Ever get the feeling KoF 2002 is the LAST KoF?

Tarma · Jan 22, 2003

I hope I'm wrong about this, I really do... but there's lots about KoF 2k2 that seems to point to this.

There's the roster - best roster since '98 undoubtedly, but a lot of the teams feature the key characters from previous years. It just feels like a pick of 'the best' characters from each previous installment to create a 'The Best of KoF Roster'. It's difficult to explain, go and study the rosters for '94 - 2k1 and then look at 2k2. Hopefully you'll understand what I'm getting at.

There's the sub title to... - Challenge to Ultimate Battle - how can it be the ultimate battle if it's not the last?
If something is the 'ultimate' it suggests that the thing is the pinacle, the best of the best, you can get no better...

In game graphics - lots and lots of references to previous KoF games (as well as AoF and Fatal Fury). It's not unusual for any SNK game to have characters from a prior episode or SNK title to appear in the bg, but have you noticed actually how many SNK characters GET referenced? There's loads! Why? To me it signals a reminder - 'sorry we can't put all the characters in for you to select, but we'll have them there for you in some capacity'

Rugal - the first ever KoF boss, and a patently obvious candidate for the last. The way he dies seems to indicate he isn't coming back. In previous KoF's you never actually see him die you just assume he does.

The end sequence. It just feels too much like a homage to the series... and the pic at the end with rugal surrounded by all the past KoF bosses...

The fact that Playmore have got rid of strikers and gone back to the original KoF formula...

I dunno... doesn't seem to bode well for me... frown

BryLmoo · Jan 22, 2003

que nirvana song "you know your right"

one, two, three..

yeeeeeeeeaaaahhhhh yeeeeeeaaaaahhhhh yeeeeaaahhhh

you know your riiiiiiiiiiiiiight

Hot Chocolate · Jan 22, 2003

I thought of it as a an apology of sorts, i mean it couldn't be the last one cause King wasn't even in it and SHE is a staple member of KoF.

As for the ultimate thing, i think of it as just a way to put more "umph" into the title. I mean look at Final Fantasy, if it's so final why is it still going? It's going on what 12 to 13 parts now??

As for the Rugal thing, maybe this is the last time he'll be used in a KoF game since there are some who did cry fowl when it was revealed he was the boss this/last year or as another apology for us having to deal with Krizalid. Since if there is a 2k3 wouldn't you want it to get off to a fresh new start which does include getting rid of some fav from the past.

Maybe you're right and I'm wrong, maybe I'm right and you're wrong? Neither one of us will know until those wacky boyz at playmore step forward and tell us

insaneben · Jan 22, 2003

The last one, you say? HA! I'll believe that when (and if) a year goes by without a new KOF. Seriously, if they had left King, Shingo, Jhun, and Lin in the game, and added in endings (as well as Chizuru and Saishu in the BGs), I'd probably would've believed your statement about the possibilty of it being the FINAL KOF game. But since they're not in it (who knows whether or not they were intentionally left out?), there's always the possibility that they may return, and with it, the possibility of yet another KOF. Besides, I think it's a little too early to judge whether or not they'll be a new KOF in 2003 (and what it'll be like). No new info will be released until August (I predict), so until then, keep on enjoying the King of Fighters 2002 (at least until the next one rolls around).

Edit: Though I didn't really latch on to the KOF scene until early 2001, I heard from a bunch of older members that KOF '97 and '98 were supposed to be the last games in the series. Guess what happened the following year?

[ January 22, 2003, 08:54 PM: Message edited by: insaneben ]

EVIL NICK · Jan 22, 2003

I hope you're right ( meaning 2K2 IS the last KOF )...
Let it end on a high note...
There's no way it would run until 2008 on the MVS, so the next saga wouldn't be complete...

And it would be nice to see some other series released...

Like Samurai Shodown 5!! buttrock

OrochiEddie · Jan 22, 2003

funny thing about that pic with rugal surounded by the past bosses, look at them closely. Notice anything? i have the pic in my sig so look. Notice there are chipped parts on them? they're statues, also remember rugal trophied his fallen oponents in this manner. So maybe it's saying no other boss can compete with him.

Sorry for that since it had nothing to do with the topic at hand but you mentiond that picture so i had to say

I think KOF is going on it's last years On the neo. I think this may be the final Neo-geo KOF or one of the. Thats what all those signs may be. Look at all your SNK freind for the last time on the NEO. maybe Playmore is heading towards new technology. WE can only hope.

[ January 22, 2003, 09:11 PM: Message edited by: OrochiEddie ]

RiotoftheBlood · Jan 22, 2003

Okay, a few points I'd like to make:

* Tarma: You do see Rugal die in '95. In fact it's the same death as in 2002 (with the skull).

