KOF 2K1: A Misunderstood Gem

There's been a lot of talk about SvC bringing the noise, as well as SS0 and the new Slug. Some posts have claimed KOF a corpse in the shadow of the "new batch". No one cares to speculate on new KOF storylines or characters, instead focusing all energy into the afore-mentioned games. All the while, a series that has kept the Neo vital to gamers quietly sits, waiting to pounce back into our collective conciousness once again.

That said, I'd like to focus on a game that, IMHO, hasn't received the respect it deserves around here: KOF 2K1.

KOF 2K1 is, in many eyes, the red-headed cousin sent to live with us from our mysterious gypsy aunt that smells like cheese. He looks like he's related, and acts like he's related, except for that weird accent and funny way he ties his shoes. So, some write him off, saying, "The way he talks is weird" or "What's that he's doing with our toys? We don't play like that?! Stop it, Sigmund...!"

Uh, sorry...

Anyway, my point is that Eolith (the Gypsy Aunt) sent us something new; Something that looked like KOF, and acted like KOF, but had strange additions and changes that threw a lot of the hard-core for a loop. The resulting backlash has seriously marred 2K1, and for no good reason, except radical differences and an unusual appearence.

People rag on the BG's and music. Ask anyone. The first thing they'll mention about KOF is the "lousy" music and "boring" BGs. Well, these things are certainly different, but I'd hardly call them lousy. Music first. To describe it as Techno would be to over-simplify. Certainly, there is a lot of sample-style riffs, and a Drum'n'Bass feel, but we're not talking "MORTAL KOMBAT!!!" here. To me, it feels like a Euro take on the existing KOF music. Kinda jazzy-trip, with a solid back-beat. It's different, and not as "soundtrack" friendly as former KOF's, but there is a charm to it that gets overlooked in favor of comparison-trashing. The BGs also get this treatment from the "fans". I've heard "bland and boring", "Not up to par" and the like. While parallax is nonexistant, and there is no change between rounds at ALL, the BG's please me for the sheer population within them. I love seeing that hot Italien chick shaking her ass on the boat in Italy. I dig the Kabuki dancers swingig their heads in Japan. I enjoy the jumbled streets of USA and the snows of Korea. In addition, I like how the pre-fight intro highlites some of the little scenes within the BGs. It's a simple, nice touch that harkens back to, and pays tribute to, the past KOFs and other greats in the SNK library.

I'll also go out on a limb and say that the character artwork is not nearly as bad as some critics claim, and leagues better than the "vintage" SNK work in KOF 97. I'm talking, specifically, about the win-portraits.

Enough with aesthetics. 2k1 gave us all something we should be thankful for: Solid, engaging gameplay.

Eolith gave us:
1: A Striker system that actually impacts gameplay and strategy, as well as being...
2: A combo-lovers wet-dream
3: A super meter system that creates strategy; deciding whether to trade the cheap distraction (striker)for the punishment-inducer/possible opening for your OWN punishment if it misses.
4: SDMs you don't have to telegraph with an armor mode or a flashing red life-bar.
5: New, playable and interesting characters.

K9999 is a beast, with simple, punishing moves, tremendous supers and a crazy design that, while obviously a tribute to Tetsuo in "AKIRA", manages to exude its own attitude and place in the KOF storyline.

Angel, with her virtua-fighter style moveset is as unique as any seen in the series. It pays in pain for your opponent and fun for you to learn to use her proficiently.

May Lee can be played easily, wih her long reach and quickness, but mastering her requires even another mindset.

Foxy, probably the most traditional of the games new-comers, is still an interesting addition and fun to use, as well as having some really great win-poses and design. (Yes, I realize she's an SNK original from 2000)

6: Finally, Eolith gave us one of the best bosses to see the light of Cathode-Ray day. Igniz is a monster, with amazing moves and attitude to spare. Certainly more menacing to watch than Orochi, and far more fresh than "lovable" Rugal, who should've stayed dead after 98.

I could say more about the character specific win-quotes and the return of Heidern and Goro. The giant roster in general. Re-vamped moves. Iori's SDM. But I've gone on long enough. Just know this: KOF 2K1 is solid gaming on the Neo. Love it. Don't leave it.

I pretty much agree with all of your post.
At least there's original material in the game...
Same can't be said for King of Fighters 2002.

