franchise, but instead of offering an accessible game, the developers deliver an entry that feels stripped down and shallow.