* In the above picture, WHO is above Rugal? Did I miss out on something here? What I've been thinking is this:

'94 : First Game in series (1 game)
'95-'96: Orochi Saga (3 games)
'98 : Dream Match (1 game)
'99-'01: NESTS Saga (3 games)
'02 : Dream Match (1 game)

Notice how there is a pattern. '94 started things off. Then we had a four-year period sequence of three games with a storyline and then one dream match. In the last four years we've seen the same thing.

So what I think (and hope) is that there will be one more game, and the character above Rugal is going to be the end-all, be-all KOF boss.
I doubt there will be another 3-year saga (anytime soon).

MilkManX · Jan 23, 2003

It is hard to tell. I get that feeling as well Tarma. It would be strange to have a year without some KOF though.

TheBigBB · Jan 23, 2003

I wanted Shingo! crying crying crying

Fran · Jan 23, 2003

last kof?

you gotta be kidding

they left out shingo,king,chizuru,the sports team,lib,bao,saisyu on purpose for 2003

every year is the same story

oooh,this kof will be the last

heard this in 97

then in 98

its a dream match,man,they're saying...like...goodbye

then 99

then 2000

all the strikers like neo & geo,g mantle,king lion and all those other characters from ALL the various snk games

but still 2000 wasnt gonna be the last one

the story clearly anticipated 2001

and 2001 anticipated 2003

2002 is just an alright game with a few older sprites in it,thats all

and that ending is a SHAME

seriously

NeoGML · Jan 23, 2003

Fran, i don't see why you'd think that at all.

Think about it man, it's 2003. KOF is over.

I think that KOF 2002 is an excellent game, better than 98.

I think it's a perfect way to end KOF, because '02 gameplay is the zenith of the series.

Fuck backgrounds. '02 plays better than KOF ever has.

It's too bad though, i sorta wanted shingo too.

Oh well.

SonGohan · Jan 23, 2003

I personally would like to see them end it with kof 2k4.. for obvious reasons

Orochi_Flava · Jan 23, 2003

OrochiEddie:
funny thing about that pic with rugal surounded by the past bosses, look at them closely. Notice anything? i have the pic in my sig so look. Notice there are chipped parts on them? they're statues, also remember rugal trophied his fallen oponents in this manner. So maybe it's saying no other boss can compete with him.

Sorry for that since it had nothing to do with the topic at hand but you mentiond that picture so i had to say

I think KOF is going on it's last years On the neo. I think this may be the final Neo-geo KOF or one of the. Thats what all those signs may be. Look at all your SNK freind for the last time on the NEO. maybe Playmore is heading towards new technology. WE can only hope.

You have brought up something I didnt notice...that they ARE statues...and Rugal trophies whoever he can defeat (pretty much anyone beside's Orochi himself once in Omega Form...Kyo didnt defeat him in 95..nor did anyone else...) I like the fact that they bring him back every couple of years, although I wish they would just add a storyline to him. It's not hard to imagine him mastering his orochi power...I mean, the guy LIVES by learning other's techniques and mastering them for his own style. You gotta give the guy credit also for going over to Capcom's camp, and beating Akuma's ass which Capcom has NEVER let anyone do..not Ryu, NOT Bison, and NOT even Gil.

There is still plenty of room in the KOF storyline...but the game needs a fresh new board, new animations, and a new direction to get the attention from the masses that it deserves... Looks what Graphics alone did for Final Fantasy back in the FF7 days. Maybe a different lead character from the existing line up every year for the next arc.

Orochi_Flava · Jan 23, 2003

RiotoftheBlood:
Okay, a few points I'd like to make:

* Tarma: You do see Rugal die in '95. In fact it's the same death as in 2002 (with the skull).

* In the above picture, WHO is above Rugal? Did I miss out on something here? What I've been thinking is this:

'94 : First Game in series (1 game)
'95-'96: Orochi Saga (3 games)
'98 : Dream Match (1 game)
'99-'01: NESTS Saga (3 games)
'02 : Dream Match (1 game)

Notice how there is a pattern. '94 started things off. Then we had a four-year period sequence of three games with a storyline and then one dream match. In the last four years we've seen the same thing.

So what I think (and hope) is that there will be one more game, and the character above Rugal is going to be the end-all, be-all KOF boss.
I doubt there will be another 3-year saga (anytime soon).

The Guy above Rugal is Master Nests, he gets dissolved by Igniz touch in KOF 2k1. They did rumor that he was a great fighter though. The pic clearly show Ol' Rugal as "King of Bosses" however.