I could not agree more.
2k1 is jam packed with style and gameplay. It's my personal favorite installment. For a lot of reasons.
The ratio/team system is incredible. Like strikers? The game works. Hate them? The game works.
Not to mention the tweaks made to the game engine. For some reason 2k1 just feels so much faster. I can't explain it, but this is a very refined combo system. KOF gameplay simply doesn't get any better than this.
The artwork, while very different from the previous games, is actually kind of refreshing because of this fact. And I totally agree with what you said, the art is leagues better than that of 97. (small heads, huge bodies)
The music is also now where near as bad as anyone says. With the exception of Marvel VS Capcom 2, no videogame soundtrack has ever struck me as "bad". Again it's different. And this is a great thing, considering KOF is a annual event, it's nice to see small changed like this done in the hope and ideals of keeping the series fresh.
But underneath all of this is what really makes 2k1 shine. The polish. I love everything they did to make the game what it is. I love the winquotes (something I wish they would put even more effort in, maybe having fight intros like SVC) I love the way that the fights starts with the 2k1 screen transition. I love the ROUND 1 font, the way that the round number spins in place. I love the announcer.
Everything about 2k1 is top tier. Everything.
I just don't understand how so many people hate it. The game plays like a dream.
Nice to see someone giving it respect, and for that, you earn mine. buttrock
*Ninja Vanish*

I also like KOF2K1 a lot. In fact I have been
playing none stop ever since it came out.
The gameplay keeps me coming for more, it's my
style.

I love the combo system and I also dig the artwork.
I don't care much about the bg's. I like
the music as well.

Easily my favorite KOF, and one of my favorite fighters of all time.

Great Great Post Sklabah!

I love 2001 too,it's my favourite KOF!

That's what I am talking about. See, here is the appreciation KOF 2001 deserves. I know the character art is viewed as the worst in the series, but I like it becuase it is clean and proportionate. Yes, some of the poses look goofy and nothing like the character at all. However, as stated in this thread previously, it is a refreshing change.

2k1 is my favorite but 2k2 is getting there, sorry i like it and its growing on me. Dare i say it? YES i also think MS4, ROTD, and Matrimelee all rock in their own ways, all good releases IMO.

yes, and there are only 152 of them left at the Neo Store for 175 dollars! Hurry, there are still 12 bonus shirts available.

KOF 2001 is probably the best gameplaywise. But, the letdowns are cheap music, and bland backgrounds. But, if you can overlook the bg's and music, you can enjoy KOF 2001. I have KOF 2001, and I play the fuck out of it, because it's the newest KOF I have, and it's the only one that I have that has pratice mode.

The character art in KOF2001 is actually the very best in the series.

After years and years of totally plain and lame design, almost with no attitute at all, they took their risk to make portraits actually matching the spite design and personal attitude of each chara.

KOF2001 select screen it tops, also because KOF2001 simply sports the best roster in the series period. Winning portrais also are full of style. Serious character got serious artwork, more comical character got mor comical artwork. To each his own, and it totally works.

KOF2001 is just full of style from every single aspect you regard it.

The fact KOF2002 came after this gem is a real shame, as KOF2002 stands as the lower point of the whole series, the poor and lame 99%-cut&paste work it is.

KOF 2002's gameplay was off also. KOF 2002 jus' didn't have the gameplay feel like the other KOFs. So, I think KOF 2002 is probably my least liked KOF.

Shito:
The character art in KOF2001 is actually the very best in the series.

After years and years of totally plain and lame design, almost with no attitute at all, they took their risk to make portraits actually matching the spite design and personal attitude of each chara.

KOF2001 select screen it tops, also because KOF2001 simply sports the best roster in the series period. Winning portrais also are full of style. Serious character got serious artwork, more comical character got mor comical artwork. To each his own, and it totally works.

KOF2001 is just full of style from every single aspect you regard it.

The fact KOF2002 came after this gem is a real shame, as KOF2002 stands as the lower point of the whole series, the poor and lame 99%-cut&paste work it is.

Click to expand...

What they need to do is get the guy who did SVC to do the character art. I know some peole complain about it being pretty wild, but I absolutely love it! It just has such a unique flair.

<img src="http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hpman/kof2k1m.gif" alt=" - " />

Thank god, Gifs don't have sound...

KOF 2k1 in my opinion is not misunderstood but a good step away from 2k and a bridge to 2k2.
While it had inconsistent damages for some character ala '95/'96 it did introduce new characters.

KOF2k2 is by far one of the cleanest KOFs since '98. It is quite flowing and has enough depth to keep one interested for a while.
The Max Mode system in particular is worth mentioning.

But overall, the state of KOF is crippled by the hardware and effort of the given companies involved but what can one really expect from a non-mainstream genre.

the roker:

Shito:
The character art in KOF2001 is actually the very best in the series.

After years and years of totally plain and lame design, almost with no attitute at all, they took their risk to make portraits actually matching the spite design and personal attitude of each chara.

KOF2001 select screen it tops, also because KOF2001 simply sports the best roster in the series period. Winning portrais also are full of style. Serious character got serious artwork, more comical character got mor comical artwork. To each his own, and it totally works.

KOF2001 is just full of style from every single aspect you regard it.

The fact KOF2002 came after this gem is a real shame, as KOF2002 stands as the lower point of the whole series, the poor and lame 99%-cut&paste work it is.

Click to expand...

What they need to do is get the guy who did SVC to do the character art. I know some peole complain about it being pretty wild, but I absolutely love it! It just has such a unique flair.

Click to expand...

Ahem... not to disappoint yo, but he IS actually the same. I mean, both KOF2001 and SvC share the same artist in term of both manual and in-game artwork.

/\/\/\He was definately drunk when he did 2k1.

SVC's art looks awesome.

btw, I'm refering to the character potraits released by SNKP on their website. I'm only assuming these are the same as in the game.

Hurry there's only 152 left!

the roker:
/\/\/\He was definately drunk when he did 2k1.

SVC's art looks awesome.

btw, I'm refering to the character potraits released by SNKP on their website. I'm only assuming these are the same as in the game.

Click to expand...

Artist name is NONA. Artwork wise, SVC is just more conventional than KOF2001 anyway.

NONA is also a sperimentator. He used interesting colouring tecniques in KOF2002 artwork as well.

When I play KOF 2001, I honestly believe theres no better year for Iori.
That forward+B link changes everything.

ahahah

I like this kind of thread! One year ago, everyody (or quite everybody) spitted on this game. Now it seems to be misunderstood gem. It took you all this time to understand that this game was great. What a waste.
Rendez vous in 2004 for the thread called " KOF2002 a misunderstood gem".
See you

HPMAN:
<img src="http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hpman/kof2k1m.gif" alt=" - " />

Thank god, Gifs don't have sound...

Click to expand...

Is this a real BG in KOF 2K1??

(trying to add SOMETHING to the topic) I've never played 2K1 myself, but what little playing of KOF 2K2 I did against Qube (with my Maxima practically getting a perfect against his beloved Angel, admittedly his Kula destroyed my whole team though) at the arcade I found enjoyable. But I still like 98 best, followed shortly by 99. Maybe if 2K1 drops to around $70 for a loose cart I'd consider picking it up.

DanAdamKOF:

HPMAN:
<img src="http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hpman/kof2k1m.gif" alt=" - " />

Thank god, Gifs don't have sound...

Click to expand...

Is this a real BG in KOF 2K1??

(trying to add SOMETHING to the topic) I've never played 2K1 myself, but what little playing of KOF 2K2 I did against Qube (with my Maxima practically getting a perfect against his beloved Angel, admittedly his Kula destroyed my whole team though) at the arcade I found enjoyable. But I still like 98 best, followed shortly by 99. Maybe if 2K1 drops to around $70 for a loose cart I'd consider picking it up.

Click to expand...

Dan...you're such a mong...


I too love '01. Especially the newcomers. I understand some don't like them but what do they know? :B

robert:
I like this kind of thread! One year ago, everyody (or quite everybody) spitted on this game. Now it seems to be misunderstood gem. It took you all this time to understand that this game was great. What a waste.
Rendez vous in 2004 for the thread called " KOF2002 a misunderstood gem".
See you

Click to expand...

For the record, I've always felt that 2001 was a great game, despite the fact that the backgrounds and music aren't up to par. 2001 was exactly what the series needed: something different. 2001 doesn't play like ANY of the previous games in the series, and while I'll admit the gameplay can be sometimes broken, I've had a ton of fun with this game.

My main gripe here is the people here that constantly bitch about KoF not having anything new or different, and then immediately turn around and put down 2001 because it's so new and different. I guess I'm also a bit biased since I could honestly care little about backgrounds since if you're playing the game you really don't have time to comment in the middle of a fight about how pretty the graphics are. It really wouldn't surprise me either if SNK got the same kind of negative feedback when KoF '99 came out just because of the strikers...

I'm willing to bet that KoF 2002 was designed to be a general rehash of '98 (i.e. no innovation) because Playmore got so many complaints about 2001. From Playmore's perspective, it sounds to them like their fans don't WANT innovation, so why should they bother trying something different?