RiotoftheBlood · Jan 23, 2003

The Guy above Rugal is Master Nests, he gets dissolved by Igniz touch in KOF 2k1. They did rumor that he was a great fighter though. The pic clearly show Ol' Rugal as "King of Bosses" however. [/QB]

Ah, OK. I have yet to play 2001 in 1P mode seriously, but I am looking forward to it.

[ January 23, 2003, 06:51 PM: Message edited by: RiotoftheBlood ]

Terry Power · Jan 24, 2003

I still want to see Rock in FF team!
The Kim Brothers in Korean Team!

IheartDavey · Jan 24, 2003

KOF 2002 can't be the finale. You cannot end the series with a non-King episode.

King definitly rules!

EVIL NICK · Jan 24, 2003

Orochi_Flava:
You gotta give the guy credit also for going over to Capcom's camp, and beating Akuma's ass which Capcom has NEVER let anyone do..not Ryu, NOT Bison, and NOT even Gil.

Gen beat Akuma... wink
I think he killed him, too...

insaneben · Jan 24, 2003

IheartDavey:
KOF 2002 can't be the finale. You cannot end the series with a non-King episode.

King definitly rules!

Here here!
King Of Fighters can't end without a complete solid lineup (which Eolith/Playmore had the potential to do, but clearly didn't do so), and all the loose threads tied up (see the endings for KOF 2001 to see what I'm talking about). It ain't over 'til Playmore says so!

Orochi_Flava · Jan 25, 2003

EVIL NICK:

Orochi_Flava:
You gotta give the guy credit also for going over to Capcom's camp, and beating Akuma's ass which Capcom has NEVER let anyone do..not Ryu, NOT Bison, and NOT even Gil.

Click to expand...

Gen beat Akuma... wink
I think he killed him, too...

Gen Never beat Akuma..it was the other way around...that's why he isnt in street fighter 2 (if u go by capcoms screwed up storylines)

Ignition · Jan 25, 2003

I personally wish for King of Fighters to last as long as possible. I would hate to see it end!

EVIL NICK · Jan 25, 2003

Orochi_Flava:

EVIL NICK:

Orochi_Flava:
You gotta give the guy credit also for going over to Capcom's camp, and beating Akuma's ass which Capcom has NEVER let anyone do..not Ryu, NOT Bison, and NOT even Gil.

Click to expand...

Gen beat Akuma... wink
I think he killed him, too...

Click to expand...

Gen Never beat Akuma..it was the other way around...that's why he isnt in street fighter 2 (if u go by capcoms screwed up storylines)

It's in Gen's SFA3 ending...
He kills Akuma. I think... wink

evil wasabi · Jan 26, 2003

Tarma:
I hope I'm wrong about this, I really do... but there's lots about KoF 2k2 that seems to point to this.

There's the roster - best roster since '98 undoubtedly, but a lot of the teams feature the key characters from previous years. It just feels like a pick of 'the best' characters from each previous installment to create a 'The Best of KoF Roster'. It's difficult to explain, go and study the rosters for '94 - 2k1 and then look at 2k2. Hopefully you'll understand what I'm getting at.

There's the sub title to... - Challenge to Ultimate Battle - how can it be the ultimate battle if it's not the last?
If something is the 'ultimate' it suggests that the thing is the pinacle, the best of the best, you can get no better...

In game graphics - lots and lots of references to previous KoF games (as well as AoF and Fatal Fury). It's not unusual for any SNK game to have characters from a prior episode or SNK title to appear in the bg, but have you noticed actually how many SNK characters GET referenced? There's loads! Why? To me it signals a reminder - 'sorry we can't put all the characters in for you to select, but we'll have them there for you in some capacity'

Rugal - the first ever KoF boss, and a patently obvious candidate for the last. The way he dies seems to indicate he isn't coming back. In previous KoF's you never actually see him die you just assume he does.

The end sequence. It just feels too much like a homage to the series... and the pic at the end with rugal surrounded by all the past KoF bosses...

The fact that Playmore have got rid of strikers and gone back to the original KoF formula...

I dunno... doesn't seem to bode well for me...

There is a very simple explanation for this.

IT'S A DREAMATCH.

The ending only shows Nests Bosses but also shows Ron who might just be the 2003 boss.

RiotoftheBlood · Jan 26, 2003

The ending only shows Nests Bosses but also shows Ron who might just be the 2003 boss. [/QB]

Who is Ron?

Orochi_Flava · Jan 26, 2003

Ron is the Dark ninja that is one of Original Zero's strikers in kof2k1 (The one that knocks you out of block). He also pops up in Benimaru's team ending in 2000, to try to kill Lin.

<img src="http://atlas.imagemagician.com/images/orochieddie/kof2k2nd24.bmp" alt=" - " />That's him on the lower right...next to Rugal's new secretary.

Ever get the feeling KoF 2002 is the LAST KoF?

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